TimeLimit.io - free usage duration limitation
Apps are grouped to categories (a category can contain one or multiple App).
You can chose per category at which times it should be allowed. This allows preventing playing games too late.
Additionally, you can configure time limit rules. These rules limit the total usage duration at one day or over multiple days (e.g. a weekend). It is possible to combine both, e.g. 2 hours per week end day, but in total only 3 hours.
Moreover, there is the possibility to set an extra time. This allows using something longer than regulary once. This can be used as bonus. There is additionally the option to disable all time limits temporarily (e.g. for the whole day or an hour).
Multi user support
There is the scenario that one device is used by exactly one user. However, with tablets, there are often multiple possible users. Due to that, it is possible to create multiple user profiles in TimeLimit. Each user has got different settings and time counters. There are two kinds of users: parents and children. If a parent was chosen as user, then there are no restrictions. Parents can chose any other user as current user. Children can only chose themselves as current user.
Multi device support
There are scenarios in which one user has got multiple devices. Instead of time limits per device and splitting the limits across the devices, it is possible to assign one user to multiple devices.
Then the usage durations are counted together and allowing an App automatically affects all devices. Depending on the settings, only one device per time can be used or multiple devices at the same time. However, un the second case, it is possible to use more time than available e.g. at connection interruptions.
Connected
It is possible to view and change settings from any linked device. This connection is possible - if wanted - using your server.
Notes
Some features cost money if you don't use your own server. These features cost 1 € per month/ 10 € per year (in Germany).
TimeLimit does not work good at some smartphone brands (mostly Huawei and Wiko). With the correct settings, it can work better. But better is not good.
If it "does not work": This can be caused by power saving features. You can find at https://dontkillmyapp.com/ how you can disable these features. Get in touch with the support if that does not help.
Depending on the Android version, TimeLimit uses the permission for the usage stats access or the GET_TASKS permission. These are only used to detect the currently used App. Based on the currently used App, the App is blocked, allowed, or the remaining time is calculated.
The device admin permission is used to detect an uninstallation of TimeLimit.
TimeLimit uses the notification access to block notifications of blocked apps and to terminate media players completely. Notifications and their contents are not saved.
TimeLimit uses an accessibility service to press the home button before showing the lock screen. This fixes blocking in some cases. Moreover, this allows opening the lockscreen at newer Android versions.
TimeLimit uses the permission "draw over other Apps" to allow opening the lockscreen at newer android versions and to overlay blocked Apps until the lockscreen is launched.
Category : Tools
Reviews (13)
This seems like a great app. Lots of different options, from blocking from on time to another or setting a usage limit. You could limit the time you spend globally on your phone or just one app. That said, there's a lot of conflicts for me, like with parts of my settings app. I can open some of them, but not all. So I can't whitelist this app from the battery saving option, but passwords and general options, and mostly the app blocks itself from accessing support.. So meh
Great app. Since my last review, you can now add limits for certain times of day (like 0min 12am-5am) Activity-level blocking now comes with instructions. The new session limits is great. Now I can set YouTube for 1:30 total, but only 30 minutes per session. I'd like the option to change the "apps status" notification icon so it's invisible, because that icon on the top triggers OCD. Also, the ability to copy daily time limits to different days would be nice.
This app is increidbly inconvenient. There is no way to change the default behavior for apps that are not in a list. And the default behavior is to block them! So every time you install an app you have to add it to a list before you can use it. I tried to chanhe my wallpaper on the settings and i got blocked... YES! EVEN SYSTEM APPS ARE BLOCKED BY DEFAULT -edit- i finally found how to fix this problem. You have to set a category to “use this category for unassigened apps” very unintuitive tho!!
The only app I've found which allows you to set a time limit and also block for certain times of the day. The developer has done a great job. My only criticism is the text instructions are a little hard to follow, with a more professional UI this app would be the best in the space by far.
Most advanced and useful time limiter I've come across. Configuration can be a bit annoying, but works great once you get the hang of it and have it set up. I use the version on F-Droid.
Finally app allowing to block apps by default - otherwise attempts to say discourage browsing on phone are doomed to fail as there is always some alternative browser. Yes settings are tricky but this app actually works, unlike very similar ones.
This app is very useful & flexible. I use it to limit my own use of social media. NOTE: 1. 1st, set all apps to ALLOWED. Otherwise, phone & text will be prohibited--even INCOMING calls. Then move selected apps to the desired limited category. 2. If U set a time limit, (2 hrs) & click multiple days, (Mon, Tu, Wed), then that time limit will be combined for all days checked. To set the same time limit on multiple day days, (1 hr/day Mon-Fri) use repeat option.
Finally a free app allowing me to limit my child's screen time! In local mode no data is sent so I have no issues with data privacy. Thanks for your work!
It seems that it works as it should, you cofirmed that last time. I misunderstood remaining time as the the remaining time of session time. Session do reset, sorry for inconvenience and thanks for the confirmation
Although its intefarce could be improved and more intuitive, it's a 5 star for me since it is the best / only open source available and is a perfect companion of google Family Link.
settings are far too complicated
it crashes after I scan the QRcode in android 5.1
I use this on my kids Amazon fire and I think it is awesome. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that it occasionaly stop counting time and I get notification "TimeLimit in internal whitelist". Could you please describe why is this happening and how to prevent it. And also how to fix it without uninstall, remove, install, setup all. Thanks! Update : I am editing to 5 stars because of awesome support on my issue.