# FLIP — Focus Timer — 2-minute rule timer for focus

> A simple, private focus timer based on the 2-minute rule. (iPhone/iPad app by Izhan Ansari.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flip-focus-timer/id6767826399 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Izhan Ansari](https://appshunter.io/developer/1800980817)
- Category: Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-05-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-17
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flip-focus-timer/id6767826399/reviews.md

## What is FLIP?

The hardest part of any task is starting. The 2-minute rule says: just commit to two minutes — then decide whether to keep going. Most of the time, once you've started, you'll keep working far longer.

FLIP is a single-screen timer built around that idea.

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HOW IT WORKS

• Tap once to start a 2-minute kickoff timer.
• When 2 minutes are up, flip your phone face-down to commit to a 20-minute deep-work block.
• When deep work ends, turn your phone sideways to take a 5-minute break.
• Hold anywhere to cancel — a segmented bar fills with synchronized haptics so the gesture is unmistakable.

That's it. No accounts, no settings, no menus.

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DESIGNED FOR FOCUS

• Single-screen interface with a retro-digital typeface and edge-to-edge color fill that grows with the timer
• Haptic feedback on every state change so you don't have to look at the screen
• Lock-screen and Dynamic Island Live Activity — keep the countdown visible without unlocking your phone
• A short chime when each phase ends so you can put the phone down and focus

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PRIVATE BY DESIGN

• 100% on-device. No accounts, no analytics, no third-party SDKs, no servers.
• No data collection. The privacy policy fits on one page.

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WHO IT'S FOR

• People who reach for their phone instead of starting a task
• Knowledge workers running Pomodoro-like sessions
• Students looking for a low-friction focus timer
• Anyone who wants the smallest possible app between them and beginning a task

Beat procrastination by promising yourself two minutes. Then flip the phone.

## Key features

- 2-minute kickoff timer
- Flip phone for deep work
- Sideways phone for breaks
- Single-screen interface
- Haptic feedback
- Lock-screen and Live Activity
- 100% on-device privacy

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flip-focus-timer/id6767826399/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Better than pomodoro

*2026-05-13*

I used this app to help me study for boards and I feel like it’s helped me study so much more efficiently than pomodoro! 

The 2 minutes allows me to get situated and plan out what I need to do. The 20 minute stretches are long enough to get a section done but not too long that I get fatigued.

I especially love the 5 minute breaks. When I get too long of a break I lose motivation on my main task but 5 minutes is perfect for me to doom scroll or do a small task around the house!

**Developer response:** Thanks for the kind words 🤍 I’m so glad to hear it’s helping you do life a little bit better! If there’s anything else you’d like to see, please reach out and let us know

## Frequently asked questions about FLIP

### How does FLIP help with procrastination?

FLIP uses the 2-minute rule, encouraging you to commit to just two minutes of a task. This often leads to continuing the task for much longer, overcoming the initial hurdle of starting.

### What are the different timer phases in FLIP?

FLIP starts with a 2-minute kickoff timer. After this, you flip your phone face-down for a 20-minute deep-work block, followed by a 5-minute break when you turn your phone sideways.

### Does FLIP have any settings or menus?

No, FLIP is designed with a single-screen interface and no accounts, settings, or menus. This minimalist approach ensures the smallest possible friction between you and starting your task.

### Is FLIP private and secure?

Yes, FLIP is 100% on-device, meaning it has no accounts, analytics, third-party SDKs, or servers. It collects no data, and its privacy policy is very concise.

### Can I see the timer without unlocking my phone?

Yes, FLIP supports lock-screen visibility and Dynamic Island Live Activity. This allows you to keep the countdown visible without needing to unlock your device.

### Does FLIP have ads?

No, FLIP does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free experience designed for uninterrupted focus.

### What devices does FLIP support?

FLIP is available on iPhone and iPad, indicated by its support for these devices.

### How often is FLIP updated?

FLIP was last updated on May 12, 2026, with version 1.0. This indicates it is a relatively new application.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.1 — 2026-08-11

Every way you hold the phone is now a timer you set yourself.

CUSTOM TIMERS
• Four timers instead of three — turned left and turned right are now
  separate slots, so all four orientations have their own timer.
• Any length from 5 seconds to 3 hours.
• Name each one whatever you like, up to 10 characters.
• Red or green, per timer.
• Set a slot to ASK and it asks how long every time you start it —
  and opens on the last length you picked.
• Everything lives behind EDIT TIMERS on the start screen, with RESET
  TO DEFAULTS to put it all back.

PICKING WHAT'S NEXT
• When a timer ends, all four are now laid out around the edges of the
  screen instead of a single suggested next step.
• Each one sits on the side you turn toward to reach it. Turn the
  phone that way and hold — it fills as you hold, so you can see it
  coming and change your mind.
• Or tap any of the four, including the one that just finished, to run
  it again.
• Your name and colour now show on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic
  Island while a timer runs.

FIXED
• Turning from one timer to another no longer starts the timer you
  passed through on the way.
• Hold to cancel no longer gives up silently when the phone shifts in
  your grip — most likely when the running timer wasn't the way you
  were holding it.
• The countdown digits no longer fade between seconds.
• The status bar no longer sits on top of a turned or upside-down
  screen.

BEGIN 2:00, WORK 20:00 and BREAK 5:00 are still exactly where they
were until you change them.

### 1.0 — 2026-05-12

No release notes.

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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 2026-08-17.*
