Mac App Track Computer Usage

With macOS Catalina, Screen Time is now available on Macs for the first time. The tool, which launched on iPhone and iPad in 2018, records the amount of time a user spends in various apps, from social networking to games. It also contains blocking features to limit usage. There are also parental controls, such as the ability to place limits on communication, particularly from specific contacts. The feature has been designed to improve our digital wellness and get us away from our screens every once in a while.

Nov 08, 2019 When I leave Music playing and wake my Mac, Screen Time registers Music in Pickups as the reason I woke my Mac. In reality, I just wanted to wake the computer so I could get back to work. The Best Alternatives to macOS Screen Time. Apps that track your computer usage are nothing new. Some people use them to improve and track their productivity. Mar 09, 2015 The MAC address variable is an important one when it comes to tracking devices on your network. Most networks use DHCP servers so you cannot rely on tracking activity based on IP addresses only. MAC addresses are unique per device so they will give you a reliable audit trail as to what is happening on your network. Using Third-Party Time Tracking Software for Windows. There is a variety of 3 rd-party web-based and desktop applications for tracking time spent on Windows PC. Some of the popular time trackers include: Harvest – The program can track time spent on a computer for the team and personal purposes. You can track time on multiple devices and is useful for tracking duration and recording.

Here's how it works.

How to turn on Screen Time on macOS

Screen Time is located in System Preferences in macOS Catalina. To get started:

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select the Options button at the bottom left.
Click the Turn On button at the top right.
Source: iMore

You can now start using Screen Time on Mac.

How to turn off Screen Time on macOS

To stop using Screen Time on Mac:

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select the Options button at the bottom left.
Click the Turn Off button at the top right.
Source: iMore

How to share Screen Time on macOS across all devices

To get a more accurate picture of how much time you spend online, you can use Screen Time across all of your devices. In doing so, you can view your total Screen Time from the app. You must first turn this on, however.

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select the Options button at the bottom left.
Check the Share Across Devices box.
Source: iMore

How to add a password to Screen Time on macOS

You can set a password in Screen Time on Mac. By doing so, you can secure your settings and also use the password to extend the time for users when necessary.

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select the Options button at the bottom left.
Check the Use Screen Time Password box.
Source: iMore

How to view app usage in Screen Time on macOS

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select App Usage on the left side.
Source: iMore

From this screen, you can see your app usage by day, apps, and categories. When there are limits (see below), you'll also see them here.

How to view notifications sent in Screen Time on macOS

Are receiving notifications on your Mac each day slowing down your work? Do you wonder who's sending all of those alerts? Screen Time can help.

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select Notifications on the left side.
Source: iMore

Look how many notifications you've received by who by day or week.

How to view pickups in Screen Time on macOS

If you're sharing Screen Time information across your Apple devices, you can see the number of times you pick up your mobile device(s) through the Mac app. Lifting to see your devices excessively each day could become a distraction.

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select Pickups on the left side.
Source: iMore

How to schedule Downtime using Screen Time for macOS

During Downtime, only apps you choose to allow will work plus phone calls, when applicable. To set up a Downtime schedule:

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select Downtime on the left side.
Click the Turn On button to activate Downtime.
Using the radio buttons, select Every Day or Custom depending on the schedule you'd like to set.
Source: iMore

With Every Day selected, Downtime is enforced during the same time each day. With Custom picked, you can adjust the time for each day of the week or uncheck the box next to a day to turn Downtime off for that day.

How to set limits using Screen Time for macOS

In Screen Time for Mac, you can set time limits according to app categories.

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select App Limits on the left side.
Click the Turn On button to activate App Limits.
Source: iMore
Select the + to add an app category.
Next, check the box next to the app category you'd like to limit.
With the app category highlighted, set the limit using the radio buttons. You can set the limits Every Day or using a Custom schedule.
Source: iMore
Repeat Steps 5-6 for each app category you'd like to limit.
Click Done to complete.

To remove app limits:

In Screen Time for Mac, select App Limits on the left side.
On the right, uncheck the box next to each app category you no longer want to limit.
To turn off app tracking, click the Turn Off button.
Source: iMore

Mac Apps Download

How to set always allowed content in Screen Time for macOS

You might want specific processes available on the Mac all the time, regardless of other restrictions. This can include communication with certain people or apps.

To set always allowed content:

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select Always Allowed on the left side.
Source: iMore
Check the box next to each of the items to always allow.
Source: iMore

How to set content and privacy using Screen Time for macOS

You can also restrict content and privacy using Screen Time.

Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
Select Content & Privacy on the left side.
Click Turn On to activate Content & Privacy.
Source: iMore
There are four sections here: Content, Stores, Apps, and Other. Under each, check the box. See samples below.
Source: iMore
Source: iMore

Mac App Track Computer Usage System

Final questions and comments

Do you have any questions about Screen Time? How about macOS Catalina? Let us know below.

Updated December 2019: Updated for macOS Catalina.

macOS Catalina

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