How to check your app usage on Android and iPhone

Our smartphones are loaded with a plethora of apps, from finance and productivity to social media. There are also entertainment app,s and some of us also play games during our leisure time. At times, this may turn out to be addictive as it’s easy to be glued and lose track of time spent in front of a screen. Our usage of our smartphones also says a lot about our digital habits. 

Fortunately, Android and iPhones come with built-in tools to help users monitor their time spent on different apps. Along with revealing the app activity, the feature also provides detailed insights on a daily and weekly basis, notification tracking, phone unlocks, etc, on both devices.

The tool is also an excellent option for parents who want to keep a tab on their child’s smartphone usage, set parental controls, and limit any app activity. 

ALSO READ: How to childproof your smartphone

The steps to track app usage are different on Android phones and iPhones. In this post, we walk you through the process. 

How to check app usage on Android

Android phones running version 9.0 and later come with Digital Wellbeing. Here’s how to access it. 

1. Open the Settings app. 
2. Scroll down and tap on Digital Wellbeing. 
3. On the home page, tap on ‘ view activity details’ just below the dashboard. 
4. Here, you will see the total screen time for the day and a list of apps below that contribute towards it. 

How to check app usage on iPhone

For those using an iPhone, Apple makes it easier to monitor app usage through Screen Time available on iOS 12.2 and later. Follow the steps below. 

1. Launch the Settings app. 
2. Scroll down and tap on Screen Time. 
3. You will be shown the average daily screen time. 
4. Select ‘all app and website activity’. 
5. On this page, you can see the most used apps and the time spent on each. 

Apple also groups apps into specific categories, allowing you to see how much time you spend on similar apps. 

Additionally, Android phones and iPhones allow you to check how many times you’ve opened a particular app and the number of notifications received. The built-in tools on both devices help you manage screen time, boost productivity, and even improve battery life.