Where to Find Screen Time on Samsung Devices
Samsung phones track how much time you spend on your device and individual apps through the Digital Wellbeing feature, built into most Samsung models running Android 9 or later. You can see this data in the Settings app under a section called Digital Wellbeing and parental controls. The screen time information updates throughout the day and resets at midnight each day.
The exact path depends on your Samsung model and Android version, but the feature is always in Settings. You do not need to read anything or turn on a special mode — it runs automatically in the background once your phone is set up.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, then search for "Digital Wellbeing" or scroll to find it under Apps or Advanced features, depending on your Android version.
- The main dashboard shows total screen time for today and a breakdown of time spent in each app.
- You can set app timers to limit how long you can use specific apps before they lock for the rest of the day.
- Screen time data resets at midnight, so you see fresh numbers each morning.
- If Digital Wellbeing does not appear in Settings, your phone may be running an older Android version or the feature may be disabled.
Step-by-Step: Opening Digital Wellbeing
Start by opening the Settings app on your Samsung phone. Tap the search icon at the top (it looks like a magnifying glass) and type "Digital Wellbeing." The feature should appear in the search results — tap it to open.
If the search does not find it, scroll down through the Settings menu and look for a section called Apps or Advanced features. Digital Wellbeing is sometimes nested under one of these categories instead of appearing as its own item. Once you find it, tap to open the main dashboard.
The first screen you see shows your total screen time for today at the top, displayed in hours and minutes. Below that is a colored bar graph showing which apps have used the most time, listed from highest to lowest.
Reading Your Screen Time Breakdown
The main Digital Wellbeing dashboard displays a list of every app you have used today, ranked by time spent. Each app shows a small icon, the app name, and the amount of time in hours and minutes. The apps at the top of the list are the ones consuming the most of your day.
Tap any app in the list to see more detail about that specific app — for example, how many times you opened it, when you used it most, and notifications you received from it. This detail view helps you understand your patterns, like whether you check an app constantly throughout the day or use it in one long session.
The dashboard also shows your daily average screen time at the bottom, calculated from the past week. This number gives you a sense of whether today is typical for you or whether you have spent significantly more or less time on your phone than usual.
Setting App Timers to Limit Usage
Digital Wellbeing lets you set a time limit on any app you choose. When you reach that limit, the app becomes unavailable for the rest of the day — you will see a lock screen if you try to open it. To set a timer, tap the app you want to limit from the main dashboard, then look for an option labeled Set timer or a clock icon.
Tap that option and choose how many minutes you want to allow each day. For example, you might set a 30-minute limit on social media or a 60-minute limit on games. Once the timer is set, the app will show a countdown when you are close to your limit. When time runs out, the app locks until the next day at midnight.
You can change or remove a timer at any time by going back to that app's detail page. Timers reset every day at midnight along with your screen time counter, so each day starts fresh.
Understanding Focus Mode and Do Not Disturb
Digital Wellbeing also includes a feature called Focus mode (on some Samsung models) or Bedtime mode, which silences notifications and limits which apps you can use during set hours. This is different from a timer — instead of locking an app after you use it for a certain amount of time, Focus mode prevents you from using selected apps during a time window you choose.
To set up Focus mode, look for that option in the Digital Wellbeing menu. You can create a schedule (for example, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) and choose which apps to block during those hours. When the scheduled time arrives, those apps become unavailable, and you receive a reminder that Focus mode is active.
This feature is useful if you want to avoid certain apps during work hours, study time, or before bed, rather than tracking how much time you spend on them.
What to Do If Digital Wellbeing Is Missing or Not Working
If you cannot find Digital Wellbeing in Settings, your phone may be running Android 8 or earlier, a version that does not include this feature. Check your Android version by opening Settings, scrolling to the bottom, and tapping About phone. Look for the line that says "Android version." If it shows 8.0 or lower, Digital Wellbeing is not available on your device.
If your phone shows Android 9 or later but Digital Wellbeing still does not appear, the feature may be disabled. Go to Settings, search for "Digital Wellbeing," and if a toggle appears, make sure it is turned on. You can also try restarting your phone, which sometimes makes newly available features appear in the Settings menu.
Some Samsung phones sold through certain carriers or in specific regions may have Digital Wellbeing removed or hidden by the carrier. If you have confirmed your Android version is 9 or later and the feature still does not show up after restarting, contact your carrier to ask whether they have disabled it on your device.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One frequent mistake is checking screen time only once and expecting it to reflect your habits over time. Screen time data resets every day at midnight, so the number you see is only for today. If you want to track patterns over a week or month, you will need to check the daily average or write down your numbers periodically.
Another common error is setting a timer and then forgetting about it. If an app suddenly locks and you cannot figure out why, open Digital Wellbeing and check whether a timer is active. You can disable any timer when ready by tapping the app and removing the time limit.
Some people also confuse Digital Wellbeing with parental controls. While Digital Wellbeing tracks your own usage, the parental controls section (also in Digital Wellbeing) is for monitoring and restricting someone else's device — usually a child's phone. Make sure you are in the right section before making changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see screen time from previous days?
Digital Wellbeing shows only today's screen time on the main dashboard. However, it displays a weekly average at the bottom, which gives you a sense of your typical daily usage. If you need detailed historical data, you can check the app detail pages, which sometimes show usage patterns over the past week, but Samsung does not provide a month-by-month breakdown in the app itself.
Does screen time include time when my phone is locked?
No. Screen time only counts minutes when your screen is actively on and you are using the phone. If your phone is locked or the screen is off, that time does not count toward your total, even if notifications are arriving in the background.
What happens if I reach my app timer limit?
The app becomes locked and unavailable for the rest of the day. You will see a lock screen if you try to open it. The timer resets at midnight, and you can use the app normally again the next day. You can also manually remove the timer at any time by going back to Digital Wellbeing and turning it off.
Can I hide an app from the screen time list?
Digital Wellbeing shows all apps you have used, and there is no built-in option to hide specific apps from the list. However, if you do not want to track an app, you can uninstall it or straightforward avoid using it. The app will stop appearing on the dashboard once you have not used it for several days.
Is Digital Wellbeing the same as Google's Family Link?
No. Digital Wellbeing is Samsung's built-in feature for tracking your own usage. Family Link is Google's parental control app, which is separate and designed for parents to monitor children's devices. You can use both at the same time if you want — Digital Wellbeing for yourself and Family Link to manage a child's phone.