Summary

• Android screen time reminders are notifications that alert you about the duration spent on an app.
• To activate them, go to the Digital Wellbeing settings on Android to enhance awareness of your usage habits.
• These reminders gently prompt breaks from excessive screen time without imposing strict limitations.

In today’s world, screen time has become one of our biggest challenges. Many of us spend a large portion of our day staring at various screens, whether it’s a phone, computer, or both.

To address unhealthy habits effectively, becoming conscious of the outcomes of your actions is key. That’s why I’d like to introduce you to a fantastic wellbeing feature on Android—screen time reminders.

What Are Android Screen Time Reminders?

Screen time reminders function as small alerts that intermittently display on your screen while using apps, informing you of the time you’ve invested in them. Once enabled, these reminders subtly show up as on-screen pop-ups when you’ve spent a notable amount of time on a particular app. Typically, these reminders occur approximately every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the app, and can accumulate—if you’ve spent two hours endlessly browsing TikTok or Instagram, the app will notify you accordingly.

You can combine this feature with other wellbeing tools to restrict app usage, but independently, it merely warns you about the time spent on the app without preventing further use. Pairing it with app limits could yield better results; for example, a reminder can notify you of the portion of your daily app time already used, like TikTok. You can also opt to disable reminders for specific apps you wish to avoid being reminded about.

This feature debuted in November 2024 and offers a subtle method to heighten your awareness of usage habits without enforcing strict controls.

How Do You Enable Them?

It’s worth noting that this isn’t a standard Android feature accessible directly as a setting. Instead, it’s part of Google’s Digital Wellbeing suite of features. You’ll find it alongside options like app timers to control app usage, or bedtime mode, which silences calls and notifications by enabling Do Not Disturb and adjusts the screen to grayscale to reduce engagement before sleep. These features collectively promote healthier smartphone use and encourage you to step away from your device occasionally.

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PostsTo access this feature, navigate to your Settings app, select Digital Wellbeing, and toggle on the “Screen time reminders” option. Enabling it is straightforward. From this menu, you can turn on reminders or exempt certain apps from receiving them—consider apps like banking tools or essential utilities where you’re not prone to excessive screen time.

How Effective Are They?

From my experience, even without app timers or other restrictions, these reminders can highlight the impact of poor habits. I’ve been utilizing them for several months, and they serve as mild prompts to possibly stop late-night TikTok scrolling, though they don’t forcibly exit the app.

While somewhat bothersome, they’re likely designed to be so. They appear every 15 minutes, tracking continuous app usage, and account for total time spent even if you pause and return.

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Posts 1 Mostly, they’ve increased my awareness of the time I’m dedicating to social media. Recently, a screen time reminder informed me I had spent two consecutive hours aimlessly scrolling through TikTok—I promptly closed the app and headed to the park. Some individuals may benefit from pairing this feature with actual app timers to create a more impactful tool to reduce phone usage. However, as a casual, mildly assertive reminder to step away from your device, it works well.

If you wish to try it yourself, ensure your phone includes the Digital Wellbeing section in Settings and check if screen time reminders are available. If they are, give it a shot. There’s no better reminder than one reminding you to make better use of your time.

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