Google mandates that all devices that upgrade Android 9 and later have built-in ‘digital wellbeing’ app

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Earlier we mentioned that the Google adjustment licensing mechanism requires manufacturers to use Android 10 native gesture navigation, but Google is not only adjusting these. Digital Wellbeing app is designed to help all users use their phones in a healthier way. In the latest license file, Google requires that all versions upgraded to Android 9 and beyond after September 3, 2019, must-have digital wellbeing app.

Image: Google

Speaking of the digital wellbeing app, users will think that this is a function such as a pedometer and body health, but digital health here is mainly about the use of time. That is, the user’s time statistics using the Android device, the frequency trend of use, the number of devices unlocks, the number of notifications received, and the total on-time of the screen. The purpose of the digital wellbeing app is to remind users to use healthier and more reasonable use and to use the time reference for data statistics to facilitate the reasonable adjustment. Of course, digital wellbeing itself is just a statistical and reminder function that does not restrict users’ use. Parents can use parental controls to limit children’s use time.

According to Google’s latest GMS agreement, all devices that upgrade or activate Android 9 and later after September 3, 2019, must have built-in digital wellbeing features.

Manufacturers can customize the digital wellbeing app or use it directly from Google. Anyway, as long as this feature is provided, it can be certified.

However, if the manufacturer develops it himself, at least the following content:

  • Total amount of screen ON time
  • Number of device unlocks
  • Count of notifications received

Google also requires that the data be broken down for different applications, even subdivided and traced daily or hourly. This app is also a digital health app developed by Google. Of course, users can also install this app directly without waiting for the manufacturer to publish.

Source: 9to5google

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