DND OverrideUse Android's native exceptions first
On current Android and Pixel devices, open Settings, choose Modes or Do Not Disturb, then review Notification filters. Android can allow people, apps, alarms and other interruptions. Names and paths vary by manufacturer and Android version. Some apps also expose notification categories whose sound and DND behavior can be adjusted independently.
If every alert from one app should sound, a native app exception is usually simpler and does not require notification access for another app.
When a whole-app exception is too broad
A single app may produce routine and urgent notifications through the same Android channel. DND Override can inspect the visible title and message of a newly posted notification and apply a rule such as:
- one selected app plus the keyword “critical”;
- any app with either “down” or “failed”;
- one app only, with a chosen alert sound;
- all listed keywords, or one advanced regular-expression pattern.
The rule is evaluated on the phone. If it matches while DND is active and alarm volume is above zero, DND Override plays the selected sound with alarm audio attributes. It does not change the system's DND setting.
Important limitations
- The source app must post a notification and expose usable text to Android's notification listener.
- Manufacturer battery management and background restrictions can affect notification-listener delivery.
- A muted alarm stream prevents playback.
- Grouped summary notifications are ignored; an updated notification can alert again if its visible content changes.
- This is not a delivery guarantee or a certified emergency system.
Next steps
For one app, read allow one app during DND. For text-specific behavior, see keyword notification alerts. For system-only options, use the Android DND exceptions guide.