# LabTimer

> Multi-functional count-up and count-down timer for labs, cooking, and workouts. (iPhone/iPad app by 0x0c.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/labtimer/id292202454 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [0x0c](https://appshunter.io/developer/292202457)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 174 App Store ratings · 118 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 1 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2008-09-30
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/labtimer/id292202454/reviews.md

## What is LabTimer?

LabTimer is a count-up and alarming count-down multi-timer.

***NEWS***
LabTimerPhD is now available.  It has all the same functionality as LabTimer.  If you like LabTimer, please consider picking up LabTimerPhD!  I'll use the suggestions on LabTimerPhD for future changes.  All updates will be applied to both applications.
***NEWS***

The look and feel of LabTimer is designed to emulate that of standard lab timers, providing quick access to count-down timers and repeat runs.  LabTimer is not just good for the lab, though - it is also convenient for cooking, medication timing, working out, and child timeouts.

LabTimer has the following features:
- Four timers, individually configurable as count-up or alarming count-down
- Large display and buttons
- Display in Hours : Minutes : Seconds (limit above 1000 hours)
- Customizable text labels for each timer
- Small icons describing the state of all timers
- Disables iPod sleep, keeping your timer running and visible
- Designed to satisfy the lab needs of my molecular biologist wife

Count-down timers each:
- Display the projected finish time
- Alarm for one minute
- After the alarm, display the time elapsed since finish in red
- Repeat the last count-down by:
-- pressing clear while the timer is paused
-- pressing start/stop twice after the timer has finished

The iPhone currently prevents background processes, so LabTimer cannot alarm if the application is not running.  However, the screen can be locked while the timers are running.  The alarm also plays over and does not interrupt any playing music.  While this will finally let you keep your noise-isolating headphones on during long incubations, please remember to experiment responsibly.

There are many timers and stopwatches on the App Store, but they did not fulfill my (or my wife's) needs.  We're now using LabTimer, and we hope you will too.

LabTimer is free and will remain free.  I've created LabTimerPhD, a pay app with identical features, if you'd like to contribute to future development.  I haven't seen anyone else doing this and it seems like an interesting way of handling donations.  :)

Please let me know what you think and how LabTimer can be improved, either via a review or the e-mail address on the website.

Thanks for looking!

## Key features

- Four configurable timers
- Count-up and count-down modes
- Large display and buttons
- Customizable text labels
- Repeat count-down functionality
- Disables iPod sleep

## What do users think of LabTimer?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Simple, clean, and intuitive user interface
- 🎯 Multiple timers (up to 16) running simultaneously
- ⏱️ Ability to count up and count down
- 🔄 Timers continue running in background/other apps
- 💾 Saves timer settings for future use
- 🎨 Color-coded timers for easy identification
- 🆓 Free with no ads or bloatware
- ⚡ Low battery consumption
- 🏷️ Customizable timer names/labels
- 📊 Shows elapsed time after timer expires
- 🔊 Reliable alarm functionality
- ⏰ No time limit on timer duration

**Cons**

- 🐛 Notifications not working properly on iPad
- 🐛 App crashes or won't open on some iOS versions
- 🐛 Alarm doesn't work when app is locked/in background
- 📱 No landscape/auto-rotate orientation support
- 🔊 Alarm sound too short and soft
- 🎛️ Limited alarm sound options
- 🖱️ Stop button placement causes accidental taps
- ⌨️ Time entry only by tapping (no keyboard input)
- ⏱️ No millisecond precision
- 🔔 Single notification tone for all timers
- 📺 Cannot view all timers simultaneously on one screen

**Commonly reported bugs**

- iPad notifications not displaying correctly
- App fails to open on iPhone X with iOS 14.4
- Alarm non-functional on iOS 5 in lock mode
- No audio output on iOS 9.x
- Timer stops when iPhone enters sleep mode (older versions)
- App incompatibility with newer iOS versions

**Most requested features**

- Landscape orientation support (especially for iPad)
- Keyboard/direct number input for faster time entry
- Multiple selectable alarm sounds/tones
- Ability to customize alarm volume independently
- Countdown voice announcements
- Screen lock display of timer countdown
- Millisecond/decimal second precision
- Different alarm sounds for different timers
- Visual alerts (screen flash) in addition to sound
- Ability to decrease time values (not just increase)
- Timer interaction/chaining (one timer starts another)
- Configurable alarm duration
- Days display option for very long timers
- All timers visible on single screen
- Ability to add notes to timers
- Push notifications when app is closed
- Recording custom alarm messages

## Recent user reviews (10 of 118)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/labtimer/id292202454/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great timer app

*2026-07-14, version 5.0*

This is the best timer I ever used. Great work, thank you

### 5/5 — Super useful, 超級好用的多倒數計時器

*2023-10-02, version 5.0*

Easy to use, get the job done. 易用、超級推薦。

### 4/5 — Notifications?

*2022-09-05, version 5.0*

Love the app, and I noticed recently notifications aren’t showing up right on iPad. I have the Settings set the same as I do on my iPhone where they do pop up as I would expect. Is there a bug here or am I making a mistake somewhere? Thanks! Best timer app ever, and I was looking forward to the added timers on the bigger screen!

### 5/5 — Best timer ever!

*2021-08-11, version 5.0*

I use it in school settings, and in my kitchen. I get to time more than one event. It is simple, and works flawlessly.  No need for bells and whistles. So happy to see it around, I feared it would vanish thru iOS updates, etc. and it is still here 👏🏼

### 1/5 — No longer function

*2021-02-23, version 5.0*

iPhone X @iOS 14.4 can’t open the app at all.

### 5/5 — Lab timer

*2021-01-24, version 5.0*

I really like this app and the fact it doesn’t have a limit you can time however long you want.it would be nice though if it could rotate when you turn the phone to the side the other thing that would be cool is if you could input how long you want using the keyboard.anyway love the app thanks.

### 5/5 — Love this app

*2020-08-30, version 5.0*

I love this lab timer. It is so useful to be able to switch quickly from one timer to the next. I actually use it in a lab.

### 5/5 — Almost perfect

*2020-01-23, version 5.0*

Except: the STOP button is placed too low at the bottom causing me accidentally hitting it when trying to flip the page. Also the bell is too short and soft and fails to alert me.

### 5/5 — Simple, no-bloat timer

*2019-01-09, version 5.0*

This is a great timer with a simple user interface and no ads, visual clutter, or bloat. I do wish it would handle landscape orientations.

### 5/5 — Nothing else like it.

*2018-01-01, version 5.0*

Fantastic and useful app. I’ve never found another app that works as well or has all the same features. Essential if you need to keep track of multiple countdowns. Thanks to the dev for updating so that it can live on!

## Frequently asked questions about LabTimer

### What does LabTimer do?

LabTimer is a versatile multi-timer application that functions as both a count-up timer and an alarming count-down timer. It is designed with a user-friendly interface that emulates standard lab timers, making it suitable for a wide range of applications beyond the lab, including cooking, workouts, and medication reminders.

### What are the key features of LabTimer?

LabTimer offers four individually configurable timers, which can be set as either count-up or alarming count-down. It features a large display and buttons for easy use, customizable text labels for each timer, and small icons to indicate timer states. The app also disables iPod sleep to ensure timers run continuously and can repeat the last count-down.

### Is LabTimer free to use?

Yes, LabTimer is completely free to use and will remain free. The developer has also created a paid version called LabTimerPhD with identical features, which users can purchase to contribute to future development.

### Can LabTimer run in the background?

Currently, the iPhone operating system prevents background processes from running reliably. Therefore, LabTimer cannot alarm if the application is not actively running. However, you can lock the screen while the timers are running, and the alarm will play over any music without interruption.

### Who is LabTimer designed for?

LabTimer is designed for anyone who needs precise and reliable timing. This includes scientists and researchers in laboratory settings, home cooks, fitness enthusiasts, individuals managing medication schedules, and parents using timers for children's activities.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.0 — 2017-11-07

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

Update to iOS 10 (works on 11 and wider device support) - thanks for using LabTimer!

### 4.0 — 2010-08-18

Add iPad support, background alerts, silence all by tapping time, timer names are more obviously editable, default empty timer names to Timer #, change alarm icon, support upside-down rotation, and higher resolution icons. Whew.

### 3.0 — 2009-03-29

Increment time by holding the buttons.

Also, if you like LabTimer and would like to contribute to further development, please try LabTimerPhD!

### 2.0 — 2009-02-26

No release notes.

### 1.0 — 2008-09-30

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 2026-08-26.*