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Effective alarm clock for Android that doesn't spy on you or need 25 permissions?
“Subj.” as they used to say. I used to use Sleep As Android, but they seem to be adding more and more useless features that require more and more permissions which bothers me a lot.
I know that, but that doesn't do it for me. I disable it and go back to sleep. Same with two alarms in different places. SAA worked better.
So, I have problems with alarms, too. Let me give you some quick backstory here. Within the last five years, I've tried..
Nothing worked. Nothing. Except, I realized recently that my ability to wake up in time for work got worse and worse as the daylight hours shortened.
Duh. Light.
With that realization, I ended up doing some research and ordered one of those alarm clocks that simulates the sun rising. It starts off with a faint red light and gradually brightens over 20-30 minutes until it reaches a full, bright white, after which it also either plays ambient noise or starts the radio. I still have trouble immediately getting out of bed because I'm a lazy, procrastinating fuck, but I don't have any problems with waking up now.
Long story short, you sound like you might have a similar problem. I would encourage you to consider trying either a dedicated light-based alarm clock or looking into an app that fills that role. Maybe don't rely on using it alone at first--use it as a supplementary tool in case it fails--but definitely give it a shot.
I built a DIY version of the light-based alarm clock. It doesn't do the gradual brightening, but it is very bright and in the sunlight spectrum (5500K color temperature).
Bulb: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019HZQPM/
Lamp: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-Erskin-17-7-in-White-Desk-Lamp-with-Paper-Shade/50016042
"Smart" plug: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01K1JVZOE/
Then the TP-Link app (Kasa) lets me set a schedule for when it should turn on and off. Works with Alexa too, so I'm able to yell at my Echo Dot "turn off the sun" once I'm up and getting ready in the morning.
I'm definitely the kind of person who needs the gradual brightening. Still, I'm sure this will end up helping someone. Seems like a pretty simple setup overall :)
I don't have problems waking up most of the time, but if I've been in a different time zone longer than a day or two, I usually have a couple weeks of bad mornings on return.
I've been using a $30 Bluetooth smart LED bulb as a sunrise simulator light for travel the last couple of years. It's compact enough to fit in a bag, unlike the tabletop lights, and most hotel lamps will accommodate it.
The bulb is perfect for staying in sync with my home time zone, and it's just bright enough to let me wake up naturally without any of the bleary-eyed, heart-pounding fright that a loud alarm causes. I just can't use it at home without waking up my partner, whose normal sleep cycle runs a couple of hours later.
But if you're concerned about privacy, I'm sorry to admit that the Bluetooth app accompanying most of the available bulbs is badly translated from Chinese, not 100% reliable (I set a backup audio alarm), and asks for a troubling array of permissions. I wind up installing it each time I use it, spending some time getting paired and fiddling with settings, then uninstalling the moment I'm done with it.
There are now some decent WiFi-based options; not useful for me since I'm not carrying the smart home devices they usually depend on, but might be helpful if you've got home automation arrangements.
Nice solution! Seems ideal for a travel situation for sure. I'll have to keep this one in mind in case I ever find myself needing the portability.
Necessity is certainly a mother*. I took a look again at what's currently available, and there are fewer options. I'm hoping the item I linked has a better replacement soon; there are cheap sunrise simulator clocks out there, but nothing equally portable. Phone screen brightness isn't quite good enough to use with the available apps.
Edit: I think I just found the current equivalent: Smart Light Bulb : Bluetooth Smart Bulb No Hub Required https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BQN7Y14/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GCLmCbB8F4DBW
I had the same problem with disabling alarms and going right back to sleep for years, it wasn't until I bought a super cheap alarm clock and placed it in a spot in the room that I have to get out of bed to turn the alarm off that I finally started consistently getting up for my alarms, can't think of a single time I've turned it off and got back into bed after the alarm since i got it. Obviously might not fit your needs but for that specific problem I'd suggest a separate alarm clock.
As an option, you can find an older, still good version APK installer of your favorite alarm clock, install it and uncheck Auto Update checkbox in Play Store. Then it remains like that. A well working alarm clock doesn't require updates anyway
I like Sleep Cycle, but it listens to you while you sleep. Doesn't have permissions IIRC, and a quick check didn't show anything outside the microphone. May or may not fit your request, but I just have a hard time imagining any person listening to recordings of me farting and snoring at night.
I like it because it listens to you while you sleep to wake you up when you're ready to be woken up, some time within 30 minutes prior to the time you set it for. It's a much better way to start the day than blaring sirens or ringing bells. You can tap your nightstand to snooze it so you don't have to semi-wake up and figure out your cell phone. If your phone doesnt charge and gets close to draining, Sleep Cycle starts a really annoying alarm so you wake up and fix it, instead of over sleeping. And it graphs your sleep, which hasn't helped me make any sleep improvements but it's cool to see.
I've used sleep cycle for years! Wake up phases worked way better than I thought they would. Definitely recommend.
That is really interesting. Trying it out tonight, thanks!
I've been using Timely on Android. It never bothers me, works great. It needs storage and contacts, and collects some basic information so it can sync alarms across devices.
Oh geez I thought the internet had already universally decided autoplaying sound was a bad idea. Especially when there's no in-page off button.
My script blockers must have ate that, I didn't even know. :P
Simple Clock is pretty good.
Also be sure to look what F-Droid has to offer, in fact my first reflex for any given app is to look for it in F-Droid.
Do you live alone? If not then you can ask someone in your house to change the passcode for your device and add like 100 alarms in a row, now either dismiss it everytime or ask that person for the passcode. This might be bad for them if they wakeup after you.
Less crazier method (blocks internet access & you can't use another VPN)
Download
BlokadaNetGuard (from f-droid.org or play store)Download any alarm clock app that forces you to wake up (alarmy works good, I've used it before)
Turn on
BlokadaNetGuard and make it always on VPN (available on newer android versions)Blacklist that alarm app, that will block its internet access if that is bothering you
Ofc you cannot use other VPN app while this is turned on.
I think this is a better answer
Update: Replaced Blokada with NetGuard
Since when does Blokada allow you to blacklist apps? It's been on the wishlist forever but I didn't see it last time I strolled through the settings.
You're right it is not a feature currently. There is an open issue, I think there is a domain blacklist functionality which I confused with app blacklist.
I've replaced it with NetGuard, the f-droid version has no paywall but some features require pro which can be downloaded from GPlay.
Alarms is pretty good. It has options to solve a math problem or scan a QR code to disable the alarm
I don't remember if I paid for it or it was free. Either way it's really good and privacy centric.
I have stopped using it these days and just use my echo Dot cause I'm lazy but the year or so I used it, it was brilliant.
Why do you have to allow the permissions? Just deny the ones you don't want to use. I use Sleep As Android and haven't given it any permissions.
I used to use Alarm Clock eXtreme (I'm giving ios a try now) but looking at the permissions it requires, I never will again when I inevitably end up back in Android. Some of the permissions make sense because of certain features of the app, but it's way more than seems appropriate.
I'm using talalarmo from the f- droid store.
Since i use it i can get up easily. There is no snooze. When its off its off, it automaticly sets itself for the same time next day. Super convenient way to set the time and thats it.
If you need to get up you need to get up. Your mind and body learns incredibly fast that there is no snooze. You will just learn to get up when the alarm rings.