Your Android phone already tracks screen time, but the setting is easy to miss when Digital Wellbeing is tucked inside Settings instead of the app drawer. Start with the built-in dashboard to see total use, app activity, website time in Chrome, or a child’s device activity through Family Link.
Check your screen time in Android settings
Open Settings on your Android phone or tablet. Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. Review the chart or dashboard for total screen time and app usage.
Tap the chart to see more detail. Then tap an app listed under the chart to see its usage details, including time spent and opens or notifications on devices that show those metrics.
Digital Wellbeing is available on Android 9 and later, but not every phone includes it; Google notes the info appears on some phones, and the settings you see vary by device, manufacturer, and Android version. Google documents the Screen time widget on Android 9 and later devices, while Samsung requires Android 10 or later for Digital Wellbeing features on Galaxy phones and tablets.
Show Digital Wellbeing in your app list
The most common cause is that Digital Wellbeing is available inside Settings but hidden from the regular app list. Open Settings. Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
Turn on Show icon in the app list. Open Digital Wellbeing from the app list the next time you want to check screen time. On compatible devices, update the Digital Wellbeing system component from its Google Play page.
Add a Screen time widget
Use this method when you want a quick home-screen view instead of opening Settings. The widget shows the top apps used that day.
Touch and hold an empty area on your home screen. Tap Widgets. Choose Digital Wellbeing.
Touch and hold the Screen time widget. Place the widget on the home screen.
Use Samsung Galaxy screen time
On a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, open Settings and tap Digital Wellbeing and parental controls. Review Screen time and the daily or weekly usage information shown there.
For individual app usage, tap the usage chart or open App timers. Samsung uses this area for both app usage and timer settings.
Use Screen time goal to compare current use against a daily goal. On supported Galaxy devices, the weekly report or calendar-style view shows past usage.
See screen time for one app
Open Settings. Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. Look under the chart and tap the app you want to inspect.
Review the usage details shown for that app, such as time spent and opens or notifications where your device includes them. Exact app metrics vary by app, device, and Android version.
Check time spent on websites in Chrome
Use this method when you want website activity inside Chrome instead of Chrome as one app total. Site-level Chrome reporting appears on Android devices with Digital Wellbeing and Chrome site reporting enabled.
Open Settings. Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. Tap the usage chart.
Tap Chrome. If Chrome is not listed, tap Show all apps first. Tap Show sites.
Tap Show. Review the time spent on websites in Chrome.
Check a child’s screen time with Family Link
This fixes the parent-view problem: your own Digital Wellbeing screen shows your device, while Family Link shows a supervised child’s Android device. Open the Family Link app. At the top left, select the child.
At the bottom left, tap Screen time. Review the child’s screen time and app activity.
Tap Time limits, then turn on Daily limit or tap Weekly schedule to review or adjust allowed screen time. For a nightly or school-hours cutoff, tap Screen time and then Schedules, and turn on Downtime or School time.
To manage from a browser, go to familylink.google.com or g.co/YourFamily, sign in with the parent account, select the child, and use the available screen time or time limit controls.
Skip Battery usage for screen time
The most common outdated shortcut is treating Settings > Battery > Battery usage as a screen-time dashboard. Battery usage shows app battery consumption, not the supported Android screen-time view. Use Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls for actual screen time.
Ignore advice about removing or disabling Digital Wellbeing to reset or manage screen time. Samsung Galaxy devices do not allow Digital Wellbeing to be removed or disabled, and Android treats Digital Wellbeing as a settings or system component.
Use Digital Wellbeing on managed Android phones
Open Settings on the managed Android phone. Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls when the device includes it. Use the dashboard there for personal screen-time information.
For a work-managed phone, your organization’s device policy is separate from the consumer screen-time dashboard. Use Digital Wellbeing for everyday screen-time checking on Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check Android screen time without installing another app?
Yes. Current Android phones and tablets that include Digital Wellbeing show screen time in Settings under Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
Why does my Android phone show different screen-time options than another phone?
Digital Wellbeing availability and specific metrics vary by device, manufacturer, and Android version. Samsung Galaxy devices use Digital Wellbeing and parental controls with Samsung’s own layout.
Can parents check a child’s Android screen time from their own phone?
Yes. Parents managing a supervised child Google Account use the Family Link app, select the child, and review screen time and app activity from Screen time. Use Screen time > Time limits for the daily limit and weekly schedule, and Screen time > Schedules for Downtime.
Is Battery usage the same as screen time on Android?
No. Battery usage shows app battery consumption. For actual screen time, use Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.