Android’s new screen time reminders help you break free from doomscrolling

Most apps are designed to keep you glued to your phone for as long as possible. It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of endless scrolling on Instagram, TikTok, or other social media apps, only to realize hours have slipped by.

Thankfully, Google is stepping in to help with a subtle but effective new feature called Screen Time Reminders, designed to give you a gentle nudge when you’ve been using an app for a while.

Quietly rolling out to many of the best Android phones as shared in a post by Mishaal Rahman on X (formerly Twitter), this tool is part of Google’s ongoing effort to promote healthier digital habits through its Digital Wellbeing suite.

The feature first surfaced under the codename “Mindful Nudge” during an APK teardown but has now become a practical tool for curbing excessive screen time.

If you’ve ever wondered just how long you’ve been doomscrolling, these reminders make it hard to ignore. After 15 or 25 minutes of app use, a small, pill-shaped notification appears at the top of the screen, showing you exactly how much time you’ve spent on that app.

You can tap the reminder to expand it, offering options to disable notifications for that app but they can't change the intervals at which notifications are sent.

Available under the Digital Wellbeing section in Settings, once enabled, it works across a range of apps and can be customized to suit your needs.

The feature is already rolling out to Google Pixel phones and models from brands like Nothing and OnePlus. Samsung users, however, will need to wait, as their devices rely on a separate suite of wellness tools.

Unlike traditional app limits, which lock you out after a set time, this feature doesn’t stop you from using an app but simply helps to you stay aware. Google calls these "gentle reminders," and they're fairly unobtrusive.

This latest addition builds on Google’s Digital Wellbeing efforts, which launched five years ago to help users form healthier tech habits. From tools like Unlock Clock, which tracks how often you unlock your phone, to PostBox, which batches notifications, Google’s creations have aimed to create balance without being restrictive. Screen Time Reminders continue this trend by encouraging awareness without enforcing limits, giving you control over your screen time.

In a world where apps are increasingly designed to compete for your attention, tools like Screen Time Reminders are a welcome change, giving users a chance to reclaim their time. The next time you find yourself endlessly scrolling, let this small but thoughtful nudge remind you that sometimes, the best moments happen away from the screen.