Google's School time feature is coming to Android smartphones: What is it, how to use it

Earlier this year in May, Google introduced a new feature called School time for the Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatches. The feature allows parents to limit functionalities on their kid’s device for select hours. This lets the children focus on school and learning, and not get distracted by exciting stuff on their watch. Now, this feature is rolling out to Android smartphones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy Watches. But not all devices, rather select ones. Let’s see how the feature works and how can parents set it up.

Google’s School time feature is expanding to more devices

Google’s School time feature is a great addition to Android smartphones and tablets, as it will let parents limit distractions for young users. This can be useful when students are in between their classes.  However, one concern that may come in is students must be able to use their phones in emergencies. Fortunately, this feature allows parents to limit functionalities for predetermined hours.

As to how this feature works, when it’s enabled, a dedicated home page will come up on the screen that shows limited features like calling and texting. It also allows for limited notifications, those that are important. For instance, parents can allow call and message notifications from them or other family members but disable them for others. Certain app notifications, for instance: Instagram, can be disabled. This way young users can not get distracted with reels and focus on the class.

Parents can set this feature on their child’s device through Google’s Family Link app. While this feature is coming to Android smartphones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy Watches, not all devices may get it. Only select devices may receive the feature. Unfortunately, Google hasn’t disclosed what are the exact devices that will get the feature. But we should know about the availability soon.

Keeping the new feature aside, users can also block notifications on their phones to focus more on important things with the Focus mode on Android. This is great for teens or even for adults who just can’t stop scrolling reels.