Sometimes, you may find yourself scrolling through Instagram, WhatsApp, or TikTok without realizing that you’ve spent hours doing nothing productive. Fortunately, Apple thought of this and with iOS 12 added its Usage time which helps you track your device usage and limit the time you spend on specific apps.
This tool hides numerous options, although its main objective is that you yourself Be aware of the time you spend on different apps that you have installed on your iPhone (or iPad)
But the Usage Time function It doesn’t just track how often you use your device. You can also limit time in apps, control the type of content you access and schedule periods of inactivity to use your device, not better, but in a healthier way.
In this way, this is all you can do from this menu that you will find within the Apple phone settings:
- App Limits: Set a time limit on apps and categories.
- Downtime: Restrict access to the device, leaving only essential apps and calls available.
- Always Allowed: Select apps that you can access at any time.
- Screen Distance: Reduces visual fatigue.
- Communication Limits: Set limits on calls and messages.
- Communication Security: Protects from sensitive content.
- Content and Privacy Restrictions: Block explicit content, restrict downloads and prevent unauthorized purchases.
How to activate Usage time on iPhone
If you tend to lose track of time on your mobile, activate Usage time To know how and what you spend your time on, it is very simple:
- Open the Settings app
- Down to Usage Time
- Click on App and Website Activity
- Tap Turn on App and Website Activity
Once activated, tracking begins automatically. You can review the report regularly to understand your weekly or daily usage patterns on your mobile or across devices.
How to turn off Screen Time
If at any time you want pause Screen Timeyou can do it the other way around.
- Go to Settings
- Press Usage time
- Tap Turn Off App and Website Activity
Please note that turning it off will delete any data collected, as Apple does not save usage information when you turn this feature off, so you won’t be able to review it again.
Tricks for iPhone Use Time
As we say, here you can’t see alone What apps do you spend the most time on? per week or per day, you can also configure many other things. These are the most interesting.
How to use a code for Screen Time on iPhone
If you want to protect your Screen Time settingsespecially when managing children’s devices, you will need a passcode. This will prevent someone from modifying the settings without your permission.
To configure it, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings
- Enter Usage Time
- Tap Lock Screen Time settings
- Set a 4-digit code
- Enter your email or phone number to recover the code
- Enter your Apple ID password
If, as we have said, you want know how much time you use, not just your iPhonebut the rest of the firm’s devices, you can also configure it.
Simply sign in with your Apple ID and turn on Device Sharing in settings to get a complete view of how Apple dominates your life.
How to set idle hours
The Sleep function allows you to establish periods where only selected apps will be available, avoiding distractions during meetings or before bed.
To configure it:
- Go to Settings
- Enter Usage Time
- Tap Downtime
- Select Activate Downtime Until Tomorrow or Schedule
With the scheduling option, you can customize days or set a fixed time, like 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
How to set limits for browsing and websites
Reduce browsing time or controlling the content that can be accessed from your smartphone can be useful for parents or those looking for less harmful use.
To configure it:
- Go to Settings again
- Enter Usage Time
- Press App Limits
- Select Add Limit
- Choose Websites
- Now click on Add Website
- Enter the URL you want to limit
This is ideal to avoid the many online distractions that you may encounter every day while browsing the Internet to search for information or work.
See the number of times you unlock your device
From the iPhone Usage Time reportyou can see how many times you unlock your device per day, and you will surely be surprised to find out. According to Apple, this metric is useful for knowing how often you access your phone, helping you be more aware of your habits and reduce unnecessary unlocks.
To view it:
- Go to Settings
- Enter Usage Time
- Take a look at the Device Queries section
Set contact limitations
One of the Advantages of Screen Time is that you can also establish contact limits when establishing inactivity periods for your Apple smartphone
To configure it:
- Go to Settings one last time
- Enter Usage Time
- Press Always allowed
- Set the apps you want to restrict contact access to
