How to Master Digital Wellbeing on Android
Digital Wellbeing is a powerful yet often overlooked feature on Android smartphones. It helps you manage your tech usage, reduce distractions, and build healthier digital habits. With Digital Wellbeing, you can take control of your smartphone and be more productive with your time. In this guide, we will explore all the features of Digital Wellbeing and learn how to use them effectively on your Android phone.
Understanding Digital Wellbeing Dashboard
The Digital Wellbeing Dashboard provides valuable insights into your smartphone usage. It shows you how much time you spend on your phone, which apps you use the most, and how often you unlock your device. The dashboard also tracks your notifications and offers tools to help you stay focused and productive. To access the dashboard and view your screen time data, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
- Scroll down and open “Digital Wellbeing & parental controls”.
- You will see a circular graph that displays your screen time for today and the most used apps. Tap on the dashboard to view a detailed screen time bar for previous days.
Setting Screen Time Limits for Apps
If you find that certain apps are consuming too much of your time, you can set screen time limits for them. This feature allows you to control your app usage and avoid excessive distractions. Here's how to set screen time limits for apps:
- Launch the Settings app and go to “Digital Wellbeing & parental controls”.
- Tap on “Dashboard”.
- Choose the app for which you want to set a time limit.
- Tap on “App Timer” and set the desired hours and minutes.
- Tap “OK” to set the limit.
When the app reaches its time limit, it will be blocked from further use. You can adjust or remove the limit in the same settings.
Setting Screen Time Limits for Websites
If you find yourself spending too much time on certain websites, you can set time limits for them using Digital Wellbeing. This feature helps you maintain a healthy balance between your online activities and real-life commitments. Here's how to set screen time limits for websites:
- Open the “Digital Wellbeing & parental control” settings.
- Go to “Dashboard”.
- Scroll down to the browser you use.
- Tap on “Show sites that you visit”.
- Tap “Show” in the popup.
- Select the website you want to limit and set the desired hours and minutes.
Once the time limit is reached, the website will be blocked. You can modify the limit or grant more time in the same settings.
Using Focus Mode to Stay Focused
Focus Mode is a powerful tool that helps you stay productive by temporarily pausing distracting apps and their notifications. Whether you're working on an important task or simply need some uninterrupted time, Focus Mode can help you stay on track. Here's how to enable Focus Mode:
- Open the “Digital Wellbeing & parental control” settings.
- Tap on “Focus Mode”.
- Select the apps that distract you.
- Tap on “Set a Schedule” at the top.
- Set the desired days and time and tap “Set”.
When Focus Mode is active, the chosen apps will be grayed out and their notifications will be muted. You can also add Focus Mode to the Quick Settings panel for easy access.
Embrace Bedtime Mode for Better Sleep
Bedtime Mode is a handy feature that helps you maintain a healthy sleep routine by automatically adjusting your phone's display and silencing notifications while you're in bed. Here's how to use Bedtime Mode:
- Open the “Digital Wellbeing & parental control” settings.
- Tap on “Bedtime mode”.
- Choose between “Based on schedule” or “While charging at bedtime”.
- Set the desired time and days.
- You can customize the feature to retain color or sound by tapping on “customize” in the same settings.
Bedtime Mode ensures that your phone doesn't disturb your sleep and allows for a peaceful night's rest.
Setting Up Parental Controls for Your Child
Digital Wellbeing also includes robust parental control features that allow you to monitor and manage your child's screen time and app usage. Here's how to set up parental controls:
- Open the “Digital Wellbeing & parental control” settings.
- Tap on “Set up parental controls” at the bottom of the screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Google Family Link.
- Once installed, you can set up the necessary controls and restrictions for your child's device.
Parental controls help you ensure that your child has a healthy and balanced relationship with technology.
Making Digital Wellbeing Easily Accessible
To quickly access the Digital Wellbeing Dashboard, you can add the Digital Wellbeing app to your app list. This allows you to view your screen time data with just a few taps. Here's how to show the Digital Wellbeing app in your app list:
- Open the “Digital Wellbeing and parental control” settings.
- Scroll down and toggle on “Show icon in the app list”.
Once enabled, the Digital Wellbeing app will be visible in your app drawer/list and can even be added to your home screen for quick access.
Disabling Digital Wellbeing Dashboard
If you no longer wish to use the Digital Wellbeing Dashboard or want to stop it from tracking your activities, you can disable it. Here's how to manage your data with Digital Wellbeing:
- Launch the “Digital Wellbeing & parental control” settings.
- Tap the three-dot menu at the top right corner.
- Tap on “Manage your data”.
- Turn off “Daily device usage”.
- Confirm by tapping “Turn off in Settings”.
Please note that turning off Digital Wellbeing will result in the deletion of all your data within 24 hours. If you decide to turn it back on, the dashboard will only display the last ten days of data stored on your device.
Finding Balance with Digital Wellbeing
Digital Wellbeing is a powerful tool that can help you find a healthy balance between technology and life. By using its features effectively, you can take control of your digital habits and make the most of your time. Google is continuously improving Digital Wellbeing and introducing new features to help users maintain a healthy relationship with their devices. So, embrace the power of Digital Wellbeing and unlock a more productive and balanced digital life on your Android phone.

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”