Digital Wellbeing on Android: Control Your Screen Time

By Ammar Aslam · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read

It's easy to pick up your phone for one message and look up an hour later. Android's Digital Wellbeing tools show how you use your phone and help you build healthier habits, without deleting your favourite apps.

Open Digital Wellbeing

Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. Samsung phones call it Digital Wellbeing and parental controls too. Add the icon to your app list for quick access.

Check your dashboard

The dashboard shows daily screen time, number of unlocks and notifications, and time spent in each app. Look at the numbers honestly for a week; many people are surprised.

Set app timers

Tap Dashboard.
Choose an app, such as Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
Tap App timer and set a daily limit, like 30 minutes.

When time is up, the app icon turns grey and it pauses until midnight. You can remove the timer if really needed.

Bedtime mode

Bedtime mode turns the screen greyscale and silences notifications at night. Set a schedule, such as 11 PM to 7 AM, or trigger it when your phone is charging at bedtime. Greyscale makes the screen far less tempting.

Focus mode

Focus mode pauses distracting apps you choose while you study or work. Set a schedule or turn it on from Quick Settings.

Reduce notifications

Each notification pulls you back to the phone. Turn off notifications from games, shopping and social media apps you don't need alerts from. See Android notification settings.

Habits that help

Move social apps off your home screen into a folder.
Charge your phone outside the bedroom.
Keep phones off the table during meals.
Replace scrolling with a book or walk for the first and last 30 minutes of the day.

For children

Digital Wellbeing links to Google Family Link for parental controls. See our parental controls guide.

A 7-day plan to reduce phone use

Small, steady changes work better than dramatic "digital detox" promises. Try this week-long plan:

Day 1: just observe. Check your Digital Wellbeing dashboard in the evening without judging.
Day 2: turn off notifications for every app that isn't a person or truly urgent.
Day 3: set an app timer on your most-used entertainment app, about 20% lower than your current average.
Day 4: set up Bedtime mode and charge your phone outside the bedroom.
Day 5: move social apps off the home screen into a folder on the last page.
Day 6: try Focus mode during work or study hours.
Day 7: compare your dashboard with Day 1 and keep what worked.

Replace, don't just remove

Scrolling often fills gaps: waiting, boredom or stress. Plan alternatives for those moments: a book or e-book in your bag, a podcast for commutes, a short walk after meals, or a quick call to a friend instead of scrolling their profile. Grayscale mode, available in Bedtime settings or Accessibility, makes colourful apps less tempting at any time of day.

Setting a family example

Children notice how adults use phones. Agree on family rules like no phones at meals, and follow them yourself. For children's devices, see our parental controls guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much screen time is too much?

There's no universal number. Focus on whether phone use crowds out sleep, work, exercise and time with people.

Does Digital Wellbeing drain battery?

Very slightly. You can turn off usage tracking if needed.

Ammar Aslam
Ammar writes clear, practical tech guides that help everyday users fix problems, stay safe online and get more from their devices.