How to see how much time spent in the application on Xiaomi: all the ways

Monitoring time spent in mobile apps has become an important part of digital hygiene. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO MIUI-based smartphones offer several built-in tools to monitor activity, from basic statistics to detailed reports.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to check app usage times, including hidden Digital Well-Being features, Google analytics, and even methods for rootless devices. We’ll focus on the nuances of different MIUI versions (12 to 14) and HyperOS models, where the interface may differ. If you want to not only look at statistics, but also limit time on social networks or games, here’s a solution.

Important: some methods require pre-setting, such as the MIUI Time of Use feature is disabled by default, you have to activate it manually, and Google data may not match the system data due to different counting algorithms, and we'll explain why and which source to trust.

1. MIUI Built-in statistics: "Time of use"

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Time of Use tool (or Digital Wellbeing in global firmware) and it is available on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and up, including models with HyperOS.

Open Settings → Time to Use. If the item is not in the main menu, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner) and enter the "Time to Use" request.

In the first section, you'll see the general statistics for the day: how much time you spent on your phone, how many unlocks you've had, and how you categorize (social media, games, media, etc.) and below you'll see a detailed report on apps -- tap on any one to see the activity graph by the hour.

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Note: If you've never turned this feature on, the system will suggest setting it up when you first log in. Without activation, data will not be collected!

To obtain the most accurate data:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI The last version is in the old firmware (up to the last version). MIUI (12) statistics may have been collected incorrectly.
• ⏳ Wait 24 hours after activation of the function – the data will only appear the next day.
• 📊 Enable data collection for all users (if there are multiple profiles on the phone).

Google Digital Wellbeing: An Alternative Data Source

If the built-in MIUI statistics seem incomplete, try Google Digital Wellbeing.It works on all smartphones with Google Mobile Services (including Xiaomi for the global market) and often provides more detailed analytics.

To open it up:

1. Go to Settings → Google → Services on your device → Digital Wellbeing.
2. Slip the pie chart at the top of the screen to see the time distribution across apps.
3. For a detailed report, select "View details" below the schedule.

Advantages of this method:

• 📱 Cross-platform: Data syncs with other devices on your Google account.
• 📈 Flexible reports: you can see the statistics for a week or a month MIUI usually only daily data).
• 🛠️ Limitation tools: here you can set timers for applications.

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Note: Some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (not available) GMS) This service may not be available, and Google data and MIUI may diverge 10-30 minutes due to different activity counting algorithms.

If you don’t see Digital Wellbeing in the settings, check:

• 🔍 Is the application com.google.android.apps.wellbeing installed (can be found through Settings) → Annexes → Application management).
• 🌍 Do you use global firmware (in Chinese versions) MIUI without GMS This service is unavailable).

3. Hidden analytics in "Security" (for MIUI 12-14)

Few people know, but the Security app hides another source of statistics, and it works even if the main Time of Use is disabled or reset.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (if it isn’t on your desktop, search through search).
2. Go to Optimization or Acceleration (name depends on MIUI version).
3. Slip on the item "Time of use" or "Applications activity".
4. Here you will see a list of applications with an indication of the activity time and the number of launches.

Differences from standard statistics:

• ⏱️ Data updated in real time (no delay of 24 hours).
• 📊 Shows background activity of apps (for example, how long Facebook has been running in backgrounds).
• 🔧 Allows you to immediately clear the cache or block the application.

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Attention: POCO lightweight (POCO Launcher) this section may not be available. Also, after resetting the story in "Security" is cleared.

4.Using ADB for Advanced Users

If you need raw time data (for example, for analysis or backup), you can extract it through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a connection to a computer, but gives you the most complete information.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (you can download from Google for Android) SDK).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Data extraction commands:

adb shell dumpsys usage

This team will produce a full report of the time of use for the last 7 days, including:

The activity time of each application (mPackageName)

Number of launches (mLaunchCount)

Time of last use (mlasttimeused)

To save data in a file:

adb shell dumpsys usage > usage_stats.txt

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Attention: MIUI 14 If the command returns the error "Permission denied", try to issue permission first: adb shell pm grant com.android.settings android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS

Advantages of the method:

• 📄 Receiving raw data without interface constraints.
• 🔍 Ability to analyze system processes (for example, how much time com.miui.home spends on re-drawing the launcher).
• 💾 Exporting data for long-term storage.

Install ADB-driver on PC| Enable debugging over USB on Xiaomi| Connect the phone with the original cable | Check the connection with the adb device-->

5. Third-party monitoring applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, you can use third-party tools that offer advanced analytics, cross-platform synchronization, and additional features like app locking or family control.

Top.-3 apps:

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Note: On MIUI 14 and HyperOS, some applications (such as ActionDash) may require additional permissions. After installation, go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Access → Use Time and enable access for a third-party utility.

How to choose the best app:

• 📊 If you need visual analysis – ActionDash.
• ⏰ If timers and constraints are important – built-in Digital Wellbeing.
• 🆓 If you want a free solution without unnecessary features – StayFree.

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Before installing third-party monitoring apps, check their permissions in Settings → Applications. Some utilities request access to geolocation or contacts, which is not required to collect time statistics.

6. How to Reset or Hide Use Statistics

Sometimes users want to reset their counters or hide their app time data, which may be needed before selling a phone, to test new habits, or for other reasons, and consider legitimate ways (no root rights).

Methods of resetting statistics:

• 🔄 Through settings MIUI: Open the Settings. → Time of use, tap the icon. ⚙️ (settings) in the upper right corner. Select "Reset data".

Through "Security."

1. Go to Security → Optimization → Use Time.
2. Click "Clear Data" at the bottom of the screen.
3. 🔧 Through ADB (for full reset: adb shell pm clear com.miui.usage

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Note: Resetting statistics through ADB can lead to errors in the system utilities (for example, the battery optimizer will stop working).

How to hide data from outsiders:

• 🔒 "Time of use": in the settings of the function can be installed PIN-code.
• 👤 Create a guest profile: in Settings → System system → Multiple users add a guest account without access to your statistics.
• 📵 Turn off notifications: Go to Settings → Notifications → Time of use and deactivate alerts.

Also check Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode – some applications may be excluded from optimization.