The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Your iPhone: Unleashing Your Potential by Managing Social Media and App Usage

Do the activities you engage in throughout the day using your iPhone contribute to your happiness? Or do they have a detrimental impact on your ability to concentrate and your overall mood, or simply squander your precious time? Let's explore this together.

Why Limit App Use on Your iPhone?

Think about how you utilize your iPhone. What prompts you to reach for it? Do you believe the majority of the time you spend on your phone each day is valuable? There is no definitive answer, and there is no universally applicable advice to offer. We have no intention of embarking on a tirade claiming that phones are inherently bad, in case you were wondering.

Social media apps often receive criticism for their design, which aims to keep users constantly engaged by presenting them with a never-ending feed of captivating content. One could argue that the more you scroll, the more advertisements you see, and therefore, the more profit can be generated. These feeds prioritize content that is highly engaging, including content that intentionally provokes negative reactions.

Endlessly scrolling on social media is a poor use of your time. This formula capitalizes on your fear of missing out and your desire to be involved in the ongoing conversations. Simultaneously, much of the content found on social media platforms can be deemed toxic. You might find yourself scrolling for 20 minutes only to feel more angry and dissatisfied than when you started. It is highly likely that you will repeat this behavior multiple times throughout the day.

The good news is that you may only require a gentle nudge to develop healthier habits. It's easy to lose track of time while scrolling and a small reminder could be the solution. This simple reminder can help you snap out of it and focus on the task at hand.

Additionally, it's important to note that not all of your wasted time needs to be devoted to tedious tasks. While video games can be distracting, they can also be enjoyable. Playing the guitar or piano may not be inherently productive, but it can bring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Similarly, going for a walk may not contribute to financial responsibilities, but it promotes both mental and physical well-being.

Use Screen Time to Identify Which Apps to Limit

Chances are, you already have a fairly good notion of the apps that need to be restrained. Nevertheless, having access to specific statistics might motivate you to initiate the process. If you've activated Screen Time on your iPhone, your device compiles data on your usage patterns, revealing the amount of time you devote to your devices and the activities that consume the majority of your time.

If you haven’t already enabled Screen Time, you’ll need to wait for your iPhone to learn your routine, so this advice probably won’t be too helpful.

To view your daily average usage on your iPhone, go to Settings and select Screen Time. Tap on the button labeled "See all App & Website Activity" to access the detailed breakdown. You can switch between week and day views and navigate through time by scrolling left and right. The data is categorized into three sections:

Most Frequently Used: Discover the apps that you utilize the most frequently and the amount of time you spend on them. Easily switch between app categories and individual apps by selecting "Show Categories".

Quick Access: Find the apps that you immediately open after picking up your device, whether it's in response to a notification or simply because you unlocked your iPhone with the intention of using a specific app like Reddit or a similar platform.

Notifications: Discover the average quantity of notifications you have received and the respective sending apps.

For a comprehensive perspective, simply tap on "Show More" in each section. Moreover, tapping on the apps will provide you with a daily average of the time spent on them.

Many of these apps will be essentials, such as Safari, Messages, note-taking apps, and work-related apps. Alongside these, there will also be social media apps, games, and a few news apps. Additionally, separate entries for websites will appear.

This feature provides insights into your app usage patterns, such as the amount of time spent on specific apps, the apps that are automatically launched when you grab your phone, and the apps that consistently send notifications to grab your attention. Utilizing this information, you can identify the apps you wish to restrict.

How to Set App Limits on iPhone

By setting an app limit, you can determine the amount of time you want to spend using a specific app each day. As you use the app, you will receive notifications informing you about the remaining time, serving as gentle reminders to save some time for later and prevent exceeding your target.

App limits are not strict restrictions. You have the option to disregard the limits and continue using the app, or you can go to the Settings and disable any imposed limits. The purpose is not to control your behavior, but rather to increase your awareness of the time you spend on your device and how you utilize it.

You can manage your app usage by going to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits. Activate the "App Limits" toggle and then select "Add Limit" to choose an app. Adjust the dial to specify the total duration in minutes (or hours) you wish to spend on that app every day. Finally, tap "Done" to save the changes.

You can easily set limits for specific apps by accessing the Screen Time menu and clicking on the desired app. Once selected, simply tap the "Add Limit" button located at the bottom of the screen. To remove limits, revisit the menus, choose the limit you want to remove, and click on the "Delete Limit" option at the bottom of the screen.

When your usage limit is reached, you will receive a notification indicating that your allotted time has ended. Simultaneously, the app icon on the home screen will be displayed with a faded appearance, accompanied by the presence of an hourglass symbol.

Tap “OK” to close the app, or hit “Ignore Limit” to see some options for extending your time.

Use Shortcuts to Set App Timers

To avoid feeling overwhelmed by a daily limit in minutes, you have the option to utilize timers to become more conscious of the time you invest in apps. This process involves setting a timer each time you access a specific app, a functionality provided by Automations within the Shortcuts app.

To acquire Shortcuts, simply download it from the App Store. After launching the app, navigate to the "Automation" tab located at the bottom of the screen. Proceed by tapping on the plus icon (+) in the top-right corner to initiate the creation of a new automation.

Pick “App” from the list of triggers and then tap “Choose” and nominate an app. Make sure that “Run Immediately” is enabled and “Notify When Run” is disabled.

On the following screen, you will have the option to select the desired action upon launching the app. To proceed, kindly conduct a search for "Timer" and opt for "Start Timer" from the provided options. At this point, you can now set the desired duration of the timer (by specifying the "Duration" input) in seconds, minutes, or hours.

Click "Done" to save your automation, and it will appear in the "Automations" tab along with others you have created. You can delete it by swiping left.

From now on, whenever you open the designated app, a timer will be initiated. This will occur each time you launch Instagram, even if you momentarily leave and come back. The timer will continue running regardless of whether or not you continue using the app.

Creating a Shortcut that solely includes the "Cancel current timer" action and setting up a new automation to trigger this shortcut upon the closure of the designated app can help streamline this process.

Use Downtime to Set Broader Limits on iPhone Use

In the Settings section, specifically under Screen Time, you will come across a feature called Downtime. This mode is designed to establish broad restrictions on all apps except for those listed in the allow-list. Its purpose is to assist you in curtailing the urge to access apps like Slack or Trello while you are meant to be unwinding. Furthermore, it can also be utilized to limit the usage of apps that may hinder your ability to fall asleep.

To automate when this mode engages, utilize the scheduler in the Downtime setting. Return to Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed to establish a list of allowed apps. Additionally, you have the option to authorize specific contacts from this section.

Ditch the Notifications

Avoiding distractions becomes easier when you're unaware of what you might be missing out on. That's why apps frequently send alluring notifications to captivate your attention. By accessing the Screen Time menu, you can identify which apps are the primary senders of notifications.

Go to Settings > Notifications to modify settings for individual apps. Additionally, swipe left on notifications displayed on your lock screen and select “Options,” then choose “View Settings” to customize them.

Fewer notifications mean fewer pick-ups, and it can also have positive knock-on effects for your battery life.

Get Rid of Apps That Don’t Do Anything For You

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects is making the decision to discontinue using an app and completely remove it from your device. Take into account the apps that consistently leave you feeling unsatisfied, regardless of the amount of time you invest in them. It's important to note that this isn't exclusive to social media apps only.

Rather than merely playing games out of habit, have you ever considered how mobile games can subtly draw you in with their daily check-ins and bonuses? How many games do you find yourself playing just to maintain your streak? Do you genuinely derive enjoyment from them?

It's a tale we often hear - individuals diligently playing a game like Wordle every day to keep their streak going, only to falter one day and completely abandon the game. Should we be concerned about the potential harm these games might have on our routines? Or would we perhaps discover more time for activities we truly prefer, such as exploring and enjoying better games available on platforms like Apple Arcade?

Stay the Course

To temporarily eliminate distractions such as email, phone calls, and other "essential" services, make use of the Focus mode on your iPhone. Additionally, you can employ various techniques to block distracting websites on your computer. While it may take some willpower, you're likely reading this because you understand the importance of adhering to these limits and avoiding temptations like using Safari or completely disregarding the limitations.