How to Set a Sleep Timer on Spotify [Ultimate Guide]

Have you ever fallen asleep with music still playing, only to wake up hours later with your battery drained and your playlist still looping? Or maybe you're listening to a podcast at night and hoping it will stop automatically when you fall asleep? You're not alone - thousands of Spotify users are looking for a way to set a sleep timer and enjoy audio without interruptions.

The good news? Spotify has a built-in sleep timer on mobile - and even if you're using desktop or other platforms, there are smart workarounds to make it work for you. In this ultimate guide, we'll walk you through how to set a sleep timer on Spotify for iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows. You'll also learn how to troubleshoot missing options, and discover powerful tools to take your playback control to the next level.

What Is the Spotify Sleep Timer and Why Use It?

The Spotify sleep timer is a built-in feature that lets you set a specific time for your audio to stop playing automatically - an ideal tool for those who love drifting off to music, podcasts, or audiobooks.

Once the timer runs out, playback will pause without any manual action, helping you save battery, avoid data overuse, and enjoy uninterrupted sleep. You can choose from several preset durations: 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, or even set it to stop at the end of the track or episode - especially useful for podcasts or bedtime stories.

Currently, the sleep timer is only available on the Spotify mobile app. But don't worry - in the next sections, we'll guide you through how to use it on mobile and show you workarounds for setting a sleep timer on Mac and Windows desktops as well.

How to Set a Sleep Timer on Spotify Mobile (iPhone & Android)

Spotify's sleep timer on mobile is easy to use, but the steps vary slightly depending on what you're listening to - whether it's a song, a podcast, or an audiobook. Below, we'll walk you through how to set a sleep timer for each type of content on both iPhone and Android.

For Songs and Playlists

If you're playing regular tracks or playlists, here’s how to activate the sleep timer:

Step 1. Open the Spotify app and start playing any song or playlist.

Step 2. Tap the Now Playing bar to open the full-screen player.

Step 3. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.

Step 4. Scroll down and tap Sleep Timer.

Step 5. Select your desired time duration (5 to 60 minutes, or "End of track").

For Podcasts

When listening to a podcast, Spotify provides a more direct way to set the timer:

Step 1. Play the podcast episode you want.

Step 2. Tap the Now Playing screen.

Step 3. Look for the clock icon in the bottom-right corner.

Step 4. Tap the icon and choose how long you want the episode to play. You can also select "End of episode" for a more natural stop point.

For Audiobooks

Audiobooks in Spotify use a similar interface to podcasts, making the timer just as accessible:

Step 1. Start playing the audiobook you want to listen to.

Step 2. Tap the Now Playing screen to expand the full player.

Step 3. Look for the clock icon in the bottom-right corner.

Step 4. Tap the icon and select your preferred time duration, or choose "End of chapter" if available.

How to Set a Sleep Timer on Spotify Desktop (Mac & Windows)

Unlike the mobile app, Spotify's desktop version on Mac and Windows does not have a built-in sleep timer. However, you can use your computer's system settings to make your device go to sleep after a certain period of inactivity - which will also pause Spotify playback. Here's how to set it up on both platforms:

How to Set a Sleep Timer on Spotify on Mac

On macOS, the sleep settings can be configured through System Settings (or System Preferences). Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Click the Apple menu  and choose System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions).

Step 2. In the left-hand sidebar, scroll down and click Lock Screen.

Step 3. At the top, use the drop-down menus to set when your display turns off and when the screen saver starts. You can choose anywhere from Never to 3 hours.

Step 4. For laptops, go back to the sidebar and click Battery. Then click Options.

Step 5. Adjust sleep-related settings, such as:

• Turn display off on battery or power adapter
• Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off
• Wake for network access or Power Nap

How to Set a Sleep Timer on Spotify on Windows

Windows offers several ways to configure sleep timing. Below are two commonly used methods: one through the modern Settings app and one via the classic Control Panel.

Option 1: Use Windows Settings (Best for Most Users):

Step 1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.

Step 2. Click System, then select Power & sleep from the left-hand menu.

Step 3. Under the Sleep section, use the drop-down menus to choose how long the computer should wait before sleeping:

• On battery power, PC goes to sleep after: [choose time]
• When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after: [choose time]

Step 4. Close the Settings window when you're done.

Option 2. Use Control Panel Power Settings:

Step 1. Open the Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).

Step 2. Click Power Options, then select Change when the computer sleeps from the left sidebar.

Step 3. Choose your preferred sleep time for On battery and Plugged in.

Step 4. Click Save changes.

Troubleshooting Tips for Spotify Sleep Timer Not Working or Missing

If you can't find the sleep timer on Spotify or it's not working as expected, you're not alone. Here are some common reasons why the feature might be missing and what you can do to fix it.

You're Using Spotify Connect (Casting to Another Device)

If you're casting audio to a smart speaker, TV, or any external device via Spotify Connect, the sleep timer will be disabled - it's only available during local playback on your phone or tablet.

How to fix it:

1. Open the Spotify app.
2. Tap the device icon (bottom-left of the Now Playing screen).
3. Switch playback from the external device back to "This device" (your phone or tablet).
4. Now check the three-dot menu again, and the Sleep Timer option should appear.

You're Using the Desktop App or Web Player

The Spotify sleep timer is currently exclusive to mobile apps. It's not available on desktop (Mac/Windows) or the browser version.

How to work around it:

On Mac or Windows, follow our earlier guides to set a system-level sleep timer that stops Spotify when the computer sleeps.

Your App Is Outdated

Older versions of the Spotify app may not support the sleep timer feature, or may hide it due to bugs.

How to fix it:

1. Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Search for Spotify and tap Update if available.
3. After updating, reopen Spotify and try setting the sleep timer again.

Bonus: Get More Control Over Spotify Playback Using Reliable Third-Party Tool

While Spotify's built-in sleep timer is useful, it's only available on mobile and offers limited control. If you want to fully customize your listening experience - like playing music offline, using a timer on desktop, or keeping songs forever - you'll need a more flexible solution. That's where TuneFab Spotify Music Converter comes in.

TuneFab Spotify Music Converter is a versatile and user-friendly tool that allows you to download any Spotify content - including songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks - without needing a Premium subscription. It supports multiple output formats such as MP3, M4A, FLAC, and WAV, while preserving original audio quality and full ID3 tags like artist, album, and cover art. With its built-in Spotify Web Player, TuneFab makes it easy to enjoy your favorite Spotify tracks offline, organize them your way, and play them in any media player.

Here's how you can easily download Spotify music, playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks using TuneFab Spotify Music Converter:

Step 1. Install and Launch the Converter

Download and install TuneFab Spotify Music Converter on your computer. Open the program, choose Spotify service, and then log in to your Spotify account via the built-in Spotify Web Player.

Step 2. Add Music to the Conversion List

Browse Spotify within the app, then drag and drop any song, album, playlist, or podcast into the conversion list on the right. You can also click the "+" icon on the track cover to add it directly.

Step 3. Choose Output Format

Select the desired output format, including MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, or ALAC. You can apply the same format to all tracks or set a different format for each. Click "Convert All" to begin the conversion.

Step 4. Access Your Downloaded Files

Once done, go to the "Finished" section and click the folder icon to locate your downloaded songs. You can now play them offline, organize them as you like, or use them with any media player that supports custom sleep timers.

FAQs about Sleep Timer on Spotify

Can I set different sleep timer durations for different playlists or content types?

No, Spotify currently offers only fixed preset durations (5–60 minutes or "End of track/episode"). There's no option to customize different timers for specific playlists or content types.

Will the sleep timer work if I switch apps or lock my phone?

Yes. Once the timer is set, it continues running in the background, even if you lock your screen or switch to another app. Just make sure Spotify is still actively playing.

Can I set a recurring sleep timer for every night?

Unfortunately, Spotify doesn't support recurring or scheduled timers. You'll need to manually set the timer each time you want to use it.

Final Thoughts

In this guide, we covered everything you need to know about using the sleep timer on Spotify - from how to set it on mobile for songs, podcasts, and audiobooks, to smart workarounds for desktop users on Mac and Windows. We also walked through common troubleshooting tips to help when the sleep timer isn't working or appears to be missing.

If you're looking for more flexibility, such as downloading Spotify content for offline use or creating custom playback routines with your own media player, we recommend giving TuneFab Spotify Music Converter a try. It's a powerful tool that puts you in full control of your Spotify listening experience.