🛑 Android Modes and Sound Profile – why they don’t work well together

Some users ask why Sound Profile doesn’t work properly when Android system “Modes” like Bedtime mode are active — or vice versa.

Let’s explain why this happens, what Sound Profile can (and cannot) do, and why unfortunately Android doesn’t make it easy for automation apps to coexist with its own modes.

📲 What do Android “Modes” actually do?

System Modes like Bedtime Mode are part of Android’s Digital Wellbeing features. When activated, they do several things at once:

• Enable Do Not Disturb, using rules you’ve set (for example, allow calls but block notifications).
• Switch the phone to Dark Mode.
• Optionally adjust screen brightness or apply a grayscale color filter.

They are bundled actions designed to promote focus, rest, or safe driving.

⚙️ What can Sound Profile do?

Sound Profile is a powerful automation tool that gives you precise control over sound and behavior, including:

• Changing all volume levels (media, ring, alarms…).
• Toggling vibration and Do Not Disturb, including setting exceptions (e.g. allow certain contacts).
• Adjusting screen brightness.

However, Android does NOT allow apps like Sound Profile to:

• Toggle Dark Mode (light/dark theme).
• Apply a grayscale display filter.

Unfortunately, Google has chosen not to expose any public APIs or user-grantable permissions that would allow third-party apps to control those visual settings.

🔄 Why conflicts happen

If you enable Sound Profile, it will configure Do Not Disturb and brightness as defined in your profile — possibly overriding what Android Modes are trying to do.
Similarly, if an Android Mode becomes active, it may undo changes made by Sound Profile.

That’s why we strongly recommend disabling Android Modes if you want to use Sound Profile reliably.

🔒Why this limitation exists

We wish it didn’t! But Android keeps certain system-level settings locked away, only usable by the system itself or pre-installed apps from manufacturers.

They don’t give developers like me the ability to offer users full control. It’s frustrating, and honestly a missed opportunity: these limitations prevent power users from building their own automation workflows — even when they’d be perfectly safe and useful.

✅ My suggestion

If you’re using Sound Profile, avoid using Bedtime Mode, and instead configure your profiles directly inside the app:

• Set volume levels and vibration.
• Customize Do Not Disturb, with all exceptions you need.
• Adjust screen brightness for day, night, or driving situations.

This gives you full control, and you won’t run into surprises from Android overriding your settings.

If Android ever allows apps to control dark mode or grayscale via official APIs, I’ll be the first to add that support.

Thanks for understanding — and for using Sound Profile!

💬 Got questions or ideas?

If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas to improve Sound Profile, feel free to leave a comment below or write to me directly at corcanoe@gmail.com.
I love hearing from users — your feedback helps shape the future of the app!