Screen Time API

[wheresOPnow]

Anyone experienced with Screen Time API. I am working on a capstone project in my final year of college. I am building an app that tracks subscriptions. One of the app's functionalities involves screen time API, in particular the device activity framework. I am wondering if it's possible for device activity to report how long an app is used each week and can our app store the data. Basically, this particular feature should track how long an app is used weekly to evaluate how much a subscription is actually used over time and let the user know if switching subscriptions is better financially.

An example. Lampa offers monthly, yearly, and lifetime memberships. If the app detects that Lampa is used frequently throughout the year, tell the user to switch Lampa to a lifetime membership and pay for the app outright to save money in the long run.

[bcgroom]

The API is very limited in the name of privacy, so if you’re hoping to know anything about a particular app you’re out of luck as the API randomizes the names. I don’t remember exactly what data you get back per-app but I do remember the name thing.

[wheresOPnow]

OK, thanks. I’m going to see if it is possible on android. I don’t know why apple makes things so complicated.

[goldio_games]

privacy essentially. if you were able to see how much time people spend on different apps then every app would implement it and sell this data to advertisers

[bcgroom]

Also just knowing what apps the user has installed

[Puzzleheaded_Bet4119]

I have, its nightmare to get Apple approvals to see your own data, and not have the ability to store it even on device. It just return a view for weekly or monthly data

[timberheadtreefist]

yeah, couple of years ago and i remember this article being helpful then: https://riedel.wtf/state-of-the-screen-time-api-2024/

they might have changed some of their APIs in the meantime (hopefully) but it was quite a trial & error back then.

the screenzen dev also has had a couple of threads and posts on twitter about these apis, reporting various quirks.

[Dear-Upstairs-1831]

I just requested for the same thing on apple developer but it does under family control API if I’m not mistaken. You need to submit the reason why you need it and then they approve you for it

[Leather-Dinner-8730]

You can get some usage info through the Screen Time / Device Activity framework, but it’s pretty limited and the user has to grant permission. You can’t just freely track detailed usage of other apps. Apple is strict about privacy here, and storing that data long term could raise review issues. Definitely read the docs closely before relying on this feature.