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How to set a sleep timer on iPhone or Android

Written by the team that builds Luten, so we are not neutral about it. Updated 6 November 2026.

The short answer

On iPhone, open the Clock app, tap Timers, set a time, tap When Timer Ends, choose Stop Playing, then tap Set and Start. On Android, look in the app that is playing: Spotify and YouTube each have their own timer. In Luten, tap Sleep timer in the player and pick a length, and the sound fades out, then pauses.

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On iPhone: use the Clock app

You don't need to install anything. The timer in Clock can stop what is playing instead of ringing.

  1. Start your music, podcast or sound.
  2. Open the Clock app and tap Timers.
  3. Set the length you want.
  4. Tap When Timer Ends, then tap Stop Playing at the bottom of the list of sounds.
  5. Tap Set, then tap Start.

Apple describes this for audio or video in general, not one app, and says the timer keeps going if you open another app or the iPhone goes to sleep.

Check that When Timer Ends says Stop Playing each time you start one. Some people on Apple's forums report it going back to a sound, which means an alarm instead of silence.

On Android: use the timer in the app that is playing

Google's Clock app rings when a timer ends. Google's help covers alarms, timers and bedtime sounds, and doesn't describe a way to stop music you are already playing. If your phone has a different clock app, check it. Otherwise, look in the app playing the sound.

In Luten: a timer that fades out

Luten is a sound app for iPhone and Android, and the timer is part of the player, so there is nothing else to set up.

  1. Play a sound and open the player.
  2. Tap Sleep timer.
  3. Pick a length. The button then shows the minutes left. To turn it off, tap the button again, then tap Cancel.
The Luten player on iPhone with the Sleep timer button tapped and its length options showing.
iPhone
The Luten player on Android with the Sleep timer button tapped and its length options showing.
Android

When the time is up, the sound gets quieter over about 20 seconds and then pauses. It pauses rather than closing, so you can press play and carry on.

The timer keeps counting with the phone locked. On Android, a battery saver on some phones can stop apps running in the background, so check that setting if a timer doesn't behave.

By default the player moves on through the list. To stay on one sound, tap the repeat button until it shows a 1.

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Which one to use

Try Luten

Sleep and focus sounds, on iPhone and Android. Free to download, with an optional subscription that starts with a 7 day free trial.

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Questions

How long should I set a sleep timer for?

That is up to you. We don't recommend a length. Pick what suits you, and change it whenever you like.

Does Apple Music have a sleep timer?

On iPhone, Apple's guides don't describe one in the Music app, so use the Clock timer above, which stops what is playing. On Android, check the menu in the Apple Music player.

Does a sleep timer keep running with the screen locked?

On iPhone, Apple says the Clock timer continues when the iPhone goes to sleep. The timer in Luten also keeps counting with the phone locked, on iPhone and on Android, apart from the battery savers mentioned above.

Can I cancel a sleep timer?

Yes. In Clock, tap Timers, swipe left on the timer and tap the button that appears. In Luten, tap the button that shows the minutes left, then tap Cancel.

Related guides

Sources