You’ve probably been there, headphones in, Spotify playing your favorite playlist or podcast, the lights are out, and you’re slowly drifting off. But a few hours later, your music’s still going, your battery’s drained, or a loud track suddenly wakes you up.
That’s where Spotify’s Sleep Timer comes in. It lets you set a cutoff so playback stops automatically, letting you fall asleep without worrying about your music running all night. In this guide, I’ll show you how to set it up in just a few taps.
Table of Contents
What is Spotify’s Sleep Timer?
Spotify’s Sleep Timer lets you set your music or podcast to stop after a set time like 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Perfect if you love drifting off to playlists or podcasts, it saves you from fumbling with your phone half-asleep. It also helps save your phone’s battery, prevent late-night ads or sudden track interruptions, and improve sleep by avoiding all-night playback.
Right now, the feature is only on Spotify’s iOS and Android apps, not on desktop or web. But don’t worry, I’ve got some smart workarounds for that below.
How to Set a Sleep Timer in Spotify on iPhone and Android
Falling asleep to music or podcasts? Here’s how to make Spotify stop automatically when you do:
- Open Spotify and start playing a song, playlist, or podcast.
- Tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom.
- Tap the three-dot menu (top right).
- Scroll down and select Sleep timer.
- Pick your duration (5 min to 1 hour) or choose End of track.
- You’ll see a quick confirmation. Then just relax – Spotify will pause for you.
Pro tip: Sharing tunes before bed? Start a Jam, then set a timer so the music fades out when you’re ready to crash.
How to Check or Cancel a Sleep Timer on Spotify
To check your timer, go back to the same menu mentioned in the steps above, and you’ll see the remaining time displayed (e.g., “Sleep Timer – 5 minutes left”).
To cancel, simply tap the same menu and select Turn off timer.
Can You Set a Sleep Timer on Spotify Desktop or Web Player?
Currently, Spotify hasn’t introduced a built-in sleep timer on its desktop or web player versions.
But I’ve figured out some workarounds that can help you set a sleep timer on Spotify. Here’s how:
Use Your Computer’s Shutdown Timer:
- On Windows 10, Press Win + X, open Command Prompt, type
shutdown -s -t 1800, and hit Enter to schedule shutdown in 30 minutes. - On Mac, go Apple menu → Choose System Settings → Click Lock Screen → Click the pop-up menu next to Turn display off on battery when inactive, then choose sleep time.
- Smart speakers: If you’re listening through Alexa, Google Nest, or HomePod, simply say,
- “Hey Google, stop playing in 30 minutes,” or “Alexa, set a sleep timer for 1 hour.”
If you like creating long playlists for bedtime listening, try combining playlists on Spotify, then use the Sleep Timer to wrap up playback naturally.
Alternatives If Spotify’s Sleep Timer Doesn’t Work
If your Spotify Sleep Timer isn’t showing up or fails to stop playback, these alternatives can help:
1. Use iPhone Clock App
Here’s a quick way to automatically stop Spotify music at your chosen time on iPhone:
Open the Clock app → Timer → Set duration → When Timer Ends: Stop Playing → Start, then play music. Once the timer ends, all audio stops, including Spotify.
2. Use Android’s Digital Wellbeing or Bedtime Mode
Android users can use Digital Wellbeing or Bedtime mode to automate screen dimming and audio stop times.
3. Use Smart Speaker Timers
If you’re using Spotify on a smart speaker, set the timer through the device itself — “Alexa, stop in 45 minutes” or “Hey Siri, stop after one hour.”
4. Third-Party Timer Apps
Apps like Sleep Timer for Spotify (Android) or Sleep Timer: Stop Music Player (iOS) can do the same job with extra options like fade-out effects.
Note: Third-party apps may need permission to control playback, which could affect privacy or battery life.
Tips for a Better Sleep Experience with Spotify
Want to level up your bedtime listening routine? Try these tips:
- You can create a “Sleep” or “Chill” playlist with soft, instrumental, or ambient sounds.
- Also explore Spotify’s official “Sleep” playlists under the Search → Sleep category.
- Listen to white noise, rain sounds, or calming podcasts instead of lyrical tracks.
- You can turn On Dark Mode and Do Not Disturb on your phone for fewer distractions.
- Pair your timer with a bedtime focus mode (on iPhone or Android) for an even more peaceful routine.
Conclusion
Spotify’s Sleep Timer is a small but game-changing feature. Whether you’re dozing off to a playlist or a late-night podcast, it makes sure the music stops when you do.
So tonight, queue up your favorite mix, set the timer, and fall asleep worry-free. You’ll wake up grateful.
FAQs
Yes, the Sleep Timer works on both free and premium accounts.
Absolutely. It works across all audio types, including playlists, albums, and individual podcast episodes.
You’ll need to restart playback and set a new timer. There’s no auto-extend option (yet).
If you’re using Spotify Connect, the timer might not function correctly once you cast. It’s best to set the timer on the device actually playing the audio.
As of now, there’s no official confirmation, but many users have requested it, so it might appear in a future update.
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