This App Syncs the Pomodoro Timer Across All Your Apple Devices
We’ve talked more than once about the Pomodoro technique , which is based on intense concentration on a task for 25 minutes and a five-minute break. There are many programs available to do this job, but most of them are only installed on one of your devices.
Not Focus Timer , an indie app that has been around in various forms for eleven years. The current version works on all Apple platforms: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch and even Vision Pro. Your settings, including the current timer, are synced via iCloud, and you don’t have to do anything other than install the app on different platforms. It’s very convenient, but not free: access to the app on all platforms costs $40 per year.
Of course, it’s a big price to pay for a timer, but it’s really nice to have a Pomodoro timer that follows you around. I, for example, like to get up and walk around the house during breaks – with this app installed, I can start a break on my laptop, get up and get a reminder to get back to work on my phone.
Meaningful Things , the four-person German team behind the app, is constantly offering updates – offering just about every major Apple feature you can think of. There are versions for Apple Watch and Vision Pro. The iPhone app has Live Activity , which means you’ll see a real-time countdown on your phone’s lock screen as soon as you start a session (even if you start that session on your Mac). There are many widgets available for all platforms. There is extensive support for Apple Shortcuts. For the Mac version there is an icon in the menu bar.
I could go on, but essentially, if you are the kind of person who likes to take advantage of the latest Apple features, this app will help you. Focus Timer won’t be the perfect Pomodoro app for everyone—the price alone means some people aren’t going to touch it—but I recommend at least trying the seven-day free trial. It’s rare to find something that runs so smoothly across devices.