# Big Ben

> Big Ben clock app with customizable display and hourly chimes. (iPhone/iPad app by Ettore Software Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-ben/id301046876 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ettore Software Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/289507331)
- Category: Entertainment, Travel
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 38 App Store ratings · 147 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 130 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-01-03
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-ben/id301046876/reviews.md

## What is Big Ben?

During 2009, the UK Parliament celebrated the 150th anniversary of its world famous Clock Tower, Great Clock and Great Bell.

The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. 1859 was the beginning for all three elements when the Clock Tower was completed, the Great Clock started on 31 May and the Great Bell’s chimes were heard for the first time on 11 July.

Have your iPhone (or iPod Touch) display the time of day in style.

Options include:

adding a digital clock display
showing a seconds hand 
having it make a tick-tock sound
having it chime every quarter of an hour and toll on the hour (the chiming and tolling sounds will play even when the app is not open, so long as your device is not muted and you allow notifications in the General Settings for Big Ben)

Pointless? Maybe. Decorative? Certainly. 

NB Sounds will only play through earphones on 1st gen iPod Touch.

Thanks to all who left comments and suggestions for improvement. In particular to Dave, whose persistence finally motivated us to release this new version.

## Key features

- Digital clock display
- Seconds hand option
- Tick-tock sound
- Quarter-hour chimes
- Hourly tolling
- Background notifications

## What do users think of Big Ben?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎵 Authentic Big Ben chimes and sounds
- 💰 Affordable price point (99p)
- ⏰ Accurate time display with working clock
- 🔊 High-quality audio reproduction
- 📱 Works in background (when functioning)
- ♿ Accessible with VoiceOver support
- 🎨 Nice visual representation of Big Ben
- ⭐ Reliable chiming functionality (when working)

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes on various iOS versions
- 📵 Doesn't work when phone is locked/in background
- 🔊 Volume control issues - too quiet or too loud
- ⚙️ Minute hand doesn't move smoothly
- 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🎵 Chimes continue even during phone calls
- 🔔 Quarter chimes cannot be disabled individually
- 🎬 Limited/outdated background images
- 🔋 Requires app to be in foreground to function properly

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- Not compatible with iOS 15, iOS 17, iOS 12
- Doesn't chime when phone is locked or in background
- No sound output despite notifications enabled
- App won't launch on iPhone 15.3.1
- Crashes on iPhone 12 mini
- VoiceOver notifications interfering with chimes
- Hourly chime not functioning on iOS 11.2.6
- Chimes stop working after app update
- Tick-tock sounds out of sync with second hand
- Paid version requires repurchase and doesn't work

**Most requested features**

- Night mode/silent hours scheduling (9pm-5am)
- Adjustable volume control within app
- Smooth minute hand animation
- Hourly-only chime option (disable quarter chimes)
- Background chimes while phone is locked
- Chimes on half-hour intervals
- Dynamic backgrounds based on time of day/weather
- Updated Big Ben chimes post-renovation
- Customizable lock screen display
- iPad/universal app version
- Weather integration
- Multiple background images/locations
- Chimes on watch/wearables
- Alarm functionality
- Tick-tock sounds in sync with second hand
- Floodlit Big Ben for nighttime display
- GPS-based daylight/sunset lighting
- Screen saver functionality
- Quieter/softer tick-tock option
- Delay between quarter and hour chimes

## Recent user reviews (10 of 147)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-ben/id301046876/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Runs Chimes in my Backyard

*2026-05-22, version 2.1.3*

I’ve had this app for a long time. I recently installed a post clock in my backyard, plugged in an old iPhone 7 to speakers, and now I have Big Ben in the neighborhood. Surprisingly, neighbors love it!

### 5/5 — Great for hands free work

*2026-02-26, version 2.1.3*

By some margin the best 99p I have spent in ages.

### 4/5 — Great but not perfect

*2026-02-20, version 2.1.3*

The quarter bells on the hour should start a little earlier, maybe at xx:xx:37, to leave a longer gap. Not so bothered about the app interface itself, but minute hand should be moving fluidly like any clock. This would more capture the essence of Big Ben, but otherwise cool to have a striking clock app.

### 4/5 — Love the bongs

*2026-01-31, version 2.1.3*

Is there a way to have the chimes continue to bong when the phone is locked? Also would love to have chimes on my watch!

### 5/5 — Big Ben night

*2025-09-12, version 2.1.3*

Big Ben night

### 1/5 — App truffa

*2025-07-07, version 2.1.3*

Manco si apre. Don’t buy it

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2025-04-28, version 2.1.3*

I’ve downloaded it three times and each time the app opens and then crashes.

### 1/5 — Ne fonctionne pas

*2025-04-22*

J’ai payé 1 euros pour une application qui ne s’ouvre même pas 😡

**Developer response:** Bonjour, merci pour votre avis. Nous sommes désolés d'apprendre que l'application ne s'ouvre pas sur votre appareil — nous aimerions comprendre ce qui se passe, car nous comptons des milliers d'utilisateurs satisfaits. Nous vous demandons courtoisement de nous contacter à support@ettoresoftware.store en joignant un éventuel rapport de plantage, afin de pouvoir vous aider à résoudre le problème directement. Nous sommes certains de trouver une solution !

### 5/5 — Big Ben

*2025-04-02, version 2.1.3*

Minute hands not moving gradually, can you make it light up to reflect current daylight and sunset times depending on location gps settings.hands not moving, please make it light up according to sunset and daylight times to reflect current location to where I am in the uk etc. so when it asks for location settings for the app, I can tell it to use my location so it will do sunset and sunrise times depending on what day it is and also reflect depending on it being summer, autumn, winter, spring.

### 4/5 — Volume Suggestion

*2025-03-29, version 2.1.3*

The app does what it says it would do. It would be nice, however, if the chime volume was higher. It’s still too quiet even at max volume.

## Frequently asked questions about Big Ben

### What does the Big Ben app do?

This app displays the time on your iPhone or iPod Touch with a Big Ben-themed interface. It offers customizable options like a digital display, a seconds hand, and authentic tick-tock sounds. You can also set it to chime every quarter hour and toll on the hour.

### Can the chimes play when the app is closed?

Yes, the chiming and tolling sounds will play even when the app is not open, provided your device is not muted and you have allowed notifications for Big Ben in your device's General Settings.

### Is this app free to download?

Yes, the application is available for free download. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is designed for iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Note that sounds will only play through earphones on the 1st generation iPod Touch.

### What are the main features of the Big Ben app?

Key features include a customizable clock display with options for a digital clock and a seconds hand. It also offers a tick-tock sound effect, and the ability to hear chimes every quarter hour and toll on the hour, with background notification support.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.3 — 2021-12-17

Fixes crash reported by users.

### 2.1.2 — 2021-11-25

Restores background chiming, which was reported missing on some devices running the latest system.

### 2.1.1 — 2021-09-20

Updated notification code for compatibility with latest OS.

### 2.1 — 2015-10-11

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

• Now works with iOS 9, while still supporting versions 7 and 8.
• Supports all four iPhone screen sizes: 4, 5, 6 and 6 plus.
• Supports 3D Touch home screen shortcuts on iPhone 6s and 6s plus to quickly toggle digital clock and chimes on/off.
• Improved support for VoiceOver accessibility.
• The movement of the minutes hand is now gradual.
No full screen iPad support yet, but it will come at a later date.

### 2.0 — 2011-04-22

new high quality Big Ben art
day photo from 7am, night from 8pm
new high quality sounds
now chimes the Westminster Quarters, even when the app is not running (can be turned on/off in the options)

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## More apps by Ettore Software Ltd.

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All apps by Ettore Software Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/289507331

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*