Blink Blink on Android
Android downloads aren't available yet. The Android version is written but hasn't been tested on a real phone. This page explains what it will ask for and why, so you know before you install.
What you'll need
A phone or tablet with Android 8.0 or later. When the Android version is ready, the download and install steps will be on this page.
Permissions, and why each one
Onboarding walks through these in order. Each step has a button that opens the right system screen, and turns into "Done" once it's granted. You can change any of them later in system settings.
| Onboarding step | Why Blink Blink needs it | Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications ("Allow notifications") | A quiet ongoing notice while it counts, and a fallback notification when the break screen can't open. The notice offers "Pause 1 h". | Yes |
| Show breaks over other apps ("Open settings") | Android needs "Display over other apps" to open the break screen while you use another app. | Yes |
| Usage Access (optional) ("Open Usage Access") | Only needed to count selected apps, or to hold breaks in maps, camera and calls. Whole-phone mode works without it. | Optional |
| Battery ("Open battery settings") | Set battery use to "Unrestricted" so Android doesn't stop the break timer. | Strongly recommended |
| Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO? ("Open app permissions") | Also allow "Display pop-up windows while running in the background" under Other permissions. If a break can't open, a notification appears instead. | On those phones |
Behind the scenes the app also keeps a foreground service running (so the counter keeps going), and starts again after a restart. It doesn't ask for your phone state, your contacts, or the list of every installed app.
Other phone makers
Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei and others have their own battery savers that can stop background apps. If breaks stop appearing, check that phone's battery or "app launch" settings allow Blink Blink to run in the background. See Troubleshooting.
What counts on Android
- Whole phone (the default): all screen-on time counts.
- Only the apps I pick: time in the apps you choose counts. Needs Usage Access.
- Hold breaks in these apps: breaks wait while one is open. It starts with Google Maps, Waze, Google Camera and the Google dialer.
Breaks also wait during calls and while the phone is in landscape, then come 30 seconds later. Phones get 20-second eye breaks, Gentle friction and an hourly rest prompt by default. See Settings.