Google reportedly plans to introduce a sleep timer feature to the Android version of its popular video streaming platform, YouTube.

This functionality, already available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, allows users to set a timer that stops playback automatically, a useful feature for those who watch videos before bed.

According to The Economic Times, a tipster named AssembleDebug discovered references to the sleep timer feature in the latest beta version of the YouTube app for Android (version 19.25.33). The discovered code suggests that users will be able to specify the number of hours or minutes until playback stops. Additionally, there is a code snippet for “sleep_timer_notification_channel_name,” indicating that the timer will be displayed as a notification.

The functionality appears to include options to reset the timer or stop it, allowing users to extend their viewing if desired. Furthermore, Google is expected to add an “end of video” option to the YouTube app’s sleep timer, similar to the “end of song” setting in YouTube Music. This would halt playback at the conclusion of a video, although no evidence of this feature was found in the current beta version.

This new feature will be a welcome addition for Android users who currently rely on third-party apps and workarounds to achieve similar functionality. In contrast, iPhone users can set a system-wide timer through the native clock app, which stops media playback when the timer ends.

The implementation of a sleep timer will enhance the YouTube viewing experience, providing users with more control over their media consumption, especially during nighttime viewing.