Ever drifted off to sleep with a YouTube video playing softly in the background, only to wake up hours later with the video still droning on? You’re not alone. Many of us use YouTube for a variety of purposes, including listening to calming music, nature sounds, or even audiobooks before bed. But until now, there hasn’t been a way to ensure the playback automatically stops after you’ve dozed off.

That’s where YouTube Premium comes in. Google, ever the innovator, is constantly tinkering with new features, and the latest addition being tested caters specifically to those who use YouTube for nighttime relaxation – a Sleep Timer.

This feature, currently available for testing by Premium members, allows users to set a timer that will automatically pause playback after a predetermined amount of time. So, whether you prefer a gentle lull for 10 minutes or a full hour of calming sounds, the Sleep Timer has you covered.

Accessing the Sleep Timer is a breeze. Premium members can simply head over to youtube.com/new and activate the feature. Once enabled, it becomes readily available in the Settings Menu. Here, you’ll be presented with a variety of options to choose from – 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes – allowing you to tailor the experience to your sleep routine. The cherry on top? There’s an option to set the timer to automatically stop playback at the end of the current video, ensuring you don’t wake up to an endless stream of content.

For mobile users, the Sleep Timer is tucked away under the “Additional Settings” menu within the YouTube app. This functionality mirrors the desktop version, providing the same range of time intervals and the end-of-video shutoff option.

It’s no secret that YouTube is a popular destination for audio-only content. Whether you’re catching up on a favorite podcast or listening to a relaxing playlist, turning off the screen and letting the audio lull you to sleep is a common practice. This Sleep Timer perfectly complements that experience, offering a sense of control and preventing unnecessary battery drain throughout the night.

For those familiar with Spotify, you might recognize a similar Sleep Timer feature – a testament to its usefulness and user demand for such functionality.

The Sleep Timer is currently available for testing until September 2nd. While not all experimental features make it to the public rollout, this Sleep Timer seems like a slam dunk. After all, who wouldn’t want to avoid waking up to a half-watched video and a drained battery?

So, if you’re a YouTube Premium member who enjoys winding down with some audio content before bed, be sure to head over to youtube.com/new and activate the Sleep Timer. It might just be the missing piece to your perfect sleep routine.