The best sleep apps for Android

Healthy living begins with healthy sleep patterns
Insomnia is a horrible, but often preventable and usually treatable condition. I would know, as I've been suffering since I was about 12 years old. Some folks who suffer from chronic insomnia need to see a physician to get some extra help, but for most of us healthy sleep habits are fairly easy to achieve. The great thing about living in this modern age is that we can use our Android to help us get there.
Or maybe it's easy for you to get to sleep, but you don't seem to be able to sleep well or get to bed on time. This is just as bad, and a good way to make yourself feel bad. Nobody likes to feel bad.
If you've tried everything — including apps like these — and still can't get any rest we suggest you talk to your doctor. If you just need a little help or encouragement, this list is for you!
Shut off all the noises!
We'll start here, because for a lot of folks this is all it takes. You spend all day being a slave to your notifications (nothing personal, we are, too) so when it's time to shut your eyes you should shut them down. There's a very good chance you have a utility in your phone settings to do just that, as phones from Samsung, Motorola, HTC and the rest often include a way to shut the ringer and notification volume off based on times you set. If not, there are plenty of apps in Google Play that can help. We can recommend Do Not Disturb by Cabooze Software. Download it below.
Download: Do Not Disturb (2-week trial)
Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson
If you're the type who just can't clear your head of everything when it's time to go to bed, an app like Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson may help. Johnson is a hypnotherapist (not the seventeenth president, though that may be cool, too) who has released many acclaimed audio sessions to help relax your body and mind when it's bedtime. Listen to the suggestions, follow along, and you should be relaxed in no time. The Android app isn't the prettiest app out there, but I've found it to be effective on occasion. The app is $2.99, but a good night's sleep is priceless.
Download: Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson ($2.99)
Nature Sounds Relax and Sleep
Once your mind is clear, you need something soothing to focus on to bring on the relaxed state that will get you to sleep. Plenty of folks will tell you that the sound of crickets chirping or soft rainfall will put them to sleep, and Nature Sounds Relax and Sleep follows the same theory. Choose from a list of sound schemes and set your phone down beside your bed. Hopefully, tropical rain or bird sounds can put your mind — and your body — at rest.
Download: Nature Sounds Relax and Sleep (free)
Sleep Hypnosis
Google Play comments on this one were pretty polarizing, and I almost didn't try it. I'm glad I did, because I think it could be very helpful for a lot of people with trouble getting to sleep. It's suggestive "self hypnosis" in an app that delivers suggestions (above some new-age white noise) that help get your body into an extremely relaxed state. A night or two of trying with some comfortable headphones did seem to get me to stop thinking and I was able to focus on just my breathing. I'm going to continue trying this one. If you find you agree with this sort of thing, there are dozens of other sessions available as in-app purchases, for things like anger management or fear of flying. The sleep session is free, though, so it's worth a try.
Download: Sleep Hypnosis (free)
Sleepmaker Rain
If you are able to get better rest from natural sounds — like rain, for instance — but want a bit more control Sleepmaker Rain is for you. The free version lets you set how long you would like the sound to play, and after a bit of experimentation you'll be able to get to sleep then shut things down when you want them shut down. The sounds are pretty nice, as they are all real recordings of rain in Tasmania — not computer generated sound effects. Like some others in our list, Sleepmaker Rain doesn't have the best UI we've ever seen. But that hardly matters when you've got your eyes shut and your headphones on. Give it a try.
Download: Sleepmaker Rain (free)
Timely Alarm Clock
We've talked about ways to get relaxed and get to sleep, but what about waking up? There are plenty of great Android alarm apps in Google play, but a crowd favorite is Timely Alarm Clock. The app is beautiful — even Google thought so when they bought the company — and pretty functional. There are "gentle" settings to slowly crank up the sound, settings to make you wake up and think before hitting the snooze button, and our favorite, Timely syncs to all your devices through the cloud. We would like to see the ability to use your own sounds for the alarm, but even without that feature we can still recommend Timely.
Download: Timely Alarm Clock (free)
Sleep as Android
You knew we couldn't skip Sleep as Android, right? It's the ultimate sleep tool, with settings for alarms, sleep cycle tracking, Phillips Hue integration, Pebble integration and more. If you can imagine a way an Android app can help you get better sleep, Sleep as Android probably does it. And you don't need any extra hardware to track your sleep, as Sleep as Android can use your device's sensors to detect when and how you move through the night. The app can then use this data to set an alarm that goes off at just the right moment in your sleep cycle to help you wake up feeling refreshed.
Sleep as Android is a free app, but you'll need to pay $4.49 to unlock some of the advanced features after a two-week trial. We really like Sleep as Android, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who wants to get more — and better — sleep.
Download: Sleep as Android (free, $4.49 to unlock advanced features)
Your favorite?
We looked at a few apps to help you get healthy by sleeping well, but there are so many others. Since I'm exactly the type of person who needs this sort of app, I'd love to hear your favorite! Holler out in the comments.
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Jerry is an amateur woodworker and struggling shade tree mechanic. There's nothing he can't take apart, but many things he can't reassemble. You'll find him writing and speaking his loud opinion on Android Central and occasionally on Twitter.
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I prefer White Noise (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tmsoft.whitenoise.lite), but the ones featured look interesting as well.
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Agreed. I have been using White Noise since my Blackberry Storm Days. Great app with consistent updating from the developer. I'm not quite sure how it didn't make this list.
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I use sleep as android almost everyday. It works pretty damn well. It's the only alarm clock that can actually wake me up.
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How do you not have Chroma Doze on there? Best white noise bar none and it is FREE!
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I cannot believe you don't have White Noise in the list. The app has dozens of choices for white noise, and you can mix them to create your own. It also has an alarm clock with a gentle wake feature. I was able to replace both my alarm clock and white noise generator with the app, and I love it.
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I really like Ambio (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.happyexabytes.ambio)
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I use Timeriffic to shut down volume every night on my N4. Works really well and very reliable. I tried Sleep as Android and while it seems to work ok, the UI is terrible and there are so many settings and add-ons that it makes it hard to use. Uninstalled it. I may purchase Sleep Cycle that recently hit Android. It looks much more refined, but may lack all the bells and such of SaA. Posted via Android Central App on my white Nexus 4 with StraightTalk ATT
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Been using Honk Shoo for years - https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F... Simple and straight forward sound machine, but it had the best audio loops of anything i have tried... I can always sense when the audio loop starts over with most apps.... they are never seamless... but I have never been able to find the seam with Honk Shoo.
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Who needs sleep apps when you could just smoke some danky dank? B)
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Timeriffic since I got the 1st Thunderbolt with no night-mode WTH? and turned off my Blackberry. Highly customizable however i would prefer a better (more customization) built in app (just fix it Samsung...) Lighting Bug for sounds... And both are FREE
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You guys forgot CF.Lumen by Chainfire! Posted via Android Central App
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I use Lux to do the same thing. I especially like the "Astronomer mode" as they call it, since with the root plugin it turns off all green and blue light output. It does wonders when I'm trying to wind down at night or not ruin my night vision. Posted via Android Central App
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My problem is not falling asleep, it's waking up. Ever since I started using Timely I wake up in a better mood without feeling groggy. Posted via Android Central App
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I wish there was a sleep app that could pull info from my Gear Watch while the watch was in sleep mode. I hate that with most of the sleep apps out there, you have to have your phone on your mattress to monitor your sleep. Posted via Android Central App
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Well, Sleep as Android can tap into a Pebble, but nobody has done anything using the Samsung Gears. Posted via Android Central App
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Notifications off is a great way to control sounds with absolute precision. Sleep as an Android is good but having the phone on the bed is bad for a number of reasons. Tried the white noise/sound apps but my wife is not keen on noise sound like that; so it's not an option. ( Don't like to sleep with earphones)) nonetheless this is a very interesting topic. Thanks for this, Jerry. ..
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I just put my phone under my pillow, never woke up with me sitting on it. Also plug it into my Stereo so that the alarm isn't muffled by said pillow. Posted via Android Central App
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Tasker is not targeted at sleeping, but still a great app to use for this. I use it in combination with Sleep as Android. Since I use Sleep as Android to track my sleep, I always have it active during sleep. I have set up tasker to turn off notifications when Sleep as Android is active. Since I have a very irregular sleeping schedule, I can't use time as a trigger to turn notifications on or off. This solves that problem.
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My all time favourite is "Sleep Cycle" I first found it on iOS in 2010 and they've finally released a real android version (until now there were heaps of knock offs). The app is $1.99 and tracks your sleep cycles waking you up when you're in your lightest sleep cycle much like "Sleep as Android" must do.
It also collates the data to give you an idea of how you've slept over the past week, month etc. I wouldn't recommend anything else! -
I've been jealous of iOS users for access to Sleep Cycle for a while now. I've downloaded it for Android and have used it the past 3 days. I love that you can add your own notes and it automatically correlates and graphs your daily notes (eg. "had caffeine" or "late night dinner") with your quality of sleep. If you want to sleep better, you need to figure out what works for you and this app is the only one I've found that can correlate that information.
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I like Ambio the best... I create my own thunderstorm, and it's an alarm clock as well... You can set it up to fall asleep to various sounds, various ways, and multiple alarms that wake you by my selected music, gradually.... It's the best.
Posted via Android Central app -
Lighting Bug or Ambio are best for me. Posted via Android Central App
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I love Timely! Smart rise really works as advertised
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I don't understand why you didn't list this one. This one is the best if you'd prefer various types of white noise. I love it! https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F...
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check out this app: http://www.dreamateapp.com/
it is far more beautiful than any of the sleep apps mentioned above -
Hi everyone, I would like to introduce you to Dreamate Alarm & Sleep sounds app. https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F... You can connect to a partner and play sounds which would be heard on both devices, creating a realistic surrounding environment specially designed for a relaxing experience. Imagine dolphins swimming around you while you fall a sleep , or the waves of the ocean slpashing gently around you, and many more surrounding themes. http://www.dreamateapp.com/ highly recommended for a unique experience, come and try this new and different adventure!
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What about the Nighttime Speaking Clock?
https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F...
It's available in 16 languages. -
Any idea when the new Moodify App coming out, I read in xda that it is an unique reax music app coming which will have 9 category wise 250+ sounds for all day relax...I am a fan of Relax Melody App now, but category wise divided 250 sounds is something I will surely love...my current app have only 50 sounds only for sleep and yoga, they are saying they will have 40+ sounds for Branwave only without any adv....it's from some developer named Androfy...please let us know if you have any news of release date. ?
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https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F... Moodify Beta version is available ultimately after long wait!!!! Grab it free now from Android Play store link above. Change the Rhythm of Living. Moodify is an All in One, Simple, Categorized App professionally built just to personalize your entire day relaxation and assist you sleep sound. Sleep better, avoid Insomnia. Moodify Categorize relaxation sounds in 9 simple Categories to match your every mood, every time.
Give yourself the best professional Relaxing App now available only in Android. 250+ unique hand picked Relaxing music melody ambient nature offline Sounds divided in 9 Categories with 42 Brainwave sounds including Isochronic, Binaural, White Noise, Solfeggio sounds. https://youtu.be/h4d7UC7H270 -
I use Kuulo mobile app - ambient sounds for relax and sleep at night or during the day to keep your mind productive. It also has nice design, check it out:
https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F... -
I have checked all of these and as per me Moodify Relax Melody is the best app with 250 HQ sounds devided in categories, around 40 brain wave sounds...this App offers something which satisfy my all need and none of other Apps in playstore does have.
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I saw about Moodify Relax app in another site, they told it's a great app...appszoom...immediately downloaded it...omg...this is the best relaxing app ever...what a huge collection of sounds + relax radio...and the sounds are really great...I am lucky to find this app.
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I am surprised that the sleep machine app I use did not make the list. It has nice gentle sounds and an easy to us UI. Here is the link: https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F...