Why it is important to monitor the time of smartphone use
Xiaomi's smartphones are now an integral part of our lives: work, communication, entertainment, all concentrated in one device. But how much time do you actually spend behind the screen? Research shows that the average user spends 3-5 And if you've ever caught yourself thinking, "Where did you go all day?" it's time to figure out the numbers.
In this article, youโll find 5 proven ways to check Xiaomi usage statistics โ from built-in tools MIUI We'll figure out how to look at app-specific data, set limits, even export reports, and why your Redmi Note 12 might be inflated compared to your own. POCO X5 โ There's nuances here!
โ ๏ธ Note: If you use a smartphone at work or share it with family members, statistics will be collected under the current user profile.
Method 1: Built-in statistics MIUI (Digital Wellbeing by Xiaomi)
The easiest method is to use the built-in tool โDigital Well-Beingโ, which is in all Xiaomi smartphones based on the Internet. MIUI 10 and later: This feature shows not only total usage time, but also application distribution, number of unlocks, and even comparative day-to-day week dynamics.
To find the statistics:
- Open the settings (cog icon).
- Scroll down and select Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls.
- Slip on the Toolbar (or Dashboard in older versions).
- Here you will see pie charts with the distribution of time by category: social networks, games, productivity, etc.
๐น What can be done in this section:
- ๐ See weekly statistics - swipe left/right to switch days.
- โฐ Set limits on apps (e.g. 1 hour per day for TikTok).
- ๐ Set up break reminders (every 30 minutes of use).
- ๐๏ธ Enable Focus Mode โ Blocks Distracting Notifications.
โ ๏ธ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T s MIUI 14) the statistics may be reset once the system is updated. To avoid this, export the reports manually: click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the dashboard and select Data Export.
Tap any application in statistics to see a detailed report|Check the โFrequency of Useโ section โ it shows how many times you have opened the app|Compare work and weekend data โ often the difference is 30-50%|Set up "Sleep Time" to automatically switch to black and white in the evening-->
Method 2: Google Digital Wellbeing (for phones with Google services)
If your Xiaomi is running on pure Android (for example, the Android version, POCO F5 You have a global firmware, or you have Google services, you can use an alternative tool called Google Digital Wellbeing, which gives you more detailed statistics, including:
- ๐ฑ Time of active screen use (without background processes).
- ๐ Hours of activity schedules (peak periods usually fall on 20:00-23:00).
- ๐ Number of notifications received and reactions to them.
How to open it:
- Start Settings โ Google โ Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls
- Click on the Control Panel (or Dashboard).
- Select Show data for detail by application.
๐ Comparison MIUI vs Google Digital Wellbeing:
| Parameter | MIUI Digital Wellbeing | Google Digital Wellbeing |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy of data | Maybe overstate 10-15% background-process | More accurate account of active time |
| Export of reports | Only manually (PDF) | Automatic synchronization with Google Drive |
| Limits by annex | Yes, but they are reset after rebooting. | They are still there even after updates. |
| Focus mode | Yes, but without flexible exceptions. | You can set up separate rules for working hours |
๐ก
If the statistics are MIUI Google Digital Wellbeing is very different, check your time sync settings in Settings โ Additionally. โ Date and time: Automatic time zone detection sometimes confuses the record.
Method 3: Third-party applications for deep analysis
Built-in tools provide basic information, but if you need advanced analytics - like comparing with other users or integrating with habits trackers - it's worth paying attention to third-party apps.-3 solution:
๐ 1. ActionDash (free of charge) + premium)
- ๐ Shows history of use over the past 6 months.
- ๐ Details time by content categories (video, text, games).
- ๐ฑ It even works on MIUI rootless.
๐ 2. StayFree (free of charge)
- ๐ฏ Compare your activity to the national average.
- ๐ ๏ธ Allows you to set weekly goals to reduce screen time.
- ๐ค Exporting data to CSV for analysis in Excel.
๐ 3. QualityTime (premium)
- ๐จโ๐ผ Ideal for working smartphones โ divides statistics into โpersonalโ and โworkingโ time.
- ๐ต Blocks distracting apps on schedule.
- ๐ Synced between devices (e.g. Xiaomi and tablet).
โ ๏ธ Note: Time tracking applications require permission โ Using apps, without that, they can't collect data, to give you permission:
Settings โ Applications โ Application Management โ Three Dots (โฎ) โ Special Access โ Application UseBuilt-in Digital Wellbeing|Google Digital Wellbeing|ActionDash|StayFree|QualityTime|Nothing.|Other-->
Method 4: Hidden functions MIUI (power-user)
If you like to dig deeper, you can MIUI There are hidden tools that few people know about, like looking at the full log history of the system, or even exporting raw data for self-analysis.
๐ง Method 1: Logs of use (requires) ADB)
Through ADB You can upload detailed logs, including the opening time of each application:
- Turn on USB Debugging in Settings โ About Phone โ MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Additional โ For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell dumpsys usagestats
- Save the result in a file. usage_stats.txt and process it through Excel or Google Sheets.
๐ง Method 2: Secret Menu of Engineering Mode
On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50) There's a hidden menu with advanced statistics:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the combination: ##4636###.
- Select Usage Statistics (this item may be called Usage Statistics).
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
๐ Method 3: Exporting through Mi Cloud
If you sync data with Mi Account, you can upload the archive with statistics:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Select Devices โ Your smartphone โ Backup copies.
- Download the last backup and find the file in it usage_stats.db (Opened via SQLite Browser).
Method 5: Manual timekeeping (for maximum accuracy)
Automatic trackers arenโt perfect: they may not multitask (like when youโre listening to music on Spotify and writing to Telegram at the same time) or overstate the performance due to background processes. If you want 100% accuracy, try manually keeping track of your data.
๐ How to do this:
- ๐ฑ Use the timer widget on the home screen (apps like Toggl Track or Clockify).
- โฑ๏ธ Start the countdown every time you pick up your phone (yes, itโs uncomfortable, but itโs effective).
- ๐ At the end of the day, transfer the data to the table (the template can be downloaded here).
๐ก Benefits of manual accounting:
- โ Accuracy up to a minute (without errors of automated trackers).
- โ Mindfulness: You start to control time, not just watch the numbers.
- โ Flexibility: Context can be considered (e.g., 10 minutes on Instagram โ work goals").
๐ก
Manual accounting is not suitable for everyone, but even 2-3 The day of such an experiment will help to identify โtime eatersโ โ applications that you use on autopilot.
Frequent Problems and How to Solve Them
Sometimes the time statistics are not working correctly, and here are the typical situations and ways to fix them:
๐ง Problem 1: Data not updated
- ๐ Reboot the phone โ it will reset the cache of the system.
- โ๏ธ Check if time synchronization is included in Settings โ Additionally. โ Date and time โ Autodetermination.
- ๐ฑ Update. MIUI up to the latest version (in old firmware there are bugs with tracking).
๐ง Problem 2: Statistics show 0 hours, even though the phone was used
- ๐ง It's possible that data collection is off. โ Digital well-being โ Three points (โฎ) โ Settings โ Enable data collection
- ๐ต If you use a second space (Dual Apps), the statistics are collected separately for each profile.
๐ง Problem 3: Time in MIUI Google Digital Wellbeing is not the same.
- ๐ It's okay: MIUI It takes into account all processes, including background, and Google only active interaction.
- ๐ To see the difference, compare the data for a particular app (e.g. YouTube can show 1 hour per app). MIUI 40 minutes in Google Wellbeing).
๐ก
After the update MIUI The statistics are reset, try to restore it from the backup of the Mi Cloud. To do this, link the same Mi Account that was used before the update.
How to reduce the time of using the phone: practical tips
Knowing the numbers is just the first step. The first step is action. Here's what really works:
๐ต 1. Set up "Time without distractions"
- V MIUI: Settings โ Notifications โ Time without distractions.
- Select a period (e.g. 22:00-7:00) and add exceptions for important contacts.
๐ฏ 2.Use black and white mode
- The gray screen reduces the attractiveness of social networks.
- How to turn on: Settings โ Screen. โ Colors and contrast โ Grey shade regime
โณ 3. Set limits on time eaters"
- In Digital Wellbeing, select an app (e.g. Instagram) โ App timer โ Set a limit (for example, 30 minutes a day).
- When time runs out, the app icon will turn grey, and when you open it, a reminder will appear.
๐ฑ 4. Remove distracting apps from the home screen
- Move TikTok, games and social networks to the folder on the second screen.
- Replace them with useful services widgets (calendar, weather, pedometer).
๐ง 5.Practise "digital detox"
- Start with 1 hour a day without a phone (e.g. during lunch).
- Use a physical alarm clock to avoid picking up your phone before bedtime.
๐ก
Research shows that even a 20-minute reduction in screen time per day improves sleep and concentration. Start with small goals - for example, not using your phone in the first 30 minutes after waking up.