YouTube is constantly innovating and testing new features for its Premium users, and its latest experiment involves a sleep timer. While not groundbreaking, this feature is sure to be useful for those who like to fall asleep while listening to long podcasts or white noise.
To access this sleep timer, YouTube Premium users can go to the desktop version and enable it from the designated page. Alternatively, they can go to “Settings” and then select “Try experimental new features” on the mobile app.
Once the sleep timer is enabled, it will appear in the Settings menu on the video player. Users can choose to set the timer for 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, or until the video ends.
When the set time is up, YouTube will automatically pause the video playback. At this point, users will see a pop-up asking if they want to extend the timer.
It’s worth noting that YouTube is a bit late in implementing this feature compared to its competitors. Spotify has had a sleep timer for some time now, and TikTok started testing sleep nudges based on preset bedtimes last year.
YouTube’s experimental feature page states that the sleep timer will be available until September 2. However, it is hoped that the streaming platform will make it a permanent feature and extend it to free users as well.
This is not the first time YouTube has experimented with new features. In the past, they have tested an AI assistant that answers questions about videos and a lock screen feature to prevent accidental taps.
In conclusion, YouTube’s sleep timer is a welcome addition for Premium users who enjoy falling asleep while listening to content. While other platforms have had similar features for a while, it is good to see YouTube catching up. Hopefully, this experiment will lead to a permanent and expanded sleep timer option for all users.