Android automation - skip alarm if phone is being charged

August 17, 2024 7:50 AM

I'm trying to lose my night owl tendencies, and so I have an phone alarm set for 11pm each night, to remind me to go to bed. If I am already in bed, and my phone is charging, I'd like that alarm to be skipped so it doesn't wake me up. It seems like this oughta be possible, but it's been a long time since I've delved into apps like Automate and Tasker. Can anyone suggest a workflow or app that'll do what I want?

More info: I'm using an Pixel 6, with stock android at the moment. Would prefer not to have to root it. Some quick searches didn't turn up exactly what I was looking for. Also open to alternative suggestions for how to achieve this goal, if there's an easier way!

posted by chrisamiller to Technology (9 answers total)

Also open to alternative suggestions for how to achieve this goal, if there's an easier way!

What works well for me is to have my lights on smart plugs and set to turn off at bedtime. If I'm awake and suddenly plunged into darkness, that's a pretty good indicator I should go to bed. If I'm already asleep, the lights turning off automatically is just doing me a favor.
posted by phunniemee at 8:04 AM on August 17, 2024 [2 favorites]

You can set bedtime mode to turn on while charging during specific hours, which can also turn on do not disturb. Alarms normally interrupt it by default, but perhaps you could use a different alarm app and not exempt that one from do not disturb.
posted by lookoutbelow at 8:25 AM on August 17, 2024

turn the phone off & alarm's also off
(added bonus: battery charges faster)
posted by HearHere at 8:59 AM on August 17, 2024

I have never used it, but I wonder if a dedicated sleep app would be more user friendly than tasker.
posted by phil at 9:51 AM on August 17, 2024

Instead of setting an alarm, use a habit tracking app and set it for 11, but then, when you plug the phone in to go to bed, mark the task complete.

Or, can you not just say, "Hey Google, Cancel my 11PM alarm," right before you go to bed?
posted by dobbs at 10:20 AM on August 17, 2024

I *think* this should be possible with Sleep as Android, linked above; it has a bedtime notification that is disabled when it's already sleep tracking. If you set it to autodetect sleep and it does so well for you, it should be skipped of you're asleep and notify you if not.
posted by sagc at 10:27 AM on August 17, 2024

it's been a long time since I've delved into apps like Automate and Tasker. Can anyone suggest a workflow or app that'll do what I want?

If you're looking for an actual Automate or Tasker workflow, there seem to be a few specialized forums and reddits for those apps where someone would probably be able to help.
posted by trig at 11:23 AM on August 17, 2024

I have a calendar appt to remind to take an evening medication, and it pops up on my phone as a notification. I do not allow notifications to make a sound.
posted by theora55 at 3:45 PM on August 17, 2024

I use an app (recommended on here) for my alarms called AMDroid. It has a function where you can select your alarm, click on the 3 dots next to it and then choose 'Skip Next Occurrence' and it'll do just that.
posted by essexjan at 1:44 AM on August 18, 2024