YouTube's new feature is perfect for watching videos before bed

Many people like to watch videos or listen to podcasts on YouTube before bed, whether it's a long video, documentary, concert, or relaxing ASMR content. However, leaving these videos on all night can be distracting because YouTube automatically switches from one video to the next. To fix this problem, YouTube has introduced a new timer feature that allows users to stop video playback after a set amount of time.

Say goodbye to sleepless nights: YouTube's new sleep timer

This timer feature is currently in an experimental phase and will only be available for a limited time. Although it is expected to be generally available at some point, it is currently reserved for YouTube Premium users. Premium subscribers can test the feature by enabling it via a special link provided by YouTube.

The timer can be used on both the mobile app and the desktop version of YouTube. The feature is straightforward but effective. Once the timer is active, video playback will stop when the time limit is reached, ensuring that users can fall asleep or continue other activities without worrying about videos playing endlessly in the background.

To enable the timer on mobile, users need to tap the gear-shaped settings button while the video is playing, select “Additional Settings,” and then choose the timer option. On the desktop version, the process is even simpler: click the gear button to open the playback options menu and select “Sleep Timer.” From there, users can choose how long they want the video to play before stopping—options range from 10 minutes to 60 minutes, or until the video ends.

This feature is especially useful for those who like to play background sounds when falling asleep. For example, ambient noises like rain or ocean waves. The Sleep Timer allows for a more controlled and restful experience. Currently, it is available to YouTube Premium users until September 2nd. There is hope that it will be expanded to all users in the near future.