In today’s digital age, our lives revolve around screens. From smartphones to laptops, and even smartwatches, we spend most of our day staring at screens. While technology has brought great convenience to our lives, excessive use has its downsides. It can disrupt our sleep patterns, weaken eyesight, and cause anxiety and depression among other issues. Therefore, it is essential to limit screen time to avoid these negative consequences. Thankfully, Apple, one of the most popular smartphone providers, has several built-in features that can help you stay in control of your screen time. Let’s dive in and explore some of the best iOS features for limiting screen time.
Detailed Discussion on Best iOS Features for Limiting Screen Time
Screen Time
iOS 12 introduced the Screen Time feature, which allows you to monitor and restrict your device usage. To access Screen Time, navigate to Settings > Screen Time. Here, you can check your daily or weekly average screen time, view app usage time, set app limits, and schedule downtime.
App limits enable you to limit the amount of time you spend on certain apps. For instance, if you wish to spend only 30 minutes on social media apps each day, you can set up a limit on screen time. Once you reach the limit, the app icon will become gray, and you will receive a notification that your limit is up. This feature is a great way to avoid getting sucked into the time-consuming social media world.
Another useful feature is downtime, which allows you to schedule time for specific phone capabilities to be limited. During the downtime period, all apps will be blocked, except for phone calls and emergency calls. It is an excellent feature to ensure your screentime doesn’t impact your sleep.
App Limits
iOS has an inbuilt feature that places time limits on applications. App Limits enable you to limit the time you spend on certain apps with a timer that resets every day. Limiting the time spent on apps such as social media, messaging, and gaming can help you improve productivity and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Bedtime Mode
The bedtime mode feature is located within the Clock app. It replaces your lock screen with a darker and simpler version of your homescreen. During bedtime mode, calls are sent straight to voicemail, text messages will not light up your screen, and notifications will be hidden until you leave bedtime-mode. You can set up Bedtime Mode and customize the Don’t Disturb settings that allow specific people to call you in case of an emergency.
Concluding Thoughts on Best iOS Features for Limiting Screen Time
These iOS features can help you be in control of the time you spend on your device. They can make a difference in how you use your device, which can contribute to an overall improvement in wellbeing.
It is important to educate yourself on how much screen time is appropriate for your age and profession and implement those limits using iOS features such as Screen Time, App Limits, and Bedtime Mode. These wiil ensure that despite using your device, you still maintain a healthy work-life balance.
FAQs About Best iOS Features for Limiting Screen Time
Can you completely block apps on iOS?
Yes, you can. iOS’s inbuilt feature Screen Time can help you block apps completely or set a time limit on them.
What happens when you exceed the app limit?
When you exceed the time limit set with App Limits, the app becomes temporarily blocked. You can request additional usage time from the app.
Can I set different limits for each day of the week?
Yes, you can create unique app limits and downtime schedules for each day of the week.
Does App Limits apply to app notifications?
No, App Limits does not apply to push notifications. It only stops the app from opening when you attempt to access it.
How do I turn off Screen Time?
You can turn off Screen Time by navigating to Settings > Screen Time, scrolling to the bottom, and selecting Turn Off Screen Time.
In summary, excessive screen time can negatively impact productivity, health, sleep, and wellbeing. It is essential to limit screen time and have control over the time spent on smartphones. iOS devices have several built-in features such as Screen Time, App limits, and Bedtime Mode that enable you to monitor and restrict your device usage. Implementing these features and following recommended guidelines will ensure good health, balanced life, and fewer distractions when using your device.
