Android 17’s Pause Point is Still Unavailable: Discover 3 Alternatives to Experience it Today!

The official rollout of Android 17 occurred in June 2026 for Pixel devices, introducing a variety of exciting features. However, as is often the case with Google, not all functionalities announced during the Google I/O event have been made available yet. One notable feature still awaited is Pause Point, a digital wellbeing tool aimed at reducing mindless app usage and excessive scrolling.

Pause Point distinguishes itself from existing Digital Wellbeing features by allowing users a 10-second pause to consider why they are opening an app, rather than simply locking them out. The feature also includes a timer for usage and recommends alternative apps for more productive utilization of time. Interestingly, turning it off necessitates a device restart, making it harder to revert to habitual behaviors.

While Pause Point is expected to launch “later this year,” its precise timing remains uncertain—ranging from the upcoming Pixel Drop update to late 2023. Fortunately, users don’t have to wait for this feature to start addressing their time-wasting tendencies.

Here are three immediate actions you can take to tackle your excessive scrolling behavior.

The initial step in addressing compulsive app usage is to acknowledge the issue and identify the main culprits among your apps—typically the quick-scrolling platforms like TikTok or Instagram. To effectively combat any addiction, adding “friction” to access is essential. Many users have shortcuts for these distracting apps on their home screens.

Removing these shortcuts or organizing them into less accessible folders can significantly reduce temptation. Research has shown that the likelihood of opening distractions decreases when they are not readily visible upon unlocking your device. Personally, I’ve experienced a marked drop in food delivery orders simply by removing app shortcuts from my home screen.

Moreover, consider disabling or limiting notifications from these apps. Android allows users to customize which notifications to receive and which to mute.

To adjust notification settings, long-press the app icon, then tap the ‘i’ icon. From there, select Notifications to either disable all notifications or silence specific categories. Unlike essential apps like Gmail or messaging services that may require immediate attention, non-essential apps can afford to wait.

If these strategies aren’t helping, it’s time to delve into the various options available within Android’s Digital Wellbeing feature.

Google has incorporated an array of tools within the Digital Wellbeing app designed to mitigate screen addiction, and it’s prudent to utilize them effectively. These tools aim to introduce friction during app usage, reminding you how long you’ve spent on each application. However, they can be easily ignored or turned off, potentially leading to a return to previous habits. A previous detailed guide has outlined how to navigate these features, but I will highlight the main functions as they have evolved with the release of Android 17.

To begin, access the Digital Wellbeing section through your Settings app. Under Ways to disconnect, you’ll find various tools to help limit your app usage.

Using the App Timer, you can set a daily limit for app usage. Once the time is up, that app will appear grayed out. Unfortunately, this isn’t very robust since merely tapping on the app will show a warning, which can be easily bypassed with an “Unpause app” tap for unrestricted access.

Focus mode offers a more stringent option and is simpler to configure. It allows you to select multiple apps and designate a pause schedule throughout the week, giving you the option to skip weekends should you prefer less restriction during your days off. A notable feature of Focus is that it permits five minutes of use for paused apps, but to access the app beyond that, you must navigate back to the main Wellbeing page to disable it.

If you prefer a less intrusive reminder, activate Screen time reminders. This feature is set for all apps by default and will show a popup indicating how long you’ve spent using any application. It doesn’t prevent access but merely keeps you aware of your app usage duration.

If self-control and built-in Android features haven’t sufficed, consider using specialized applications. One app, called One Sec, features a function akin to Pause Point: it prompts you to take a moment to breathe before deciding whether to continue with the app or close it.

This app also provides insights on how often you’ve opened it in the past 24 hours for a sobering reality check. While it is ad-free, the free version allows monitoring of only one app; the Pro version, priced at $20 a year, unlocks all functionalities, including unlimited monitoring and time tracking.

For those struggling with the endless scrolling of platforms like Instagram or YouTube, ScrollGuard is a fitting solution. This free app effectively prevents you from accessing the Reels or Shorts sections, while its anti-scroll feature displays a large black box in places with infinite scrolling.

ScrollGuard Pro offers a lifetime license for under $20, which includes controls for individual apps, customizable settings for the anti-scroll feature, and the ability to view Reels from friends without triggering the blocker.

Lastly, there’s Forest, an app that gamifies your focus sessions by allowing you to plant and nurture virtual trees. Each successful focus session where you refrain from app use encourages your tree to grow, while prematurely ending a session results in the tree wilting.

This app serves more as a mindfulness tool than a strict blocker, featuring an appealing design and enjoyable challenges.

Smartphone manufacturers have long been experimenting with various strategies to reduce app addiction. OnePlus’s Zen Mode (now Zen Space) was quite popular a few years back, while Samsung is ramping up efforts with its forthcoming tools in One UI 9 beta. According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), a substantial number of adults, particularly younger ones, admit that nighttime doomscrolling negatively affects their sleep. Even older generations are not impervious to the enticing screen light.

Consequently, it’s understandable that Google is once again directing its attention towards providing users with tools to combat this addiction. Pause Point is projected to deliver a more integrated and forceful approach against compulsive scrolling. Until this feature is launched, however, there are plenty of measures to implement, provided you are willing to make the commitment.