Using the Timer, Alarm, and Stopwatch Apps on Apple Watch - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Using the Timer, Alarm, and Stopwatch Apps on Apple Watch

by

Apple has separated its three time-based categories into separate apps on Apple Watch. This allows you to quickly access the specific feature of the timer, alarm, and stopwatch you want with just a few taps.

Apple Watch Timer_Alarm_Stopwatch
While most of it is self-explanatory, we've got some tips for how to get the most out of each of these apps so they work the way you want, when you want.

Timer

The Timer app on Apple watch makes it possible for you to set a timer right from your wrist so you don't have to search out your iPhone to activate or even turn off the alert when time is up.

Apple Watch Timer
Tap the Timer app icon on Apple Watch to open it. Then rotate the Digital Crown to adjust the time. When ready, tap the Start button.

You can switch between a timer that goes from zero to 12 hours and a timer that goes from zero to 24 hours by firmly pressing the display screen.

Alarm

The Alarm app on Apple Watch is completely separate from the iPhone, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Alarms will not sync between devices. However, if you are wearing Apple Watch when an alarm goes off on your iPhone, you will receive an alert and be able to dismiss or snooze it.

Apple Watch Alarm

To set an alarm on Apple Watch:

  1. Open the Alarm app on Apple Watch.
  2. Firmly press the screen to call up the add (+) symbol.
  3. Change the time and repetition. Name the alarm using Dictation. Turn on or off the snooze feature.
  4. Toggle the alarm on or off when you want to activate it.

To delete an alarm, tap it. Then, scroll to the bottom and tap Delete.

Stopwatch

The Stopwatch app on Apple Watch is robust with multiple options for tracking your fitness routine and other activities you might want to use a stopwatch with.

Apple Watch Stopwatch
There are four different types of stopwatches. To access the different types, firmly press on the screen to call up the four stopwatch icons.

Analog:
The Analog display shows the seconds on a minute clock face. Tap the green button to start the stopwatch. Tap the white button to set a new lap or reset the data. Tap the red button to stop the stopwatch.

Digital:
The Digital display shows the minutes, seconds, and milliseconds as digital data. Tap the Start button to start the stopwatch. Tap the Lap button to set a new lap. Tap the Stop button to stop the stopwatch. Tap Reset to clear the data.

Graph:
The Graph display shows the information on a graph based on how much more or less time each lap uses. Follow the instructions for the Digital display to control the Graph display.

Hybrid:
The Hybrid display shows the most important features of all three. The analog clock face shows the minutes, seconds, and milliseconds, as does the digital data. The graph shows your progress as it pertains to the previous lap. Follow the instructions for the digital display to control the Hybrid display.

With the Timer, Alarm, and Stopwatch apps on Apple Watch, you can quickly and easily access the same features available within the iPhone's Clock app, but without having to navigate through so many sections. Each app is specially designed to optimize its most important features.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

keysofanxiety Avatar
148 months ago
Next week's article: "How to use the home button on the iPhone"
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arran Avatar
148 months ago
Next week's article: "How to use the home button on the iPhone"
It does a lot more than many people realize.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
148 months ago
If you hate MR so much, why don't you just go elsewhere to complain?
Maybe he did not see the previous article on how to do that.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
148 months ago
Next week's article: "How to use the home button on the iPhone"
I found this to be a useful article. If you hate MR so much, why don't you just go elsewhere to complain?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arran Avatar
148 months ago
Well, I didn't know you could force-touch on the timer.

Good article.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Benjamin Frost Avatar
148 months ago
Well, I didn't know you could force-touch on the timer.

Good article.
It suggests that force touch is fundamentally not a good idea, as you can't ever know what it is used for; the very opposite of a transparent user-interface, ironically, given the invisibility of its appearance.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple watch s12 ultra 4

Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 Owners Report Skin Irritation

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:02 pm PDT by
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners have experienced unexpected skin irritation with the new models, according to reports on the MacRumors forums and Reddit. Affected users complain of a burning sensation and redness under the sensor area. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 measure heart rate every five seconds, and some people have wondered if that's the cause of the skin...
southern straps 3 1

MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps

Friday October 9, 2026 10:20 am PDT by
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a nylon band from Southern Straps to go along with it. Southern Straps is a California-based company that has been making high-quality bands for the Apple Watch since the device first launched in 2015, and the company's selection of bands offer a an...
apple watch series 6 blood oxygen monitoring 1

Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger

Tuesday October 6, 2026 6:09 am PDT by
Apple's $634 million patent loss to medical technology company Masimo has just gotten even bigger, after a federal judge ordered Apple to pay an additional $184 million in interest on what it owes (via Bloomberg Law). The ruling takes Apple's bill to around $818 million, but that doesn't include any post-judgment interest continuing to accrue until the judgment is paid. Judge James Selna ...
Latest Stories
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
1 hour ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
20 hours ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
20 hours ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
20 hours ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
21 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
23 hours ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
1 day ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
1 day ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
2 days ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
2 days ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
2 days ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
2 days ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
2 days ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
2 days ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
2 days ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
2 days ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
2 days ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
2 days ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
2 days ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
2 days ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
2 days ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
2 days ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
2 days ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
2 days ago
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
2 days ago
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
2 days ago
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
2 days ago
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
2 days ago
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
3 days ago

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors