# Countdown to an Event

> Event countdown timer with custom backgrounds, updated in real-time. (iPhone/iPad app by Philip Bevan.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-to-an-event/id363735527 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Philip Bevan](https://appshunter.io/developer/363735530)
- Category: Utilities, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 44 App Store ratings · 324 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 6 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-03-27
- Data updated: 2026-08-04
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-to-an-event/id363735527/reviews.md

## What is Countdown to an Event?

This application displays a countdown to an event in days, hours, minutes and seconds.
On entry of the Event Title, Date & Time the main screen displays the Event Title and a countdown updated every second.

A background picture for the Event may be chosen from the device picture roll or added from the Camera. Each event can have it's own Picture.

## Key features

- Real-time countdown
- Event title, date, and time entry
- Customizable background images
- Image selection from device or camera
- Second-by-second updates

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Features | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Countdown to an Event?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 💻 Customizable backgrounds
- ⏱️ Detailed countdown options
- 📆 Tracks multiple events
- 🆓 Free app

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes and glitches
- 🕰️ Inaccurate countdown times
- 📱 Compatibility issues with updates
- 🔍 Confusing UI/UX

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Events randomly deleted after updates
- Countdown time off by hours
- Unable to delete events
- Crashes on startup

**Most requested features**

- Ability to disable weekends in countdown
- Push notifications for upcoming events
- Option to display years in countdown
- Sync across devices

## Recent user reviews (10 of 324)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-to-an-event/id363735527/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Very sad….

*2026-04-30, version 9.8*

Updating to IOS 26.4.2 wiped all the events that I have created and kept for the past 15 years.

### 3/5 — Not working

*2026-04-09*

Looses all my countdowns!

### 1/5 — Date only set this year

*2025-08-02, version 9.5*

The bug with the day setting. Cant edit the past years. Deleted.

### 4/5 — Taking off Weekends

*2025-01-28*

It would be nice to have the option to show week days only for things like days till a certain event, like a vacation, to show how many days you actually have to work.

### 5/5 — Still the BEST for iPad OS!

*2024-07-22*

Still the best countdown timer for iPad OS.

**Developer response:** Tapping on screen once should hide/display the toolbar.
As far as I can tell the event title & time remaining should only ever be hidden when positioning the Event backdrop picture.

### 4/5 — Does what it says

*2023-08-30, version 9.5*

Great and been using for many years - 5 star esp new widget for fronts screen.

### 5/5 — Counting down

*2023-03-15*

I have used it several times to count down to important events. I like the variety of ways to countdown, days or months, weeks, hours, etc. once the events passes it then counts time since the event. You can upload the background of your choice. Simple and it works.

### 1/5 — Glitchy

*2022-09-03, version 9.3*

The app will delete events on you randomly. I was using the app to not only count down future events but keep track of time from events passed. All old event were deleted with last update. Lame glitch. Very disappointed.

### 5/5 — Still Used A Lot

*2022-08-22*

I upgraded my phone but could not restore the purchase. The owner worked with me but could not be resolved. Which is ok, it’s reasonably priced at 99¢ I purchased it again. What a huge difference! Not only do you get the extra options but the images are crystal clear. It is definitely worth the upgrade!

### 1/5 — Where are the years?

*2022-06-08, version 9.2*

Used it for several years successfully. Opened it again recently after not looking at it for ages and the years have disappeared from past events. I used it for my grandchildrens ages and it’s suddenly not working.

## Frequently asked questions about Countdown to an Event

### What does this app do?

This application provides a real-time countdown to any event you specify. You can enter the event's title, date, and time, and it will display the remaining time in days, hours, minutes, and seconds, updating every second.

### Can I customize the look of my countdowns?

Yes, you can personalize each event's countdown with a background picture. You have the option to choose an image from your device's picture roll or capture a new one using your camera.

### Is this app free to use?

The application is free to download and use, but it does offer in-app purchases and may display advertisements.

### What kind of events can I track?

You can track any type of event, such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, project deadlines, or any other date and time you wish to count down to.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 10.0 — 2026-07-27

What's New in Version 10.0

Improved the iPad experience.
The event list and event details screens have been redesigned to work better side by side, with cleaner controls and a more modern layout.
The details screen has cleaner grouped controls.

Improved text readability over photos.
Countdown text now uses an outline effect for better contrast against busy backgrounds.

Improved text colour customisation.
Foreground and outline colours are easier to understand and preview.

Updated the Date picker to use a native modern calendar presentation.
On iPad it appears as a popover, while iPhone uses a compact sheet.

Updated the Time picker so the Time Zone list is hidden by default.
A Time Zone button now reveals the search/table only when needed.

Improved support for iOS 26/27 layout changes.

Fixed several layout issues on iPad and Mac, including overlapping popovers, selected event highlighting, and locked switch controls.

Added iCloud backups for your event list.
Countdown can now automatically keep recent backups of your events, helping protect your event list if the app is deleted, a device is lost, or data needs to be restored.

Added Restore from Backup.
You can browse available backups, check what is inside them, search for event names, and restore your event list when needed.

Added backup device names.
Backups can now show a custom device name, making it easier to tell which iPhone, iPad, or Mac created each backup.

Added new backup options for premium users.
Premium users can manually create a backup and export a backup for safekeeping or transfer.

Improved Settings and Purchase screens on iPad.
These now open in a clearer pop-up style view.

Improved countdown text readability.
Countdown text is easier to read over photos and busy backgrounds.

Improved widget appearance.
Widget photos are clearer, and widget text is easier to read.

Improved text colour customisation.
Choosing foreground and outline colours is now clearer and easier to preview.

Improved support for iPad, iPhone, and Mac layouts.
Several display issues have been fixed, especially on larger screens and in Dark Mode.

### 9.9 — 2026-05-30

Chnges since version 9.8.1

New iPad split-screen layout for Events: view your event list on the left and event details on the right for a more desktop-style editing experience.

Improved iPad interface polish, including better event detail styling and cleaner full-width list separators.

Fixed an iPad layout issue where In-App Purchase titles and prices could overlap.

Improved syncing reliability after changes introduced by newer iOS updates.

Fixed Today Widget thumbnails for imported Astronomy and Holiday events.

Updated app security settings and general compatibility improvements.

Added an option to keep the screen awake while the app is in use.

### 9.8 — 2026-04-20

Update widget text to use the Event Colors for Future & Past Events.

Update Text Colors view for iOS 26.

Ensure for Imported Events of Type Astronomy & Holiday the thumbnail is shown correctly in the Today Widget.

Resolve syncing failure caused by iOS Updates.

### 9.7 — 2026-02-07

Add the option to have a gradient when a solid background is selected for an event.

Inherit iOS 26 behaviours (Liquid Glass look & feel)

### 9.6 — 2025-08-05

Bug Fix - Allow Airdropped events to be imported under iOS 18
Bug Fix - Better error description if exporting to calendar fails
Remove Facebook as airdrop target
Increase size of Backgrop thumbnail used in the Countdown Widget

## Apps similar to Countdown to an Event

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
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| [Countdown](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown/id1403367428) | 4.8 (180,286) | Free | Utilities |
| [Countdown@](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown/id1456997268) | 4.7 (37,851) | Free | Utilities |
| [Countdown Widget & Counter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-and-counter/id1533996161) | 4.6 (2,366) | Free | Utilities |
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| [Countdown Buddy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-buddy/id1534850579) | 4.6 (25,173) | Free | Utilities |
| [Countdown Widget Timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-timer/id1589042250) | 4.6 (476) | Free | Utilities |

## More apps by Philip Bevan

- [Digital Chess Clock](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-chess-clock/id386260074)

All apps by Philip Bevan: https://appshunter.io/developer/363735530

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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 2026-08-04.*