Have you ever caught yourself spending more time on a Xiaomi smartphone than you planned? According to research, the average user spends about 3-4 hours a day on gadgets, but the real numbers are often 1.5-2 times higher. Fortunately, Xiaomi phones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) offer several ways to track these statistics, from built-in MIUI tools to Google Digital Wellbeing features.
In this article, you will find current methods for MIUI 14/15, including hidden settings that the manufacturer does not advertise. We will also discuss how to circumvent system limitations if standard tools do not show the full picture, and which third-party applications will help you get detailed analytics for each application installed.
1. Built-in screen time statistics in MIUI
Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has integrated a basic tool to monitor device usage times.It's not as advanced as Google's Digital Wellbeing, but gives a general idea of user habits.
- Open the settings (cog icon).
- Go to Screen Time (some firmware may call it Digital Well-Being).
- Slip on the Usage Statistics or the Usage Report.
Here you'll see:
- 📊 Total use time per day/week.
- 📱 Top applications by activity time.
- 🔔 Number of screen unlocks.
- 🌙 Sleep time (if the mode is set "Do not disturb").
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If the Screen Time section is missing, upgrade to MIUI 14+ or check regional settings. In Chinese versions of MIUI, this tool can be disabled.
Note: the built-in statistics are reset when the phone is hard rebooted (holding the power button + volume down). Also, the data may differ from the real one by 5-15%, since the system does not take into account the time spent in power saving mode or when the screen is turned off (for example, listening to music).
2.Google Digital Wellbeing: A Detailed Analysis
If you need more in-depth analytics, use Google’s Digital Wellbeing service, which is available on all Xiaomi with Google services pre-installed (except for the Chinese versions without GMS).
- Launch the Settings app.
- Choose Google. → Digital Well-Being and Parental Control.
- Click on the Control Panel at the top of the screen.
The advantages of Digital Wellbeing over built-in MIUI statistics are:
| Function | MIUI Screen time | Digital Wellbeing |
|---|---|---|
| Details by annex | ❌ Only tops.-5 | ✅ Full list with graphs |
| Activity notifications | ❌ No. | ✅ There are (customizable) |
| Use timers | ❌ No. | ✅ There's for every app |
| Focus mode | ❌ No. | ✅ Aye (with pauses) |
An important caveat: Digital Wellbeing may not show data from previous days if you run it for the first time, it takes 24-48 hours to collect statistics, and some applications (such as Xiaomi system services) can appear as Android System without detail.
3. Hidden MIUI settings: advanced statistics
Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden section with detailed activity statistics, including usage times in the background and the number of app launches.
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Tap the MIUI version 7 times in a row until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
- Return to the main Settings menu and open a new section for developers.
- Find the item Application Usage Statistics (can be called Monitoring app usage in English firmware).
Here you'll see:
- 🕒 Exact activity time of each application (including background work).
- 🔄 Number of launches per day/week/month.
- 📶 Use of mobile data by application.
- 🔋 Effect on battery (percentage).
What if the “Developers” section does not appear?
This data is more accurate because it is collected at the Android kernel level, but it can be redundant for the average user, for example, it displays system processes like com.miui.home or android.process.media.
Third-party monitoring applications
If built-in tools aren’t enough, consider third-party apps.They offer additional features such as:
- 📅 Monthly and weekly reports with comparative analytics.
- 🛡️ Blocking distracting apps on schedule.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family Control (for Parents).
- 🌍 Synchronization between devices (e.g. phone) + tablet).
Top.-3 applications for Xiaomi 2026 year:
| Annex | Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| ActionDash | Data visualization, focus timers, integration with Google Calendar | Paid premium version for advanced analytics |
| StayFree | Free, easy, dark theme support | Advertising in the free version |
| Digital Wellbeing (by Google) | Native integration with Android, no advertising | Limited customization |
Check app permissions before installing. Some tools (such as App Usage) require access to special features (in Settings → Apps → Special Access), which can pose a security risk. We recommend using only proven apps rated above 4.5 on Google Play.
Make sure the application is compatible with MIUI 14/15|
Check reviews for bugs with Xiaomi|
Turn off the built-in statistics MIUI, avoiding duplication of data|
Set up exceptions for critical applications (calls, SMS)-->
5. How to reset or reset statistics
If you want to start tracking from scratch or hide it from outsiders, you can reset the statistics.
For the built-in MIUI statistics:
- Go to Settings. → Screen time.
- Slap the icon. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
- Choose Reset Data.
For Digital Wellbeing:
- Open the Settings. → Google → Digital well-being.
- Click on the icon. ⚙️ (gear).
- Select Delete Use Data.
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Resetting the statistics does not affect the operation of the applications, but can disrupt the settings of the timers in Digital Wellbeing.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) resetting statistics may require a phone reboot. Also note that the data about the use of applications are stored locally and are not synchronized with the Mi or Google account – when reset to factory settings, they will be lost irrevocably.
6 Data analysis: How to reduce usage time
Just knowing the statistics is not enough – it’s important to use this data to optimize your habits. Here are some practical tips based on Xiaomi user analysis:
1. Set up activity notifications
- In Digital Wellbeing, enable the option “Show time notifications” (in the application settings).
- Set a limit on the most voracious apps (for example, TikTok, Instagram).
2.Use focus mode
- In Settings → Screen Time → Focus Mode add distracting apps to the blacklist.
- Activate the mode during work or sleep (for example, from 22:00 to 7:00).
3. Optimize the main screen
- Remove social media and gaming icons from the first screen – this reduces the temptation to open them.
- Use minimalist wallpaper (e.g., a black screen with one time widget).
⚠️ Note: If you notice that you spend more than 6 hours a day on your phone, this may indicate a digital addiction:
- Install the Forest application for gamification of the unlearning of the gadget.
- Enable Reading Mode (in Settings → Screen) to reduce eye strain.
- Replace some digital time with physical activity (e.g. 30 minutes of walking = 30 minutes less on your phone).
7. Frequent problems and solutions
Xiaomi users often face the following difficulties when trying to see usage times:
Problem 1: The "Screen Time" section is not in the settings.
Decision:
- Update your firmware to MIUI 14 or later.
- Check if the section is hidden through Settings → Further → Hidden menus.
- Install Google Digital Wellbeing from the Play Market manually.
Problem 2: Statistics are not updated or show incorrect data.
Decision:
- Reboot the phone (soft reset).
- Clear the Settings app cache in Settings → Apps → Application Management.
- Turn off battery optimization for Google services (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).
Problem 3: You cannot install a third-party tracker due to a device incompatible error.
Decision:
- Download. APK-file from the official developer website (for example, ActionDash).
- Enable installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
- Check if the installation of Mi Protect (Xiaomi antivirus) is blocked.
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If the statistics are reset after the MIUI update, try to restore data through a backup to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This requires a Mi Account with sync enabled.