Our digital devices are one of the most unavoidable parts of our personal and professional life we couldn’t live without them. These devices connect us with our family, friends, and people worldwide.

According to a survey in 2021 in the US found that people using Smartphones check their phones after every four minutes. This ratio immediately increased after a survey in 2019 that says that people check their smartphones after every ten minutes. Many of us usually spend most of our time on mobile phones.

Does screen time count apps running in background? Apps running in the background do not count toward screen time. It only monitors the present screen that you are actively using. It might be that some of the apps are being updated in the background or some might remain unclosed but they are not counted in screen time.

But the question are we spending our time learning, working, and being entertained, or just wasting our time on social media? 

Screen time will help you stay aware of your time and will let you know how much time you spent on the phone.

Does screen time count apps running in background on smartphones

It is a feature in all smartphones whether android or iPhone. It will monitor the time you spend using your device. Screen time helps you manage your time and schedule your time on your device. It will limit your time on the apps distracting you. 

It is not a separate app, it is a feature already present in your smartphone. You can just go to the settings and activate it on your phone. Go to settings, tap on the screen time and turn it on. Choose if this device is yours or your child’s. This feature can also Manage the time your whole family spends on their devices.

Once you have activated your screen time you will be aware of how much time you spend on your device.

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How Does Screen Time Work?

If you’ve activated screen time on your phone it will have constant access to your phone and apps. It will show a graph of your screen time report. The time you’ve spent using your device.  

It’s widespread for users who use screen time for the first time to get frightened after knowing their time is wasted on screening instead of some productive work or better spending time with family or friends.

It is very useful in organizing and managing your time. It will limit your time on the apps which will help you to use your time productively. If you want to have its benefits, use it wisely. It will really help you.

You can set your personal limits in screen time for example Downtime, App limits, and communication limits.

Downtime

Downtime is the feature of screen time that allows you to schedule your time in your own way. If you want to spend your time with your family or friends you will just receive calls, messages, and notifications from the specific apps you allow. Otherwise, you will not be disturbed by any other app.

App Limits

App limits are also a great feature of screen time; they will help you limit your time on apps of certain categories. For example social media, games, entertainment, travel, shopping, etc. You also have the option to choose the apps that you want to be available all the time.

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Communication Limits

Communication limits are a feature of screen time that allows the user to stay in contact with the people they want to during a certain time. Your contacts will only be able to contact you if you allow them.

What Does Your Screen Time Report Look Like?

When you open screen time and click on “See All Activity”, your whole screen time report will appear which tells you how you use your device.

A bar graph will be shown to give you your weekly report. It will tell you how you use your mobile phone. Which apps do you use the most.

Pickups and Notifications:

Screen time also gives you a review about how many times you picked up your phone during downtime, how many notifications appear, etc.

If you’re doing some important work and are getting bothered by the notifications appearing on your screen. You have an option of limiting notifications. From there you can limit the notifications of the app that sends you most of the notifications.

Conclusion

It is a feature in all smartphones whether android or iPhone. It will tell you how much time you spend on your device. It also helps you manage your time and schedule your time on your device. It will limit your time on the apps distracting you. If you’ve activated screen time on your phone it will have constant access to your phone and apps.  

Screen time doesn’t count the apps running in the background. It only monitors the present screen that you are actively using. It might be that some of the apps are being updated in the background or some might remain unclosed but they are not counted in screen time.

FAQs

What is the best way to check my phone’s screen time?

When you open screen time and click on “See All Activity”, your whole screen time report will appear which tells you how you use your device. A bar graph will be shown to give you your weekly report. It will tell you how you use your mobile phone. 

Which apps do you use the most to check screen time?

Digital wellbeing is the best app that can use for both Android and iOS users.

Does Screen Time include phone calls?

Yes! It does include the screen you are actively using. It doesn’t include it separately but will tell you how much time you spent on a phone call.

What does Apple Screen Time include?

It will include all the apps websites games whatever is actively running on your iPhone.