Smartphones like the Google Pixel 4A have become so fast and capable that we can integrate them into almost every facet of our lives.
Whether that involves entertainment, work, scheduling, or exercise, there’s probably an app or combination of apps that can help you get the job done.
But you might find that you (or one of your children) are spending too much time in an app, and you want to limit that usage each day.
You can set an app timer on the Pixel phone by going to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Screen time > select the app > App timer > set a time and hit OK.
Now when you use the app it will deduce the usage time from the daily timer, then the timer will pause the app when all of the allowed time has been depleted.
Our guide below will provide you with more information on using an app timer on your Android Pixel phone.
How to Set a Time Restriction for an App on a Google Pixel 4A
- Swipe up on the Home screen.
- Select Settings.
- Choose Apps & notifications.
- Expand Advanced.
- Tap Screen time.
- Select an app.
- Choose App timer.
- Set a time and tap OK.
Our guide continues below with more information on using app timers on the Google Pixel 4A, including pictures of these steps.
How to Limit App Usage on a Pixel 4A (Guide with Pictures)
The steps in this article were performed on a Google Pixel 4A in the Android 11 operating system.
Step 1: Swipe up on your Home screen to open the app menu.
Step 2: Choose the Settings option at the very bottom of the app list.
Step 3: Select the Apps & notifications option.
Step 4: Touch the Advanced option to expand its menu.
Step 5: Select Screen time.
Step 6: Choose the app for which you would like to set an app timer.
Step 7: Tap the App timer option.
Step 8: Select the amount of time to set for the timer, then tap OK.
Our tutorial continues below with additional discussion about using Android app timers to control app usage on your device.
More Information on Android 11 App Timers
You are able to set app timers for almost any app that you have on your Google Pixel smartphone in Android 11.
I personally find it best to use app timers for the sites where I waste the most time. This means places like Reddit, YouTube, social media, etc.
But app timers are also useful if you need to get some work done, but you can’t let it take your entire day. When you know that the clock is running you can budget your time better and use it more efficiently.
The app timer can be as short as 5 minutes, or as high as 23 hours and 55 minutes.
If you have a timer set for an app and decide that you want to delete it then you can choose the app from the Screen time menu, then tap the trash can icon next to the timer.
While most of the apps on the Screen time menu can only be set up with one overall timer, you have a little more control with Chrome.
Underneath Chrome you will see a button that lets you view the sites that you visit. you can then set an app timer for individual sites.
If the amount of time that you specified is either too long or too short and you need to change the app timer on your Pixel, then you can always go back to the screen where you set the timer, select it, then set a new time, and tap OK.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing technology how-to articles and tutorials for over a decade. He has extensive experience in information technology both in small business and as a consultant.
His articles have appeared on dozens of websites and been read millions of times.
He covers many different topics concerning technology, but focuses primarily on smartphones, consumer software, and consumer electronics.
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