Netflix 7.82.1 hints the streaming service may finally add a sleep timer

Netflix for Android is preparing to add a sleep timer feature, letting users automatically stop the video playback after a set time limit. We discovered the evidence of the new feature in the latest version of Netflix, which recently rolled out on Android.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

We decoded the v7.82.1 APK and found a new string in the app’s resources:

<string name="sleep_timer_button">Timer</string>

However, we could not find any related assets, such as layouts or images, nor could we find any related code in the Netflix 7.82.1 APK. Still, the string suggests that Netflix will add a sleep timer button to the video player UI. Presumably, this will let you set a timer, after which Netflix will stop playing. This will be quite useful if you want to watch for a set amount of time while trying to fall asleep without having Netflix continue to show you content after you have fallen asleep (and thus mess up your watch progress.)

Currently, Netflix does occasionally check if you’re actually still watching by showing a “are you still watching” dialog, but you can’t control when that appears. Netflix also lets you disable the autoplay feature to prevent continuous playback of episodes in case you fall asleep or are not paying attention.

It’s easy to lose track of time while watching your favorite show and end up spending your precious sleeping hours binge-watching episode after episode. In this context, the sleep timer can also serve as a reminder to encourage people to not stay up late into the night.

Apart from the sleep timer, Netflix is also working on an audio-only mode, meaning it will be possible for users to fall asleep listening to their favorite show or a movie once these features roll out to the public.

We aren’t sure exactly when Netflix plans to incorporate sleep timer into the app, but it likely won’t be coming anytime soon, given that the feature is still at a very nascent stage. We’ll keep a close eye on the feature and keep you posted on further developments.

Netflix (Free⁺, Google Play) →

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