Appfinity
Gradual sound ramp
Your alarm starts quiet and gets louder over several minutes.
Calm mornings
Gently
Wake up to a slow ramp of light and sound instead of a sudden alarm.
- Android
- Premium
- Free trial
- Made in Amsterdam
The problem
The problem Gently solves
Standard alarms are designed to get you out of bed fast. That speed comes at a cost: your body goes from sleep to stress in seconds. If your mornings regularly start with a jolt, that feeling can linger for hours.
Gently takes a different approach. It starts your alarm quietly and brightens slowly, giving your body time to come out of sleep at a more natural pace. No hardware required.
How it works
How it works
Flashlight sunrise
Your phone's flashlight brightens slowly to simulate dawn.
Custom ramp duration
Choose how long the build-up takes, from a few minutes to half an hour.
Calm sound selection
Pick from tones designed for slow wake-ups, not sudden interruptions.
Simple setup
One alarm, one goal. No unnecessary settings to configure.
When to use it
When to use Gently
- You wake up feeling stressed and find it hard to shake that feeling through the morning.
- You sleep in a dark room and want light to signal the start of the day before sound kicks in.
- You rely on a loud alarm because you worry a quiet one will not wake you, but you dislike what it does to your mood.
- You want a calmer start to the day without buying dedicated sunrise alarm hardware.
Who it's for
A good fit if you...
- Find traditional alarms jarring and want a softer start to the day.
- Sleep in a dark room and want light as part of your wake-up.
- Have tried gentle alarm apps before but found them unreliable.
- Want something simple with no complicated settings to manage.
- Are looking for a low-cost alternative to a dedicated sunrise clock.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does the gradual wake-up actually work?
Gently starts your alarm at low volume and low brightness, then increases both steadily over the ramp duration you choose. The goal is to bring you out of sleep slowly rather than abruptly.
Will the flashlight wake me up if my phone is face down?
If your phone is face down, the flashlight will not reach your eyes. For best results, place your phone with the flashlight facing upward or toward a wall to reflect light into the room.
Is Gently reliable as my only alarm?
Most users find it reliable. That said, if missing an alarm has serious consequences, setting a backup is sensible until you have tested Gently across several mornings.
Can I choose how long the ramp takes?
Yes. You can set the ramp duration to suit your sleep patterns, from a short build to a longer, slower approach.
Does Gently work without an internet connection?
Yes. Gently runs entirely on your device. It does not require internet access to set or trigger alarms.
Related reading
Related articles
How to build a calmer morning routine using your phone
Use your Android phone to build a calmer morning, from the alarm to the first 30 minutes. Step-by-step with Gently, Do Not Disturb, and one habit to avoid.
Read articleWhat the science of gradual wake-ups actually says
Sleep stages, light, sound ramping, and morning cognitive performance: here's what research actually supports about gradual wake-up approaches.
Read articleHow to set up a sunrise alarm on Android
Step-by-step guide to configuring a sunrise alarm on Android using Gently. Covers ramp duration, flashlight positioning, sound selection, and first-use tips.
Read articleReady to try it?
Install directly from Google Play. Start with a free trial — no sign-up required.
Policies
App policies
Transparency first. Read how this app handles your data and what the usage terms are.