Google’s Clock app on Android phones may seem like a standard clock app, but you can achieve so much more than you might expect. Chances are, you’re not using the app to its full potential, and we're here to change that.

The app is free and comes pre-installed on all Android One smartphones and Google’s Pixel series. It’s also available on Google Play Store, in case you don't have it already. This article will show you six different ways of getting more out of Google's Clock app.

1. Use Songs From Music Streaming Apps as Alarm

Did you know that you can use songs from select music streaming platforms as your alarm? If not, now you do. Google’s Clock app can currently use music from Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube Music for alarm sounds.

To use music from these apps, you’ll first need to have them installed. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to set a Spotify playlist as your alarm. The guide also includes a tutorial on using music from Pandora and YouTube Music as your alarm if you don’t use Spotify.

2. Track Your Bedtime Activity

Bedtime tab in Google's clock app
Setting up bedtime activity tracking in Google's clock app
Bedtime activity report in Google's clock app

You’ve probably considered getting a fitness tracker so that you can track, among other things, your sleep patterns. But before you get one, you can use the Google Clock app, which uses different data points to estimate your bedtime activity.

The app will track your screen time as well as when your device remains motionless in a dark room to provide these estimates. It probably won’t be effective as a sleep tracker, but it's better than nothing.

To check your bedtime activity, tap the Bedtime tab and select Continue under See recent bedtime activity. Next, tap Allow. You’ll begin to see a Time on phone and Time in bed graph in the Bedtime tab.

3. Play Sleep Sounds to Help You Fall Asleep

If you have difficulties falling asleep, the Google Clock app can help to some extent. For clarity, sleep disorders and problems can be caused by a wide array of things, and this app is no silver bullet in any way. However, there's no reason why not to give this functionality a try.

Tap Choose a sound under Listen to sleep sounds, and select some sounds from your device, add your custom ones, or select a song or playlist from any of the currently supported music streaming apps.

Keep in mind that these sounds won't play automatically.

4. Keep Track of Your Upcoming Events

Granting clock app calendar access
Track upcoming events in Google's clock app

Google’s Clock app also presents an easy way to be on top of your schedule. As long as you use Google Calendar to keep track of your events, the app will access them directly, so you don’t have to create separate events.

Tap Continue under See your upcoming events and select Allow to give Clock permission to access your calendar.

5. Silence Your Android Phone Automatically While Charging

Customizing bedtime mode in Google's clock app
Silencing Android phone when charging

If you like charging your phone overnight and don’t want disturbances, this app can automate the process by automatically silencing your device. But first, you’ll need to set a bedtime alarm.

  1. Go to the Bedtime tab, select your preferred time to go to bed by selecting Bedtime and Wake up time under Schedule.
  2. Set your preferred time and toggle on the slider.
  3. Tap Bedtime mode, and choose While charging at bedtime.
  4. Enable Do Not Disturb to silence your device while Bedtime mode is on.

6. Customize Your Alarms and Volume Buttons

Google clock app settings menu
Alarm settings in Google clock app

On certain Android phones, hitting either of the volume rockers will snooze or silence the alarm. However, using Google’s Clock app, you have the power to dictate what these buttons do. You can use the volume buttons to control your alarm volume, snooze, or dismiss the alarm.

To customize the volume buttons, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, select Volume buttons under Alarms, and select your preference.

Other handy alarm customization features you should use include: gradually increase volume (for a more gentle wake-up), set the snooze length, pick the start of the week, and set how long it should take the alarm to go silent. All of these are found under the alarms section in Settings.

Related: The Best Social Alarm Apps to Help You Get Out of Bed

Use the Google Clock App Like a Pro

Google's Clock app can help increase productivity in different ways. You can track your upcoming events, silence your device while charging, and keep track of your screen time without a fuss. It's a whole lot more than just a simple app for telling the time.