GoKawiilThe stable version of Android 17 finally dropped in June 2026 for Pixel phones, adding a bunch of great new features. However, in typical Google fashion, not every Android 17 feature announced during Google I/O is available yet. One of the big ones that’s yet to arrive is Pause Point, a new Digital Wellbeing tool designed to help you break the habit of autopilot app use or doomscrolling.
What sets Pause Point apart from Android’s existing Digital Wellbeing tools is that, rather than locking you out of the app from the get-go, it takes a slightly different approach by giving you a 10-second breather to reflect on your intention for opening the app in the first place. Pause Point also lets you set a usage timer and even suggests alternative apps to better utilize your spare time. The coolest part, though, is that disabling it requires you to restart your phone, which means it’s not so easy to disable Pause Point and jump back to your old habit.
Pause Point is said to arrive “later this year,” which could mean anything from the next Pixel Drop update in a month to even the end of this year. The good news is that you don’t have to wait for Pause Point in order to curb your time-wasting phone habits.
Here are three things you can try right away in order to take control of your doomscrolling addiction.
Are you looking forward to Android 17's Pause Point feature? 4 votes Yes, I can't wait for it. 0 % Maybe, it looks interesting. 50 % No, I have no use for it. 0 % I don't care either way. 50 %
Delete app shortcuts and limit notifications for the main culprits
The first step to combat autopilot app use is to accept that you have a problem and identify the main time-wasting apps on your phone. These are usually the one-thumb scrollers like TikTok or Instagram. In order to combat any addiction, we need to first create ‘friction’ to the access point. For apps, there’s a good chance that you have many shortcuts sitting right on your homescreen.
Deleting the shortcuts of the distraction apps or placing them in folders so there’s more friction for unintentional use has actually been scientifically proven to work. The temptation to open these apps automatically becomes less if they’re not in plain sight when you unlock your phone. I’ve put this to the test myself with regard to food ordering apps. Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed a big drop in the number of times I’ve ordered-in food simply by removing the app shortcuts from the home screen.
In addition to the app shortcuts, it’s also advisable to disable or limit notifications from such apps. In Android, you can now drill down and fine-tune which notifications you want to receive and which you want to block.
Joe Maring / Android Authority
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