# Dawn Simulator

> Simulates sunrise for gentle wake-ups with customizable alarms and natural light. (iPhone/iPad app by Dieter Lutz.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawn-simulator/id459883446 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Dieter Lutz](https://appshunter.io/developer/459883449)
- Category: Lifestyle, Utilities
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 2.57/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 32 MB
- Languages: English, German
- Released: 2011-09-06
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawn-simulator/id459883446/reviews.md

## What is Dawn Simulator?

Tired after getting up? Particularly in autumn and winter you are not able to work quite efficiently? The nights are always too short? Difficulties in concentrating?

More than 30% of all people suffer from insomnia and do not feel rested after waking.

The Dawn Simulator app will allow a gentle awakening, close to nature, with your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad without spending hundreds of dollars for a special alarm clock.

Let your iPhone / iPad / iPod wake you up gently with soft natural light. The Dawn Simulator regulates the secreting of hormones like melatonin during the wake-up process - a natural process, which occurs also during awakening by sunrise. This allows for a gentle awakening, feeling rested and being optimal prepared for an active start to the day. This is how to get up the fun way!

Features: 

Alarm clock

- Wake up with increasing light intensity (solar spectrum) 
- Simply stop the alarm by swiping across the screen
- "Emergency alert": if you should not be fully awaken by the light, 5 different alarm tones are currently available for waking you up from your dreams (birds chirping, gong, zen sounds, seashore or drums). The time between the start of the light and the start of the emergency alarm (delay) is adjustable.
- Choose own sounds or songs from your iTunes library!
- It is possible to set different alarm times for the individual days of the week and or the weekend
- Clean user interface

Night View

- Display of the clock with dimmed LCD display with adjustable color 
- Operating in the horizontal and vertical position possible

## Key features

- Simulated sunrise wake-up
- Adjustable light intensity
- Customizable alarm tones
- Scheduled alarms for weekdays/weekends
- Night view clock display
- Horizontal and vertical orientation

## Recent user reviews (10 of 10)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawn-simulator/id459883446/reviews.md

### 5/5 — I love this app!

*2020-05-27, version 2.1.1*

It shines a nice, gradual light for 15 minutes before the alarm.  I have my iPhone on my bed side table facing me.  The light has me awake before the alarm. It does seem to be a gradual light as promised, so I set it 15 minutes before I want to get up.

### 1/5 — Waste of $

*2018-09-08*

Doesn’t work.

### 1/5 — Arnaque

*2017-01-24*

Une arnaque... n'a fonctionné qu'une seule fois et l'effet de simulation d'aube n'est pas efficace !

### 1/5 — Don't bother

*2016-12-24, version 1.4*

Didn't work consistently. Now my phone is saying the program will slow my processing because the developer needs to update.

### 2/5 — It stopped working

*2014-04-10*

I used the app four times and it stopped working after that.  You're supposed to slide to turn off the alarm, but after the 4th night, could not turn off the alarm, so I closed the app, but it remains open in the background.  Could not set up the alarm the next night.  Plus the night light is too bright, it actually keeps me awake!!

### 5/5 — Impressive Concept

*2014-03-04, version 1.4*

I have done a lot of research on light therapy and I'm waiting to get my Dawn Simulator in the mail. Until then I planned on using this app. Everything works as it should but I don't yet know if the light at its brightest will wake me up. In theory the gradual brightening wakes you up as naturally as the morning sun. Fingers crossed that the light wakes me up but if it doesn't an alarm of my choice sounds at the end of the brightening. Thanks for the insightful app!

### 1/5 — Too bright

*2013-12-12*

It really does leave a bright glow all night long that makes sleeping hard.  I kept waking up anticipating dawn.  Until that problem is fixed I wouldn't waste your money.

### 3/5 — Not quite as hoped

*2013-01-20*

I found this easy to use, with a clean interface. My only difficulty is having to leave the app 'open' which means that even in night view there is a low level glow from the screen. I imagine this would be no problem with an iPhone, but with my ipad I found it made it harder to go to sleep!

### 1/5 — Needs major improvement

*2012-01-24, version 1.4*

Don't waste your money or phone space on this app. Phone can't be in silent mode which means all other functions will threaten your good night's sleep. But the main problem is that the light is not bright enough and so you'll definitely need the other alarm function. Good idea but needs an overhaul.

### 4/5 — Good idea - we'll see how well it wakes me up!

*2011-10-24, version 1.2*

So far my biggest complaint is that while I'm setting or editing an alarm, if I try to change the "delay" time (default is for the sound to play 15 minutes after the brightness time), the app quits.
When that is corrected, I think I'll be quite pleased!

## Frequently asked questions about Dawn Simulator

### How does Dawn Simulator help with waking up?

Dawn Simulator uses your device's screen to gradually increase light intensity, mimicking a natural sunrise. This process helps regulate melatonin production, leading to a gentler and more rested awakening.

### What customization options are available for alarms in Dawn Simulator?

You can choose from five built-in alarm tones or use your own songs from your iTunes library. The delay between the light starting and the sound alarm is also adjustable.

### Can I set different alarms for weekdays and weekends with Dawn Simulator?

Yes, Dawn Simulator allows you to set distinct alarm times for individual days of the week, as well as for the weekend, providing flexibility for your schedule.

### What is the price of Dawn Simulator?

Dawn Simulator is a paid app, priced at $1.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements.

### Does Dawn Simulator have ads?

No, Dawn Simulator is ad-free. Users can enjoy the app's features without any interruptions from advertisements.

### What devices is Dawn Simulator compatible with?

Dawn Simulator is designed for Apple devices, including iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

### How often is Dawn Simulator updated?

The app was last updated on August 22, 2018, with version 2.1.1. Previous updates were released in 2011 and 2017.

### What is the age rating for Dawn Simulator?

Dawn Simulator has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1.1 — 2018-08-22

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

- Playing self-picked songs is now more reliable. Also a fallback was introduced (default sound Gong), if playing your song might fail anyway.

### 2.1.0 — 2018-07-11

- The Dawn Simulator now natively runs on the iPhone X
- The waking screen now also shows the clock and has support for red shades
- A hint is now shown, when trying to pick own songs with missing media library permission
- A bug was fixed, that sometimes caused self-picked songs not to be played

### 2.0.0 — 2017-09-10

- Completely rewritten and improved
- New Feature: Brightness automatically adjust in night view

### 1.4 — 2011-12-15

Bugfix: Preview of alarm sounds are now stopped when saving/canceling.

### 1.3 — 2011-11-11

iOS5-compatibility fixes.

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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 2026-06-10.*