How to set timers on apps on Android devices and reduce smartphone addiction

With our smartphones capable of carrying out simple calculations to capture 4K videos, play high-quality games, and everything in between, it can be normal to hook up to our smartphones all day long. But, I know it, you know it, that is not a good habit, as it can hamper your productivity, and sleep cycle if you use the smartphone extensively during bedtime. 

So, what you can do is, set timers on apps that you use the most. That way, you can be informed when the timer exhausts, and the app won’t run thereafter unless the timer resets the next day. So, today on InkedFreedom, I will talk about how to set timers on apps on Android without downloading any app. Yes, it is possible, and read the whole tutorial to know how.

That said, without any further delay, let’s get started with how to set timers on apps on Android without downloading any third-party app.

How to set timers on apps on Android

Most Android smartphones of today have the Digital Wellbeing app by Google that keeps a track of how long different apps are being used in the foreground. However, you might not find it in the app drawer.

The best way is to search for Digital Wellbeing in Settings. Here you should find it.

On opening Digital Wellbeing, you will find the following interface. You will find a glimpse of the screen time of the top apps, and several other settings. Scroll down, and tap on ‘Dashboard’.

Here, you will find a list of all the installed apps in decreasing the order of screen time. Tap on the hourglass corresponding to the app you want to set a timer for.

Now, simply use the scroll input to set the hours and minutes, and when you are done, tap on ‘OK’ to set the app timer on Android. Repeat the same steps to set timers on apps for the other ones.

Now start using your phone normally. When you will be using an app continuously, and the time will be about to exhaust, you will get a reminder as shown in the screenshot below. 

After the timer exhausts, the app will be grayed out in the app drawer and you can no longer access the app. 

If you want to reduce smartphone addiction, you can set timers on apps and that is by far the best way to boost your productivity and shorten your screen time. 

In the case you have serious reasons to use the app longer, which is not advisable if you want to reduce smartphone addiction and hence override the settings set by you, you have the option to extend the timer, or otherwise allow the timer to stop access to the app when the timer exhausts.

Based on the smartphone that you are using, opening Digital Wellbeing, and setting the timer might be different from what I explained here. However, the process shouldn’t be totally different.

Setting timers on apps on a Samsung handset

If you are having a Samsung handset, the Digital Wellbeing app is a little modified. You can find the Digital Wellbeing app in the Settings menu. Just scroll down to find the app.

Here, you will find the screen time of the individual apps. Tap on ‘App timers’ to set a timer for every individual app.

The next steps to set timers on apps are similar to what I mentioned above. The user interface is a little different on Samsung, but the basics to use Digital Wellbeing is mostly the same.

So, that’s all about how to set timers on apps on Android and reduce smartphone addiction. Do you have any questions? Feel free to comment on the same below.