Many gamers are faced with an annoying situation: at the most crucial moment of the match or while passing a difficult level, a notification pops up on the screen, or, even worse, the game suddenly ends due to an incoming call. On smartphones Samsung Galaxy often the culprit for this behavior is a function Do Not Disturbthat may activate automatically or be configured incorrectly for gaming scenarios.
Understanding how to control this mode is critical to maintaining concentration and uninterrupted gameplay. In this article, we will look in detail at all the ways to deactivate restrictions, from simple switches to deep configuration of system exceptions through the developer menu and Game Booster.
You will learn why the standard mode disabling may not work in the background and how to ensure that your Android will miss important notifications from instant messengers, while blocking spam. We will look at the nuances of the shell One UIthat distinguish it from pure Android, and give clear instructions for setting it up.
Quick deactivation through the notification panel
The most obvious and fastest way to regain full control over notifications is to use the notification curtain. However, many users don't notice the mode icon because it may be hidden behind the More button or have a non-obvious designation depending on the firmware version.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Quick Settings panel. If you don't see the crescent moon icon right away, swipe left or tap the three dots (or the edit button) to expand the full list of available toggles. Find the icon Do not disturb and make sure it is not highlighted with an active color.
If the icon is active (highlighted), simply click on it once to turn it off. In some cases, especially on older versions One UI, you need to hold your finger on the icon for about 2-3 seconds to go to the advanced settings menu, where you can check the automatic turn-on schedule.
It is worth noting that simply turning off the switch does not always cancel the rules set for specific applications. If the mode is turned off, but calls are still blocked, the problem may lie in the priority settings, which we will consider next.
If the Do Not Disturb icon is not in the curtain, go to Settings → Screen → Notification panel and drag it to the active zone.
Deep mode settings in the system menu
To fully control the behavior of your smartphone during gaming sessions, you need to go to the root system settings. Here you can not only turn off the mode, but also understand exactly what events it is blocking at the moment.
Go to the menu Settings and select section Notifications. At the top of the screen you will see the item Do Not Disturb. By clicking on it, you will be taken to the control center for filtering incoming events rules. This is the key section for fine-tuning.
Inside this menu, pay attention to the “Allow notifications” block. Here the system offers to choose what exactly can interrupt the silence. The default option is often “Nothing” or “Priority Only,” which creates a problem for gamers waiting for a call from a teammate.
Change the setting to All or select specific categories such as “Calls” and “Messages” if you want to receive only the most important information. Also check the "Schedule" section to make sure that you do not set the mode to automatically turn on at a certain time of day, coinciding with your usual time for games.
- 🌙 Check the status of automatic activation in the "Schedule" section.
- 📞 Make sure that repeated calls from one contact are not blocked (optional "Repeated calls").
- 🔕 Disable the visual effects of hiding notification icons on the lock screen.
It is important to understand the difference between disabling the mode completely and setting exceptions. Disabling it completely guarantees the delivery of all push notifications, but may lead to spam. Setting exceptions allows you to maintain silence from advertising mailings, but miss an important call.
Setting exceptions for gaming applications
Modern smartphones Samsung have smart algorithms that can detect a running game and automatically apply certain notification profiles. However, sometimes this logic works against the user, blocking everything.
In the Do Not Disturb mode settings menu, find the section "Applications" or “Allow from applications”. This displays a list of apps whose notifications can ignore the general ban. You need to manually add the game launcher or specific gaming application to this list.
Click on the plus sign or the "Add applications" button and select the desired game from the list, for example PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty. After adding, make sure that the switch next to the game name is activated. This action will create a rule: “Even if the Do Not Disturb mode is turned on, notifications from this game should go through.”
However, if your goal is, on the contrary, to disable the game mode so that it does not interfere, then it is worth checking the settings of the application itself. During games so that it does not interfere, it is worth checking the settings of the application itself Game Booster. In new versions of the One UI shell, Do Not Disturb functionality is often integrated directly into the game bar.
| Event type | Default status | Recommended setting for games |
|---|---|---|
| Inbox calls | Blocked | Allow from favorites |
| System sounds | Allowed | Leave unchanged |
| Messenger notifications | Blocked | Allow all |
| Alarms | Always allowed | Does not require changes |
Remember that settings may vary depending on the version of Android and the specific model of your device. The interface may differ slightly on series models S23 compared to more budget series A.
Why are the settings reset?
Sometimes after a major One UI firmware update, system notification settings may return to factory settings. It is recommended to check the exception configuration after each major software update.
Using Game Booster to manage notifications
The Company Samsung has introduced a powerful game optimization tool called Game Booster. It not only improves productivity, but also controls how the phone reacts to external stimuli while gaming.
Launch any game and bring up the game panel by swiping up from the bottom or by pressing the dedicated navigation button. In the tools menu, find the icon responsible for blocking notifications. It may look like a crossed out bell or have the caption “Block while playing.”
Inside the Game Booster settings (accessible through the main application menu or through the gear in the game bar) there is a separate section for managing notifications. Here you can choose a behavior strategy: “Show all”, “Hide content” or “Completely block”.
To solve the problem with the Do Not Disturb mode, make sure that the full blocking option is not activated in Game Booster, which conflicts with the system settings. Sometimes double blocking (system + game) leads to the fact that the user cannot understand where exactly the ban is hidden.
☑️ Checking Game Booster settings
Game Booster also has an “Automatic Start” function, which can apply energy saving and notification profiles when starting a game. Disabling aggressive power saving profiles often helps restore normal network operation and push notification delivery.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions, the Game Booster feature may be limited or have reduced functionality due to local software features. If you do not find the items described, check for updates for the Game Plugins in the Galaxy Store.
Accessibility and power-saving modes
Notification problems are often caused not only by explicit Do Not Disturb settings, but also by related features, such as power-saving modes or special features for people with disabilities.
Mode "Energy Saving" or “Maximum power saving” can limit the background activity of applications, including instant messengers. When the battery is low, the system automatically tightens the rules for receiving notifications, which can simulate the operation of Do Not Disturb mode. Check which activity mode is selected. For comfortable gaming, it is recommended to use
Go to Settings → Device maintenance → Battery. Check which activity mode is selected. For a comfortable game it is recommended to use the mode Optimized or High performancemode, but not austerity modes.
Also, check the section Accessibility. Features like Focus Enhancement or temporary profiles for the visually impaired can change the behavior of notifications, making them silent or hidden. Disable all active accessibility profiles while playing.
- 🔋 Turn off the "Maximum power saving" mode before launching heavy games.
- 👁️ Check the "Improve visibility" tab for active notification filters.
- ⚙️ Reset accessibility settings if your phone's behavior has become unpredictable.
Sometimes a conflict occurs between third-party memory cleaning applications and system settings. If you use third-party cleaners, add gaming applications to the whitelist so that the system does not “kill” their processes responsible for receiving data.
Power saving modes are a common hidden reason for missing notifications, as they limit background data traffic to save battery power.
Troubleshooting through the developer menu
If standard methods do not help and Do Not Disturb mode behaves inappropriately, you can resort to more advanced debugging tools. The developer menu Android allows you to control the behavior of the system at a deep level.
To enter the developer menu, go to Settings → Phone information → Software information. Quickly click 7 times on the item "Build number"until a message appears indicating that you have become a developer. Now a new section will appear in the main settings menu.
In section For developers scroll the list down to the “Applications” block. Find the option Do not save actions (Don't keep activities) and make sure it is disabled. If it is active, the system will destroy background processes of games and instant messengers immediately after minimizing, which will disrupt the delivery of notifications.
Also check the setting Background Process Limit. It should be set to "Standard Limit". Setting the limit to 0 or 1 process may result in the system blocking network services during gameplay.
adb shell settings put global zen_mode 0This command, entered through a computer with ADB installed, forces Do Not Disturb mode to turn off. This is a radical method that helps if the phone interface is frozen or the settings are not applied correctly.
⚠️ Attention: Changing settings in the developer menu may affect system stability and battery life. Revert to default values after debugging is completed or the problem is resolved.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Do Not Disturb mode turn on itself during the game?
This may happen due to the configured schedule in the mode parameters or due to the Autotest function in Game Booster, which applies a silence profile when running certain applications. Check the schedule and settings of the game hub.
Is it possible to turn off Do Not Disturb with a voice command?
Yes, if you have it configured Bixby or Google Assistant. Just say: “Turn off Do Not Disturb” or “Turn off Do Not Disturb.” Make sure your assistant has rights to change system settings.
Will the alarm go off if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled?
By default, system alarms on Samsung work even when Do Not Disturb mode is active. However, alarms from third-party applications may be blocked if they are not added to exceptions.
How to make calls from your mother go through, but others do not?
Go to the Do Not Disturb mode settings, select “Calls” and set the value to “From favorite contacts”. Then add your mom's number to your Favorites list in the Contacts app.
Are the settings reset after rebooting the phone?
No, manually set exceptions and schedules are saved in the device memory. However, temporarily turning on the “for 1 hour” or “until the morning” mode will automatically turn off after the timer expires or after a reboot, depending on the software version.