Learn how to set two or more timers simultaneously on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac so you can easily keep track of multiple tasks or to-dos at once.
Before you read ahead, here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Timers cannot run longer than 24 hours; that’s why you can only use timer durations ranging from one second to 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.
- You can have multiple timers with the same duration, like three 5-minute timers.
- After creating a few timers, you can tap the green start button next to a recent timer without having to set its duration again.
Create multiple timers on iPhone and iPad
You have two easy ways to do this: asking Siri and using the built-in Clock app.
Siri
- Ask Siri to set a timer for 5 minutes or set a Pasta timer for 5 minutes (to have the timer labeled Pasta). Of course, you can set any custom duration expressed in hours, minutes, and seconds or rename the timer label.
- To add a second timer, simply ask Siri to create a timer for whatever duration you need.
- Repeat the steps above to add more timers.
Clock app
- Open the built-in Clock app on your iPhone or iPad and choose Timers.
- Set the duration using the hours, min, and seconds picker.
- Tap Label to name this timer to help identify which timer serves what purpose. To set an alert tone or ringtone, tap When Timer Ends.
- Tap the green Start button to run the first timer.
- Tap the plus button (+) in the top-right corner, then follow step 2 and hit Start in the top-right corner to create any subsequent timers you need.
Create multiple timers on Mac
Update your Mac to the most recent version of macOS and follow these steps:
1) Open the Apple Clock app and click Timers from the top.
2) Set a time, name the timer, choose an alert tone, and click Start to add your first timer.
3) Click the plus button in the top-right corner and choose a preset or recent time. Or, select Custom Timer and repeat step 2.
One ongoing timer should already be running in the menu bar. To see them all in the Clock app, click the timer in the menu bar.
Your Mac will play a sound and display a notification when the timer has run out. Click Options in the notification and choose to stop or repeat it.
FAQs
Do iPhone timers sync via iCloud?
Timers in the iPhone’s Clock app don’t sync with your other devices, like iPads or Macs. However, when an iPhone timer ends, you get an alert on your Apple Watch.
Can I edit a running timer on my iPhone?
You can’t change the duration of a running timer, but you can rename it while it’s running and change the tone that plays upon its completion.
Does force-closing the Clock app stop the timer?
No. If you force quit the Clock app, your timers keep running in the background. I don’t advise force-closing apps unless absolutely necessary.
On a related note: