As part of improving people’s digital lives, Google introduced Digital Wellbeing on Android OS. The aim is to allow users to reduce their digital lives and focus on other aspects of life. Samsung took Google’s initiative to the next level with a built-in Focus mode, a custom widget, and overall more functionality than Google’s simple app. Read on to learn how to use Digital Wellbeing on Samsung Galaxy devices.
Where is the Digital Balance in Samsung Galaxy Devices?
There are several ways to access Digital Wellbeing on Galaxy devices. First, you can open the Settings app on the phone and scroll down to Digital Balance and parental controls.
Alternatively, you can bring the notification panel down and easily access it from anywhere in the UI by adding Focus Mode as a shortcut toggle.
Adjust Digital Balance
By default, Digital Wellbeing only shows screen time for a specific app. You need to add more time limits for your favorite app than ever before. Follow the steps below.
Stage 1: Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy device.
Step 2: Proceed to the Digital Balance menu.
Stage 3: Scroll down to Your goals.
Step 4: You have two options to choose from – Screen Time and App Timers.
Step 5: Tap on Screen Time and add a screen time goal for today or next week.
You can take a look at today’s screen time goal and remaining time for the day. Now, let’s add Application times for a specific application.
Stage 1: Select Implementation Times from the Your Goals menu.
Step 2: You can check the current screen time usage by each app.
Stage 3: Tap on the little timer icon next to the app and you can set the time limit of the day.
As you can see from the screenshots, we’ve set a timer for Netflix and YouTube, two of the best time-wasting apps that can make you unproductive during work hours.
Customize Digital Balance
You will see a small heart icon next to the apps you have set in the Digital Wellbeing menu. As soon as you reach the app’s time limit, you will see a grayscale icon suggesting to stop app usage for that day.
Tap the app and the system will remind you of the app timer you set in the Settings app. If you still want to use the app, select Change timer and increase the time limit for the specific app.
Use Focus Mode
Focus mode is another useful part of Samsung’s Digital Balance plan. Focus mode lets you focus without distractions. It is an enhanced version of Do Not Disturb mode on Galaxy device.
Focus mode helps you avoid distractions from your phone and keep your life in focus. All apps will be blocked in Focus mode except the apps you choose to allow.
Focus mode not only mutes notifications and calls on the phone, but also limits app usage to selected apps only. Here’s how to set it up and use the Focus mode.
Go to Focus Mode in the Digital Balance menu and you will see two options – Work time and Me time.
Choose any mode or you can add a custom Focus mode to go along. Select the app you want to allow in focus mode. You can also create multiple Focus modes.
To quickly enable Focus mode on Galaxy device, swipe down to reveal the notification center and use the Focus mode toggle to enable the function.
Use Bedtime Mode
We always use Bedtime Mode. It is part of Samsung’s Digital Balance program. Enabling Bedtime mode disables all alerts and calls on the phone. In Bedtime mode, the screen changes to grayscale during the night to reduce the strain on the eyes.
Open the Settings app and go to Digital Balance > Bedtime and enable the function for weekdays.
Use the Digital Balance Widget
Samsung offers a digital health widget to browse relevant information directly from the home screen. The good news is that you can also enable and use Digital Balance widgets from the lock screen. Follow the steps below.
Stage 1: Open the Settings app on your Galaxy device.
Step 2: Proceed to the lock screen.
Stage 3: Select Widgets from the menu below.
Step 4: Activate the Digital Balance widget.
Lock your phone and turn on the phone. Double-tap the clock to access all lock screen widgets, including Digital Balance.
Live a Healthy Digital Life
We should not be dependent on our phones or any special app on the phone. An unhealthy addiction to social media apps and games can turn you into a digital slave. Samsung’s Digital Balance is a nice addition to solve the problem using screen time, Focus mode and Bedtime mode. How do you plan to use Digital Balance on your Samsung Galaxy phone? Mute the sound in the comments section below.
Next: Samsung One UI is packed with tips and tricks. Read the post below to learn about the fifteen best One UI 3 tips and tricks to use like a pro.
