# Hack Your Screen Time With These iOS 18 and Android 16 Wellness Settings
Are you tired of feeling like you're stuck in a digital rut? Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone or laptop, only to realize hours have passed by without you even noticing? You're not alone. In today's digital age, it's easy to get sucked into the vortex of social media, email, and work-related tasks, leading to excessive screen time that can be detrimental to our physical and mental health.
But fear not! Apple and Google have come to the rescue with their digital well-being features, designed to help us disconnect and maintain a healthier balance between our online and offline lives. In this article, we'll explore how to set up app timers, downtime, and bedtime mode on both iOS 18 and Android 16 devices, helping you take control of your screen time and make positive changes to your digital habits.
## Setting Up App Timers on Apple Devices
For those who use Apple devices, setting up app timers is a straightforward process. By adding a timer to apps in your settings, you're giving yourself an allotted amount of time on each app – once time is up, Apple will stop your scroll and alert you that it's time to log off.
To get started, make sure screen time notifications are allowed by going to Settings > Notifications > Screen Time. Ensure you have enabled Allow Notifications and Time Sensitive Notifications.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create time limits for your apps on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac:
* To set up app timers, go to the Control Center (tap the clock icon in the bottom right corner of the screen) or Settings > Screen Time > App Limits. * Choose the app you want to limit and set a timer for it. You can choose from various time options, including 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, or more. * Once you're approaching your set time limit, Apple will send you a notification when you've got 5 minutes remaining. * After you hit your limit, the app stops whatever it's doing and presents you with a new screen that prompts you to tap OK to exit the app. If you're doing something particularly urgent, you can tap Ignore Limit below. * After you've hit your limit for the day, the app will appear grayed out on your home screen with an empty timer next to it.
## Scheduling Downtime on Apple Devices
Another way to limit your screen time on Apple devices is to schedule downtime. Downtime is just what it sounds like – time to put down your device and do something else. This setting will alert you once your chosen rest period begins.
Here's how to set up downtime:
* Go to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime. * Choose a specific time period when you want to schedule downtime (e.g., 6 PM – 10 PM). * Set the type of alert you receive during this period (e.g., a notification, a message from your family). * You can also add exceptions for specific apps or situations.
## Setting Up App Timers and Bedtime Mode on Android Devices
For those who use Android devices, setting up app timers is also straightforward. These settings give you the same options as Apple to set an allotment of time you can spend on each app.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up app timers:
* To set up app timers, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & usage > App timing. * Choose the app you want to limit and set a timer for it. You can choose from various time options, including 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, or more. * After setting the timer, you'll be able to see how much time you've spent on the app.
App timers on Android phones reset each day at midnight.
## Setting Up Bedtime Mode on Android Devices
You can also limit your screen time by establishing a bedtime routine for your Android. This will alert you when it's time to put your device down for the night according to your schedule.
Here's how to set up bedtime mode:
* Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & usage > Bedtime mode. * Choose your preferred bedtime hours and set the type of alert you receive during this period (e.g., a notification, a message from your family). * You can also add exceptions for specific apps or situations.
By taking control of our screen time and implementing these digital wellness settings, we can maintain a healthier balance between our online and offline lives. Whether you're looking to reduce your screen time, improve your mental health, or simply enjoy more free time, these features are here to help.