Netflix is testing a sleep timer in the mobile app to help with late night binge watching

Netflix is experimenting with a sleep timer in the mobile app that could potentially release publicly across all Netflix platforms should the feature prove itself successful with test users.

With the helpful feature, users can tell their mobile Netflix app to stop streaming after 15, 30 or 45 minutes or, alternatively, whenever whatever you’re currently watching ends.

The test is currently limited to the Android app and adult Netflix profiles.

Saving bandwidth and battery

This should help prevent unnecessary data consumption when you fall asleep with Netflix on. Aside from bandwidth benefits, the sleep timer will help conserve battery life on your device.

Netflix tells The Verge:

Although the test is limited to select users globally with Android devices right now, Netflix will explore bringing it to other devices, including TV sets and desktops, depending on how widely the product is adapted and if subscribers seem to like it, according to the company.

Here’s hoping that the streaming giant turns the experimental sleep timer into a regular feature because this one is a no-brainer, honestly.

How to use Netflix sleep timer

To use the feature, hit the Timer icon while watching something.

  1. Open Netflix on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Play a movie or TV show on your device.
  3. Tap a clock icon in the upper-right corner labeled “Timer.”
  4. Set the timer duration:
  • “15 minutes”: Stop streaming 15 minutes from now.
  • “30 minutes”: Stop streaming half an hour from now.
  • “45 minutes”: Stop streaming 45 minutes from now.
  • “Finish Show”: Have Netflix turn off when an episode ends.

Again, you can only use this feature if you’re included in the test and have an Android device. Watch this space as we’ll be making sure to inform you when this expands to everyone.

Other Netflix tests

Netflix tests certain upcoming features with a small subset of its user base before they are rolled out more broadly. This gives the company a chance to not only perform A/B tests of user interface elements but also squish early bugs that test users report to the company.

As an example, Netflix has confirmed that its experimental Shuffle Play button will be coming to all users later this year following a test that began in August 2020.