Dumb Phone Prescription

Pixel, how to cut game time

Pixel (Android 15) / OS version Android 15 / Checked on 2026-09-15

One round becomes five. Pair a time limit with silenced notifications.

This app cannot block other apps. What it can do is show you the shortest way to turn the phone you already own into a dumb phone, using settings it already has.

Taken from the maker's own support documents. We have not held these handsets ourselves, so if a menu name differs, search for the word below.

  1. 1. Open Digital Wellbeing

    Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls

    Everything below lives on this one screen.

    Type this into the Settings search box: Digital Wellbeing

    Checked on 2026-09-15 / OS version Android 15 / Source Google, Android Help, manage how you spend time on your phone (from the official document)

  2. 2. Put an app timer on your games

    Digital Wellbeing and parental controls > Dashboard > hourglass next to your games > set a time

    The icon locks when the budget is spent and unlocks at midnight. It is a daily allowance.

    Type this into the Settings search box: App timer

    Checked on 2026-09-15 / OS version Android 15 / Source Google, Android Help, manage how you spend time on your phone (from the official document)

  3. 3. Set up focus mode

    Digital Wellbeing and parental controls > Focus mode > choose distracting apps

    While it runs the chosen apps pause and their notifications stop. You can set an end time up front.

    Type this into the Settings search box: Focus mode

    Checked on 2026-09-15 / OS version Android 15 / Source Google, Android Help, manage how you spend time on your phone (from the official document)

  4. 4. Turn on Do Not Disturb

    Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb

    What pulls you back is usually a notification. People and apps can be kept as exceptions.

    Type this into the Settings search box: Do Not Disturb

    Checked on 2026-09-15 / OS version Android 15 / Source Google, Android Help, Do Not Disturb (from the official document)

Every change here can be undone in the same place. That means it is not enforcement, and we are not hiding that.

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