Google has added a new feature to its Digital Wellbeing app to help users manage their time on apps more effectively. The new Screen Time Reminders feature acts as a gentle alert when you’ve spent too much time on specific apps, helping you balance your screen time and daily life.
According to an X post by Android expert Mishaal Rehman, this feature, which is similar to tools available on iOS devices, displays a pop-up notification when you exceed your set time limit for an app.
The notification shows how long you’ve been using the app and encourages you to take a break. This way, you’re reminded that you’ve spent too much time on a distracting app and now you can step away from your phone without feeling like you’re being forced to stop.
Google is rolling out a new feature in the Digital Wellbeing app called screen time reminders.
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) November 16, 2024
This feature gives you gentle reminders when you've been using selected apps for a long time. The reminder comes in the form of a pill that appears at the top of the screen.
The… pic.twitter.com/oTFjlshbOG
How It Works
This feature shows how much time you’ve spent on an app and encourages you to take a break, rest your eyes, and focus on other activities. To use the Screen Time Reminders feature, follow these steps:
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Navigate to Digital Wellbeing and select Screen Time Reminders.
- Enable the feature by turning on Use Reminders.
- Choose the apps you want to monitor, such as social media or games.
Once set up, the feature will keep track of your time on the selected apps and remind you when you’ve used them for too long.
A New Approach to Screen Time Management
Unlike other features like app limits or focus modes that block app usage entirely, this feature is more flexible. It doesn’t lock me out of apps but instead gives me the freedom to decide whether to continue using them. This softer approach makes it easier for me to adopt healthier habits over time.
My Personal Experience with Screen Time
A few weeks ago, I noticed how much time I was wasting on social media. My evenings would disappear into an endless loop of watching reels. I decided to try some app timers, but they felt too harsh.
I hated being locked out of apps I needed for work or communication, so I often turned off the timers entirely. When I heard about Google’s Screen Time Reminders, it felt perfect to me. After enabling the feature, I picked Instagram and Reddit as my main distractions.
The first time the pop-up reminded me that I’d spent 45 minutes scrolling, I was shocked. It was like a gentle wake-up call, and it made me stop without feeling guilty or forced.
Rolling Out Gradually
Currently, the Screen Time Reminders feature is being rolled out to a limited number of users. Google plans to make it available to everyone in the coming days.
This update shows that Google is committed to improving its Digital Wellbeing tools, offering you more control over your phone usage. If you’re someone who often loses track of time while scrolling through reels or playing games, this feature might be a helpful addition to your daily routine.
Keep an eye on your device settings to see when the feature becomes available for you.
