Digital Wellbeing App timers set a daily time budget for specific apps. When the time runs out, Android grays out the app and shows a reminder instead of opening it normally.
These steps apply to Android 10 and later on Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola, and similar phones. Samsung also labels this area Digital Wellbeing.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want a built-in nudge to reduce time in social apps, games, video apps, or other attention traps without installing a third-party blocker.
Set a Timer for One App
- Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
- Tap Dashboard, or open the app list.
- Find the app you want to limit.
- Tap the hourglass or timer icon, or open the app details and tap App timer.
- Set the daily limit in hours and minutes.
- Tap OK.
The timer resets at midnight. Usage for that app counts during the day until the limit is reached.
Get More Time for Today
- Try to open the grayed-out app.
- Read the timer message.
- Tap More time today or the similar option.
- Choose extra time, such as 15 minutes, or remove the limit for the rest of the day.
Extra time applies only for that day. The original timer returns the next day.
Manage or Remove Timers
- Return to Digital Wellbeing Dashboard.
- Tap the timer icon next to the app.
- Change the time, choose No timer, or tap Remove timer.
- Review the usage chart to see how much time is already used today.
Important App Timer Notes
It Is a Soft Limit
App timers on your own phone can be changed by you. They are meant to interrupt habits, not enforce a locked parental control.
Use Family Link for Children
If you need limits a child cannot remove themselves, use Google Family Link from a parent account instead of only Digital Wellbeing on the child device.
Timers Are Per App
Set a separate timer for each app you want to limit. A browser timer does not automatically limit every website inside it.
Sources
- Google Support: Set app timers with Digital Wellbeing
- Google Support: Get started with Digital Wellbeing
- Samsung Support: Set app timers on your Galaxy phone