The best ways to minimise screen time on Android to get your life back on track

1. Set timers for apps

It’s not always the phone that’s the problem, sometimes it’s just an app. You may be in the habit of doom-scrolling Instagram or maybe YouTube’s your poison. If that’s the case, you can set a timer for selected apps. After the set timer reaches its end, you’ll no longer be able to access the app for the remainder of the day.

Digital Wellbeing’s timer functionality prevents you from using the app for the remainder of the day when its timer runs out

To set a timer for apps, head to your phone’s settings, scroll to Digital Wellbeing & parental controls, and select Dashboard. Here you’ll see a list of apps. Tap on any app, then select App timer.

2. Focus mode

Think of Focus mode as a more powerful DND (Do not disturb) mode where you can pause distracting apps. When turned on, apps you’ve marked as distracting will no longer be accessible. You’ll also see no notifications from them. The feature is especially useful for when you’re working and only wish to interact with important apps.

To use Focus mode, head to Digital Wellbeing > Focus mode. Here, check all apps you find distracting. Next, hit the “Turn on now” button.

3. Bedtime mode

Bedtime mode silences your phone, dims the wallpaper, and turns the screen black and white to help you sleep better at night. The feature is again accessible from the Digital Wellbeing app.

Use a custom launcher

Olauncher promises to “help you on your goal to digital detox and live a life free from unwanted distraction” (Image credits: Olauncher)

One of the greatest plus points of Android is the ability to change the default launcher. If Digital Wellbeing feels like too much work, then a minimalist launcher will save the day. The whole point of such launchers is to make your phone appear as boring as possible so that you are less tempted to use it. That involves replacing your wallpaper with a black/white background, doing away with app icons, and hiding unimportant notifications. Some of the best apps for the purpose include Indistract Minimalist Launcher, Olauncher, and Ratio: Productivity Homescreen – all of which are available on the Google Play Store.

Try the Forest app

(Image credits: Forest)

Building a good habit doesn’t always have to be about forcing yourself into behaving in a particular way. Sometimes, all it needs is a little push – some positive reinforcement. For that, Forest: Focus for Productivity is simply perfect. You plant a seed in it when you need to put down your phone to get something done. As you stay focused, the seed will grow into a tree. But if you use your phone, the tree will wither away.