How to Monitor Your Screen Time on Smartphones
We use our phones for everything — messaging, work, entertainment, navigation, social media and more. But with so much time spent staring at the screen, it’s easy to lose track of how long we’re actually using our devices each day.
Whether you’re aiming for healthier digital habits, trying to reduce distractions or simply curious about your usage, both iPhone and Android phones offer simple tools to help you track and manage your screen time.
If you're noticing your phone slowing down because of heavy usage, take a look at our Why Is My Smartphone So Slow? guide.
How to Check Screen Time on iPhone
Apple includes a built-in feature called Screen Time that gives you a detailed breakdown of how you use your device throughout the day and week.
To view your Screen Time:
- Open Settings
- Tap Screen Time
- View your daily or weekly report
You’ll see:
- Your most-used apps
- How many times you pick up your phone
- How many notifications you receive
- Average total screen time
Useful Screen Time features:
- App Limits — set time limits for apps like TikTok or Instagram
- Downtime — restrict access to apps during certain hours
- Content & Privacy Restrictions — ideal for managing children’s phone use
- Always Allowed — choose apps that stay available even during downtime
How to Check Screen Time on Android
Most Android devices use Digital Wellbeing, Google’s built-in tool for monitoring phone usage.
To access Digital Wellbeing:
- Open Settings
- Tap Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
- Check your usage dashboard
You’ll see:
- Total screen time per day
- App-specific usage
- Notification count
- Unlock frequency
Digital Wellbeing tools include:
- App Timers — limit time spent on certain apps
- Wind Down mode — greyscale + Do Not Disturb for better sleep
- Focus Mode — block distracting apps in one tap
- Bedtime Mode — quiets your phone at night
How to Reduce Screen Time
If you’re using your phone more than you’d like, try these simple tips:
- Set daily app time limits
- Turn off unnecessary notifications
- Use Focus Mode / Do Not Disturb during work hours
- Charge your phone away from your bed
- Replace scrolling habits with something else (podcasts, reading, walks)
Want to get even more out of your phone’s battery while reducing screen use? Read our How to Extend Your Phone Battery Life guide.
Is High Screen Time Bad for Your Phone?
It doesn’t directly damage your device, but:
- Your battery may drain faster
- Your phone may heat up more often
- Performance can slow down over time
- You may find yourself distracted more easily
If your device is struggling to keep up with your usage, it may simply be time for an upgrade. Browse our refurbished smartphone range to find great-value phones built for heavy day-to-day use.
