How To Set Screen Time On Android

Android's screen time management is called Digital Wellbeing, not Screen Time, which is Apple’s term. Setting digital wellbeing app timers lets you control how long you can use specific apps each day, helping you cut down on distractions and build healthier habits.

How to set digital wellbeing app timers on Android

Unlike Apple devices, where the feature is named Screen Time, Android uses Digital Wellbeing to help you monitor and limit your usage. With app timers, you can set a daily limit for any app; once you reach that limit, the app is paused for the rest of the day. This works for games, social media, streaming, and just about any other app you want to keep in check.

Find Digital Wellbeing in your settings

To get started, you need to open your device’s Settings and locate Digital Wellbeing. Here is how to find it on most Android phones, including Samsung Galaxy devices:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Digital Wellbeing (or Digital Wellbeing & parental controls on some Samsung models).

If you do not see this option, your device may be running an older version of Android; check that your phone is updated to at least Android 9 Pie. On some Samsung devices, a shorter path is available: Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > App timers, then choose the app, set the timer, and finish.

Set an app timer for any app

Once you are inside Digital Wellbeing, follow these steps to create a new app timer:

1. Tap App timers.
2. Tap Apps and app categories and select the apps you want to limit. You can also tap All in the top left to select everything at once.
3. Tap Add schedule.
4. Choose the days of the week this timer applies, then set the hours and minutes you want to allow each day.
5. Tap Save.

The timer will now appear on your Dashboard. When you reach your limit, a notification appears and the app icon goes gray; you can still open it, but you will have to override the timer to continue using it that day. Samsung's support page documents timer scheduling by days, hours, and minutes for app timers.

Schedule downtime to block distractions

Downtime is a separate feature that silences most apps during a set period, great for bedtime or work hours. To enable it:

1. From the Digital Wellbeing dashboard, tap Downtime.
2. Turn on the toggle.
3. Choose the days and start/end times for your downtime schedule. Only essential apps (phone, messages, and any you specifically allow) will be accessible during this window.

This setting works alongside your app timers but is broader, restricting nearly everything at once rather than limiting individual apps.

View your usage and adjust limits

The Digital Wellbeing Dashboard shows your daily and weekly app usage, including how often you unlock your phone. To check it:

1. Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing.
2. Tap the Dashboard area. You will see a pie chart of your top apps, total screen time, and unlock count.
3. Tap Week or Day to toggle the view.

To modify or remove an existing app timer, go back to App timers, select the app, and change the time limit or tap Remove timer. If you need to change the time on a Fitbit without the app, you would use the device’s own buttons rather than Digital Wellbeing, as Fitbits are not controlled through Android’s screen time settings. Apple's page says you can view weekly or daily usage summaries and choose devices with See All App & Website Activity > Devices, then Week or Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set limits on any Android phone?

Most Android phones running Android 9 or later include Digital Wellbeing. Some manufacturers (like Samsung) include it preinstalled, while others may require you to download the Digital Wellbeing app from the Play Store if it is missing from Settings.

What if my phone doesn't have Digital Wellbeing?

If you cannot find Digital Wellbeing in Settings, check your device’s software version under Settings > About phone > Software information. If you are on Android 8 or earlier, you will need a third-party app from the Play Store to manage screen time. For Android 9+, you can try installing the official Digital Wellbeing app if it is not already present.

How is this different from iPhone Screen Time?

iPhone Screen Time lets you set app limits, schedule downtime, and share limits across Apple devices running iOS 27 or later. Android’s Digital Wellbeing offers similar controls, app timers, downtime, and usage dashboards, but works only on your Android device and does not sync across non-Android products. Apple’s feature is found at Settings > Screen Time, while Android’s is at Settings > Digital Wellbeing. Apple documents that Screen Time can schedule time away from the screen and set limits for app use. To turn on Screen Time for a child on iPhone: Settings > Screen Time > [child's name under Family], then follow onscreen instructions to set Content & Privacy Restrictions, get a weekly report, and lock the settings. Apple's current support page says that to use all the latest Screen Time features, all Apple devices must be on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, or later.

Can I set a single timer for a whole category of apps?

Yes. When you tap App timers and then Apps and app categories, you can select a category like “Social” or “Games” to set one timer that covers every app in that group. This is faster than setting individual timers for each app.

Will Digital Wellbeing timers reset automatically?

Yes, app timers reset each day at midnight based on the schedule you created.