In this guide, we share a list of the best digital health alternatives for Android and why you should use one. Both Google and Apple are looking for ways to help users manage “screen time” and excessive phone use. Mainly because all most people do these days is stare at a smartphone screen.
Actually, recent studies suggest that the average person checks their phone 80 to 150 times a day. Google’s Digital Wellbeing is a utility tool set this tells you which apps you spend a lot of time on, but most Android phones can’t use it.
If you can’t use Google’s Digital Balance but want to keep an eye on your phone usage, apps that are draining your productivity, or just want to be mentally healthier and be aware of the world around you, these apps will help you do just that.
Do you spend a lot of time playing Pokemon GO, browsing Instagram, or falling into the rabbit-holes for information or videos on Reddit and YouTube? If so, you are not alone.
The idea behind Google’s Digital Wellbeing and Apple’s Screen Time Dashboard is not to make people use their phones less. It makes your interaction with your device more meaningful and efficient. This will help you understand which apps you are a victim of when it comes to overuse. Essentially, they want to help us get things done easier and faster, turn off our screens, and get back to enjoying real life, not just our digital life.
Both Google and Apple services offer a “dashboard” with a breakdown of our device usage. This gives you a good idea of which apps are consuming your day. You can set timers and limits to close an app you’ve been using for too long, manage notifications so you don’t have a reason to look at your phone all the time, and more.
We really like Google’s “Downgrade” mode, which gradually turns your entire screen to black and white (grayscale) as you get closer to your limit. That way all those beautiful photos on Instagram don’t look that good and you put your phone aside.
So if you want to take back control of your day, be more productive, or try using apps and playing less games, try the tools in our slideshow below.
