How to Check Screen Time on Android and iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s face it, screens are everywhere, and kids are glued to their phones, tablets, or even gaming devices. While technology isn’t all bad, too much screen time can mess with sleep, grades, and even mood. As a parent, keeping track of your child’s screen time is a smart move, and both iPhone and Android devices have tools to make it easier.
This guide will walk you through how to check screen time on Android and iPhone, and introduce you to Msafely, a top-notch parental control app for keeping tabs on your child’s digital habits and safety.
How to Check Screen Time on iPhone
If you’ve ever wondered how much time you or your child spends on an iPhone, Apple’s built-in Screen Time feature makes it easy to find out. It’s a powerful tool designed to track device usage, offering insights into app activity, notifications, and even how many times you pick up your phone. Screen Time is great for personal accountability or for parents who want to monitor their child’s device habits.
What is Screen Time on iPhone?
Screen Time is Apple’s way of helping users manage their digital habits. It provides a detailed overview of how you use your device, breaking it down by app, app category, and overall screen time. With this feature, you can set app limits, schedule downtime, and restrict content to ensure healthier device usage.
Here’s how you can check screen time on an iPhone:
1. Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Find Screen Time: Scroll down and select Screen Time from the menu.
3. View Insights: Once inside, you’ll see a detailed dashboard showing:
● Total screen time for the day or week.
● Time spent on individual apps.
● The number of notifications received.
● How many times the phone was picked up.
For parents, you can enable Family Sharing to monitor and set limits on your child’s device remotely.
How to Check Screen Time on Android
If you’re wondering how much time your child (or even you) spends scrolling, gaming, or binge-watching on their Android device, here’s the deal: Android has a built-in feature called Digital Wellbeing. It’s designed to track screen time, app usage, and notifications, giving you a clear picture of how the device is being used. With this tool, you can easily identify apps that take up too much time and set limits to encourage healthier habits.
What is Digital Wellbeing?
Digital Wellbing is Google’s way of helping Android users keep tabs on how they use their devices and make healthier choices when it comes to technology. Whether you’re concerned about endless scrolling on social media or getting distracted during homework, Digital Wellbeing offers tools to track and manage screen time effectively.
With features like app timers, focus mode, and bedtime mode, Digital Wellbeing lets you control how much time is spent on apps and minimize distractions when you need to concentrate. For parents, it even includes basic tools to guide kids’ screen habits. While it’s not a cure-all, it’s a good starting point for building better digital habits. Think of it as a fitness tracker, but for your screen time.
How to Set Up Digital Wellbeing on Android
Setting up Digital Wellbeing is simple, and it doesn’t take more than a few minutes. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Settings App: Go to the Settings menu on your Android device.
2. Find Digital Wellbeing: Scroll down and select Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
3. Access the Dashboard: Tap on the Dashboard to view screen time stats, including app usage, notifications, and unlock counts.
4. Set App Timers: Tap on App Timers from the dashboard. Select the apps you want to limit and set daily usage limits.
5. Enable Focus Mode: In the menu, tap Focus Mode. Choose distracting apps to pause, then activate Focus Mode during work or study times.
6. Turn On Bedtime Mode: Go to Bedtime Mode settings. Set start and end times for when your phone will switch to grayscale and mute notifications to help you wind down.
7. Set Up Parental Controls: Tap Set Up Parental Controls and follow the prompts to link your child’s account to your Google Family Link account.
Once you’re set up, you’ll have better control over your (or your child’s) screen time habits.
Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls
Digital Wellbeing isn’t just for managing your own habits—it also helps parents oversee their kids’ device use. With features like screen time tracking, app timers, and content filters, it’s a good starting point for families trying to encourage healthy screen habits. However, it has its limits. It doesn’t let you monitor what kids are doing within apps, track their location in real time, or set geofences for added safety. For parents who need more control and peace of mind, Msafely steps in with advanced tools like location tracking, messenger monitoring, and real-time alerts, making it a smarter choice for families.
Msafely: The Best Parental Control App to Track Kid's Screen Time
Msafely is a powerful parental control app that helps parents monitor their child’s digital habits and ensure their safety. It tracks screen time, app usage, real-time location, and online interactions, promoting a balanced and secure digital environment. Bridging the gap between exploration and safety, Msafely offers tools to guide kids' device use while protecting them from potential risks. With its real-time insights and comprehensive features, Msafely gives parents peace of mind and fosters healthier tech habits for their children.
Let’s take a closer look at its main functions and how they help create a safer digital experience.
Track Screen Time
Screen time can easily get out of hand, especially with kids who love games, YouTube, or social media. Msafely lets you monitor how much time your child spends on their device, breaking it down app by app. This way, you can spot patterns, identify excessive use, and take steps to create balance. You can even set daily time limits, ensuring your child doesn’t spend hours glued to their screen. By knowing how they spend their time online, you can encourage healthier habits, like more time spent outdoors or on educational activities.
Track App Usage
It’s not just about how long your child is using their phone—it’s also about what they’re using it for. Msafely gives you detailed insights into which apps your child is spending the most time on. Whether it’s gaming, social media, or learning apps, you’ll have a clear picture. You can block apps that you find inappropriate or set restrictions for apps that are becoming distractions. This feature is particularly useful for balancing entertainment with productivity, ensuring kids don’t neglect schoolwork or family time.
Monitor Messengers
With messaging apps being a major part of how kids communicate today, it’s important to ensure their online interactions are safe. Msafely allows parents to monitor messaging platforms like WhatsApp or other social apps to keep an eye out for inappropriate conversations or potential risks. Whether it’s online bullying, scams, or harmful interactions, this feature helps you stay ahead of problems before they escalate. It’s not about invading privacy but about keeping your child safe in a connected world.
Track Location in Real Time
Knowing where your child is at all times provides an added layer of security. Msafely’s real-time location tracking lets you see exactly where your child is on a live map. Whether they’re at school, a friend’s house, or out for extracurricular activities, you’ll always know their whereabouts. You can also check location history to track where they’ve been during the day, which is especially helpful for ensuring they’ve arrived safely at their destinations.
Set Geofences
Geofencing takes location tracking one step further by allowing you to set virtual boundaries around specific areas, like home, school, or the park. When your child enters or exits these zones, Msafely sends you an instant notification. This is perfect for ensuring they’re where they’re supposed to be and for creating safe zones where you know they’re protected. Geofencing gives you an extra layer of control and reassurance, making it easier to manage their safety without constant check-ins.
Final Thoughts: Why Managing Screen Time is Important
Managing screen time isn’t about being overly strict — it’s about finding a healthy balance. Whether you’re figuring out how to check screen time on Android or how to check screen time on iPhone, the goal is the same: making sure screen use doesn’t overshadow other important parts of life. Too much time online can impact sleep, focus, and even mood, while also taking away from family time or outdoor activities.
When you actively manage the screen use, you’re creating space for other meaningful moments. With tools like Msafely, or built-in features like Digital Wellbeing or Screen Time, it’s easier to monitor habits, set boundaries, and encourage healthier routines for both yourself and your kids. The key is using technology in a way that supports your lifestyle, not letting it take over.