How to Set App Restrictions on Android

Apps on Android

With so many apps available on your phone, it's easy to become distracted. The most effective way to reduce your screen time is to restrict your usage and remove these apps from your immediate environment. Furthermore, if you're a parent, you don't want your children to spend their days wasting time on apps or accessing sensitive ones such as banking or social media sites with graphic content.

Fortunately, you can alter your bad Smartphone habits with the assistance of third-party applications. Here's how to block apps on Android, if not completely disable their notifications. Whether you want to increase your productivity or protect yourself, others, or children from overusing apps, you can find the right tools to make your devices work in your favor and help you live a more healthy lifestyle.

How to Set App Restrictions on Android

There are a variety of situations in which you might want to restrict access to a specific app on your phone. In order to prevent their children from accidentally placing orders using saved credit card information, for example, parents may want to monitor their children's Internet activity.

Additionally, preventing yourself from accessing addictive apps such as Instagram can aid in the reduction of your Smartphone addiction. You can gradually wean yourself (or your child) off of your mental dependence on mobile games. You aren't even required to uninstall them from your phone completely to accomplish this. You can always take advantage of a cheat day and use your points whenever you want.

You have the option of restricting access to specific apps or setting a time period during which you will not be able to use your phone. With their assistance, you can begin learning about Android's built-in tools and how to prevent apps from accessing data on your device. Starting with your Network & Internet settings, you have the ability to set data warnings and limits.

Take a look at these other methods of controlling your app usage for greater flexibility and more useful tools.

ActionDash

It is possible to use a third-party alternative if your phone does not officially support Digital Wellbeing. ActionDash and its tools for restricting app access on Android devices are recommended readings for you.

In addition to the features found in Digital Wellbeing, ActionDash has additional features. A dark theme, app limits, and a slew of other customization options are available, as is comprehensive insight into your screen time. Instead of requiring a Smartphone running Android 5 Lollipop or later, ActionDash is compatible with any Smartphone running Android 5.

ActionDash is a free download, but it does include premium features such as app limits and downtime mode. Upgrades are available for an additional $7.

Digital Wellbeing 

Phones running stock Android have a built-in utility that records your daily device usage and tells you exactly what is taking up your time. This feature was introduced in Android 9 Pie. In the Settings menu, select Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls from the drop-down menu. It may be necessary to download the app from Google Play if you are unable to locate it.

When you use Digital Wellbeing, you can set app restrictions. A grayed-out icon will appear on your home screen when an app's time allowance for the day has expired, and you will no longer be able to access it. You won't be tempted to disable the limit after seeing an unread message or comment, because Android will also block the app's notifications, as well.

Launch Digital Wellbeing in order to set an app restriction. Select the app you'd like to restrict from accessing the dashboard by tapping it. Activate your daily allowance by selecting App Timer from the drop-down menu. Last but not least, click on the OK icon.

Google Family Link 

Features of Google Family Link, such as the ability to hide apps and the ability to set app limits, are similar to those of Digital Wellbeing. As a result, once a user has reached their daily limit, they will no longer be able to access that app until the following morning. The difference is that only the parent has the ability to control and adjust the restrictions in this situation.

AppBlock

In many ways, AppBlock is similar to Digital Wellbeing and ActionDash, with the added feature of allowing you to block websites and even specific keywords from appearing on your screen.

This feature allows you to keep track of which apps you are using and how much time you are spending on your Smartphone. Moreover, different profiles, each with its own set of restrictions, can be created and used. For example, one could be for work, another for your breaks, and a third for bedtime, among other things.

There's a lot to like about AppBlock when it comes to limiting access to apps on Android (and it's also available on iOS devices), including parental controls. The premium version further enhances the functionality of your existing toolsets.

Google Play Store Restriction

Finally, parents can use the parental controls available in the Google Play Store to restrict what their children can download. Content rating options for apps, games, movies, and music are available for you to choose between. To go along with this, the Play Store requests that you set up a PIN lock so that a child cannot simply change the restrictions from the settings menu.

Google Play Store > Profile Icon > Settings > Family is where you can find parental controls. Games and apps are rated by Google Play using the rating system that is appropriate for your location.