Notifications during unsociable hours

Learn how to manage notifications from Spark to avoid getting alerts during unsociable hours. 

Unsociable hours cover any time you’re sleeping or don’t consider yourself active/available to respond to notifications. We try to limit non-critical notifications to social hours but there are some notifications that are important we send immediately. You can use the Do Not Disturb feature on your mobile device if you don't want to be disturbed by these notifications. Instructions for how to do this are below.

Manage your notification settings

You can manage some of the notifications you receive (like mobile or broadband usage alerts) by changing settings in MySpark. 

Learn how to manage notification settings in MySpark or the Spark app

Manage my notification settings in MySpark

Do Not Disturb feature of your mobile device 

To get the most control over your notifications, use the Do Not Disturb (DND) feature on your mobile device. 

This feature was first introduced by Apple in an update to iOS 6 in 2012, and Android versions soon followed. Older versions of the DND feature require you to ‘turn on’ and ‘turn off’. For example, turn it on just before going to sleep, and turn it off after waking up. Modern versions allow you to set specific hours that DND automatically applies, and whitelist specific contacts who can always contact you even if DND is active. 

DND does not affect Emergency Alerts – these are always received even when DND is active. 

DND does not affect alarms set in the clock app – alarms will still go off even when DND is active. You may be able to override this default behaviour, depending on your device manufacturer and OS version. 

How to enable and configure Do Not Disturb feature 

• Apple devices 
  • Option 1: Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb to manually turn on Do Not Disturb, or set a schedule. 
  • Option 2: Open Control Centre on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. 
  • Touch and hold the Do Not Disturb icon (crescent moon icon) to adjust your settings.
  • Tap the  Do Not Disturb icon  to turn it on or off.
• Android devices 
  • Option 1: Go to Settings > depending on your version of Android or device manufacturer, choose Sound, or Sound & Vibration or Notifications, or search the settings for Do Not Disturb > tap Do Not Disturb > turn on now and set duration or set a schedule.
    • You may also be able to configure exceptions, such as calls or messages from Favourite contacts, repeat callers or alarms. 
    • You may need to add Do Not Disturb to your Quick Settings so that it shows up in the Control Centre.
  • Option 2: Open Control Centre (drag the notification shade down twice) and find the Do Not Disturb button. Tap and hold it for 1-2 seconds to open the Do Not Disturb settings screen. Follow the steps above. 
    
• For other devices, check the manufacturer for support pages.