If you’re a frequent traveler, especially one who crosses multiple time zones, you already know the golden rule: turn your phone to Do Not Disturb before going to sleep.
Heck, everyone should know this. A random 2:17 a.m. call from a spam number can completely wreck your sleep cycle and when you’re traveling, sleep is everything. Jet lag is hard enough without a telemarketer helping out.
Most seasoned travelers also know to share their hotel name and room number with loved ones. God forbid something goes wrong, at least family can reach you via the hotel’s front desk if your phone is on Do Not Disturb.
But here’s what I don’t think many people know: you can allow specific people to bypass the Do Not Disturb function.
I’ve had this set up for years. When my dad was alive and ill, I wanted to make sure he could call me anytime, no matter what time zone I was in. My wife Natalie is also on the bypass list (though sometimes she texts me in the middle of the night when she’s sleeping in the kids’ room … so occasionally I’ve had to remove her). Just kidding, Natalie. Only when I’m home. 😉 If I take a weekday nap, I also allow the kids’ school to bypass the setting.
It was actually Natalie who suggested I write this article because she thinks a lot of travelers don’t realize this feature exists. So here’s how to set it up.
If You Have an iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap Focus
- Tap Do Not Disturb (or whichever Focus mode you use while sleeping)
- Under Allow Notifications, tap People
- Select Allow Notifications From
- Tap Add People
- Choose the contact(s) you want to allow
Now their calls and texts will come through even when Do Not Disturb is on.
Bonus tip: You can also toggle on Allow Repeated Calls, which lets a second call from the same number within three minutes ring through; helpful for emergencies.
Important: The phone number must be saved in your contacts.
If You Have an Android Phone
- Open Settings
- Tap Notifications
- Tap Do Not Disturb
- Tap Calls and Messages
- Choose Allow Calls From
- Select Contacts Only or Favorite Contacts Only
To make someone a favorite:
- Open the Contacts app
- Tap the person’s name
- Tap the Star icon
You can also allow repeat callers here as well.
This is one of those simple travel tech tweaks that gives you peace of mind. You sleep soundly knowing spam calls won’t wake you but the people who truly matter can still reach you.
And that’s worth more than a few extra minutes of sleep.
KEEP READING
–How to Save Money With a Secret Third Carry-On
–How to Use Your Wireless Headphones to Watch In-Flight Movies
–10 Airport Security Hacks Every Traveler Should Know
–How to Get the Best Coach Seat on the Plane
–The Sleep Hack Every Traveler Needs to Know
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