Control screen time and usage statistics by application It's key to optimizing phone performance, improving digital wellbeing, and making decisions which apps to keep or uninstallAndroid offers several ways to obtain this data: from a hidden menu accessible with a code, up to the native solution Digital Wellbeing, in addition to options from manufacturers and third-party apps.
As you know, when writing code in the telephone dialer It's possible to access menus we wouldn't normally have access to on our smartphones. With one of these codes, we can access app usage statistics. And we can see data about how long we've used the apps and when we last used them.
Access code to hidden menu
First, we will need to enter the access code that allows us to reach the hidden menu of our Android mobileTo do this, we need to go to the phone dialer. Just like when making a phone call, we can enter one of these codes. The code to enter on the mobile phone is... * # * # * # * # 4636
This hidden menu allows you to access app statistics. In fact, by entering this code, as if you were making a call, the menu appears. Here you'll see an option called Usage statisticsOnce you access this, you can see the application usage timeas well as a last time that you have used it. This way, you can easily see how long you have used each application. In fact, it is quite useful to be able to sort the list of applications by usage time of each app to see which one we have used the most.
Generally, we can see what apps consume more batteryBut perhaps we want to see which apps do we use most by timeAnd this option is really simple and easy to use, plus it will give us access to the hidden Android menu where we will have more options for advanced users in Google's operating system.
A neat little trick for any Android user who wants access to more options on their smartphone and wants to know which apps they use the most—something that can be useful for understanding... which apps to uninstall.
View statistics with Digital Wellbeing on Android
In addition to the hidden menu, Android integrates Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controlsthe native option for viewing the screen time per app, The number of unlocks and notifications received. Here you can:
- See a chart with today's usage and access to the detailed list by app tapping the total time.
- Consult weekly comparisons and browse through previous days.
- Open a specific app to see its individual statistics and adjust daily timers (usage limit).
If you activate the option App Timer, you will be able to define a maximum limit of time per day. When that time is reached, Android will block the app until the next day. Timers reset at midnight and you can remove them whenever you need to.
Native manufacturer alternatives and views on Samsung/Pixel
Various manufacturers incorporate their own layer or quick access to the Digital Wellbeing panel:
- Pixel (pure Android): Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and tap the time ring to view daily and weekly details. If this is your first time, the option may appear Show information.
- Samsung (One UI): Settings > Digital Wellbeing; then tap the graph icon to see the weekly breakdown with most used apps y time per day.
- Other manufacturers: Some renamed the function (for example, Digital balanceThe logic is the same: a panel with usage by app, limits, and focus tools.
Screen time widget
To see your three most used apps of the day, adds the screen time widget From the home screen. Press and hold on the desktop, enter Widgets and drag the one corresponding to Digital well-beingIt's a quick way to remember your habits without opening Settings.
Control the time you spend in Google Chrome and on websites
Digital Wellbeing allows you to see time spent on websites When you browse with Chrome. From the panel:
- Sign in Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls and touch the chart.
- Finds Chrome and enter to see the option Show websites.
- Check the list with time per site And, if you like, add a website timer to limit your browsing.
Sleep Mode and Distraction-Free Mode
If you're looking to reduce interruptions or create a healthy routine, use these tools:
- Rest mode: program times to dim the screen, activate grayscaledark theme and, if you want, Do not botherYou can activate it by schedule or during the load.
- Distraction-Free Mode: choose apps to pause so that they cannot be opened or receive notifications from them for a specific time or according to a schedule.
Quick access to both from the quick settings if your phone supports it. You can also activate Show icon in the application list From Settings > Digital Wellbeing to always have it at hand.
Third-party launchers and apps: advantages and privacy
If your device doesn't include native tools, there are alternatives such as Microsoft Launcher o Action Launcher, and apps like StayFree o digitoxThey offer usage and limit panels, but require extensive permits to monitor activity, as the Opera Max updatesharing data with third parties. When possible, prioritize native solutions for privacy and reliability.
Another way: Check the Play Store to see the "Last Use"
La Google Play Store can show the apps ordered by last use on some devices/versions. To check, go to Play Store > App and Device Management (or “My apps and games”) and, in InstalledUse the filter/sort to last useThis view helps to detect apps you no longer usePlease note that menu availability and names may vary depending on the version and region.
Practical tips for reducing interruptions
If you're looking to use your mobile phone less, start by limit notifications Not very useful. Every notification breaks concentration and increases screen time. Configure Do not bother In critical periods, use No distractions mode to block tempting apps, and rely on timers Digital Wellbeing to maintain sustainable habits.
Which apps to uninstall and how to link usage and battery life
Combine the usage statistics with the battery section of the system to decide what to keep. An app that appears at the top of both lists probably consumes time and resourcesUninstalling or limiting its use may improve performance, autonomy and your digital well-being.
iPhone: Screen time on iOS
If you use an iPhone, log in Settings > Usage time. There you will see the half time weekly, the daily hours, most used apps, touches/unlocks and notificationsYou can also set app limits and activate modes of concentration to reduce interruptions.
Configure and personalize Digital Wellbeing
To make Digital Wellbeing appear as an app in the app drawer, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls tab and activate Show icon. In Manage your data You can adjust what information is collected and how it is displayed. Remember that you can add the widget screen time from the home screen.
For developers: full statistics on Play Console
If you develop apps, the Play Console It offers detailed reports to help you understand your application's performance. The main sections include:
- Control Panel: summary with key metricstrends and access to detailed reports.
- Statistics: customizable reports with metrics and dimensions, comparisons with similar apps and analysis of cambios.
- Play Store analysis and conversions: How users discover and convert from your profile.
- Android essentials: failures, ANR and performance metrics.
- Financial reports: revenue, buyers, and trends.
- Opinion analysis: Summary of reviews and ratings.
En Global Data You can configure reports by choosing:
- Period and option of compare periods.
- Metric and calculation (per 30-day interval or average) and frequency (by the hour, daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly depending on availability).
- Second metric to compare on the same graph.
- Dimensions to view data by android version, device, country/region, language, operator, channel (includes instant apps), form factor y app version.
Extra features:
- Quick reports: It saves frequently used settings.
- CSV Export: Download raw data or variations.
- Compare with similar apps: relative performance by metric, filtered by country.
- Timeline of events: Visualize how launches, price changes, or promotions affect your metrics.
Key metrics you can check:
- Facilities and user base: users and devices with the app, acquisitions, losses, nuevos y recurring, download events y uninstall, updates, first access, UAD, UAM, 7-day retention, acquisitions from record, visitors to the record, loss rate y monthly recurring rate.
- Ratings: Average Rating, number of ratings, cumulative average y rating on Google Play.
- Income: ingresos y totals, Buyers (new and cumulative), average revenue per daily/monthly active user, purchases per active user and by buyer, buyer rates y average purchase value.
- Technical quality: failures y ANR with details of tracking and deobfuscation.
- Instant apps: starts by device, startup events y conversions to the full app.
- Previous registration: pre-registered users y conversions after launch.
Keep in mind that, over time, some metrics or methods of calculation may upgrade or retireYou can always keep your reports saved and adapt your dashboards when there are changes.
The combination of hidden code To see quick statistics, the panel of Digital Wellbeing to monitor habits and limits, and the Advanced Options From manufacturers or from Play Console for developers, it gives you a complete overview to make decisions: which apps consume the most time, which ones to uninstall or limit, and how to reduce distractions to enjoy a healthier mobile experience.
