How to watch the time spent in the applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all ways

Ever wonder how long it takes to scrolle through a TikTok tape or messenger? There are a number of ways to track this statistic on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, from built-in tools to third-party apps, but not everyone knows where to look for this data and how to interpret it correctly.

In this article, we'll break down three working methods: through standard MIUI settings, Google's Digital Wellbeing service, and specialized tools like ActionDash or StayFree. Each method has its own nuances, from data accuracy to the impact on smartphone autonomy. And you'll learn how to reset statistics when they suddenly start to scare you with numbers, and why sometimes the data may not match reality.

Important: on the Redmi Note 8 (and other Xiaomi devices), statistics are collected only when the screen is actively used. If the application is running in the background (for example, a music player), this time may not be counted, and some system processes (such as com.miui.home) can steal minutes from other programs, which we will also talk about.

1. Built-in time monitoring in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on

The easiest way is to use the built-in Time of Use feature that MIUI has been using since version 10, which requires no additional apps to be installed and works out of the box, but it has limitations: data is only collected in the last 7 days, and the detail leaves much to be desired.

To find the statistics:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Applications section → Time of use.
3. Click on the Time of Use Report.

Here you'll see:

• 📊 Total time of use of the smartphone per day / week.
• 📱 Top of applications by time (with minutes).
• 🔄 Number of screen unlocks.
• 🛑 Ability to set limits on applications.

If the time partition is missing, the function is disabled to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Make sure you are logged in (without a Xiaomi account, some MIUI features are not available).
3. Go back to Settings → Applications and check for the availability of the Time of Use item.

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If the statistics are not updated, restart your smartphone or check if data collection is disabled in the privacy settings (Settings → Privacy → Special Permits → Usage Data).

Google’s Digital Wellbeing: More Detailed Analytics

If MIUI isn’t built-in enough, Google’s Digital Wellbeing service provides more detailed statistics on applications, including notifications and usage rates, but it will require you to install an app from Google Play (it has been removed from some MIUI firmware).

Instructions for setting:

1. Download Digital Wellbeing from Google Play.
2. Open the application and go through the initial setup (permission to access usage data may be required).
3. On the main screen, select the Control Panel tab.

The advantages of Digital Wellbeing over standard MIUI statistics are:

• 📅 History of 30 days (vs. 7 days in a day) MIUI).
• 🛡️ Ability to set timers for apps and sleep mode.
• 📊 Timetables of use by hours of day.
• 🔔 Notification statistics (how much came and how much you opened).

Note: Digital Wellbeing may conflict with built-in MIUI monitoring. If the data in both services differ, Digital Wellbeing’s numbers are prioritized, more precisely by integrating with Google’s services.

Third-party applications: when maximum detail is needed

If you want advanced reports, data export, or analytics by category (social media, games, work), you should look at third-party utilities, which offer features that neither MIUI nor Digital Wellbeing does: comparing with other users or integrating with a calendar.

Top.-3 Time monitoring applications on Redmi Note 8:

Before installing, check the permissions the application requests, such as ActionDash, which requires access to:

• 📱 Data on the use of applications (android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS).
• 🔔 Notifications (for activity analysis).
• 📅 Calendar (for integration with the schedule).

Enable permission to "Use Data" in Android | settings

Check the reviews of the application in Google Play|

Read the privacy policy |

Create a backup copy of the data (optional)-->

4.Why data may not match reality

It's not uncommon for users to notice that the total time they use apps is longer than the actual waking time, for example, statistics show 8 hours on a phone when you've only used it 4. What's the matter?

The main reasons for the discrepancies are:

• 🤖 Systemic processes: MIUI Considers the operating time of com.miui.home (launcher), android.systemui (notification panel) and other services as “active use».
• 🔄 Background activity: Some applications (e.g. messengers) may wake up to sync and be recorded as active.
• ⏱️ Rounding of time: MIUI Digital Wellbeing rounds seconds to minutes, which is added up to an error.
• 📱 Multi-window mode: if you use two apps at the same time (e.g. chat and browser), time can be duplicated.

To check which processes are stealing time:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Use Time → More details.
2. Scroll through the list to the System Applications section.
3. Pay attention to com.miui.home, android.systemui, and com.miui.securitycenter, which are often the top performers in statistics.

5. How to Reset Statistics or Turn Off Monitoring

If the numbers in the report scare you, or you want to start counting from scratch, you can reset the statistics, and MIUI and Digital Wellbeing do it differently.

For built-in MIUI monitoring:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Use time.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Choose Reset Data.

For Digital Wellbeing:

1. Open the Digital Wellbeing app.
2. Slip on the gear icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select Delete Usage Data.

If you do not need monitoring at all, you can turn it off:

• In MIUI: Settings → Applications → Time of Use → Disable Monitoring.
• In Digital Wellbeing: App settings → Disable data collection.

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The reset does not affect the operation of the applications, but it may be necessary to re-grant permissions for Digital Wellbeing or third-party trackers.

Hidden functions: data export and family control

Few people know, but both MIUI and Digital Wellbeing allow you to export usage time data in CSV or JSON format, which is useful if you’re a productivity diary or want to analyze habits in Excel.

Exports to Digital Wellbeing:

1. Open the application and go to the Control Panel.
2. Click on the cog icon → Export data.
3. Select the period (day/week/month) and file format.

Exports to MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Use time.
2. Press three points. → Export of data.
3. The file will be saved in the Download folder.

Another useful feature is family control, and if you want to limit the time a child uses a smartphone,

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Digital Wellbeing has a Family Connection option that allows you to remotely configure restrictions.
• 📱 V MIUI You need to create a guest profile (Settings) → Users and accounts → Add a user and set limits for him.

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The exported data can be uploaded to services like Toggl or RescueTime for more in-depth analysis.

7.Alternative methods: ADB and engineering menu

For advanced users who want to get raw data about app usage, there is a way through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but gives access to a full activity history.

Instructions for obtaining data through ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Enable USB debugging on Redmi Note 8 (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Press 7 times, then Additional Settings → For Developers → USB Debugging).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell dumpsys usagestats

In the output, you'll see JSON data with time stamps and packet names, and for convenience, you can redirect the output to the file:

adb shell dumpsys usagestats > usage_stats.txt

You can also use the MIUI engineering menu to check process activity, but this method is more complex and requires knowledge of commands, for example, the ##4636## command will open a testing menu where raw information can be seen in the Usage statistics section.

FAQ: Frequent questions about time in apps on Redmi Note 8

Now you know all the ways to track time in apps on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, from standard tools to advanced ADB techniques. If you notice that you spend more time on your phone than you planned, try setting limits or using apps to block distracting services. And if the statistics seem inaccurate, check system processes and background activity as described above.