# Ships Bell Clock & Duty Bells — Authentic Ships Watch Bells

> Authentic ship's bell chimes for timekeeping and ambiance. (iPhone/iPad app by Alchemic Apps LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ships-bell-clock-and-duty-bells/id597159650 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Alchemic Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1681326123)
- Category: Utilities, Entertainment
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.36/5 from 396 App Store ratings · 68 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 14 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2013-09-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ships-bell-clock-and-duty-bells/id597159650/reviews.md

## What is Ships Bell Clock & Duty Bells?

Mark the passage of time with the authentic chime of a ship's bell. Sailors have long signaled the beginning and end of duty watches by striking bells in a pattern that cycles in four hour intervals. Excellent for use as a display or background chiming clock on all of your compatible iOS devices.

With location access enabled, mute bells at your location and automatically unmute when you leave. 
Silence bells automatically for selected watches. 
Enable Reveille, Retreat, and Taps sounds to play at your preferred time.
_____________________________
Feedback: shipsbell@alchemicapps.com
Privacy Policy: https://www.shipsbellclock.com/privacy
Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Authentic ship's bell chimes
- Cycles in four-hour intervals
- Display or background chiming clock
- Location-based bell muting
- Automatic muting for selected watches
- Reveille, Retreat, and Taps sounds

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade | $2.99 | per month |
| Upgrade | $1.99 | per month |
| Upgrade | $0.99 | per month |
| Upgrade | $3.99 | per 6 months |


## What do users think of Ships Bell Clock & Duty Bells?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🔔 Authentic ship's bell sounds and recordings
- ⏰ Effective time awareness and tracking tool
- 👨‍✈️ Nostalgic appeal for former sailors and navy personnel
- 🎯 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 📱 Works on multiple Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch)
- 💰 Affordable pricing (£1-2 per month)
- 🧠 Helpful for neurodivergent users with time management
- 🔄 Regular app updates and active developer engagement

**Cons**

- 🐛 Bells frequently fail to ring or stop unexpectedly
- 🔊 Audio cuts off before bell finishes sounding
- 📵 Unreliable background functionality despite settings
- ⚠️ Requires frequent 'winding' to keep app active
- ❌ Help documentation missing or non-functional
- 🔧 Settings reset or toggle automatically without user control
- 📞 No developer support or contact information
- ⏱️ Incorrect bell counts for certain watch periods
- 🔄 Inconsistent performance across iOS versions
- 🤔 Confusing 'wind the clock' mechanic

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Bells don't ring despite correct settings configuration
- Audio recording cuts off before completion
- App stops working after silencing notifications
- Background app refresh fails to maintain functionality
- Incompatibility with certain iOS versions (iOS 12.1.1 reported)
- Last bell rings 6 times instead of 8
- Bugle calls play shortened version or get cut off
- Settings don't persist after app restart
- App crashes or becomes unresponsive
- Notifications fail to trigger at scheduled times
- Daylight Saving Time not automatically adjusted
- Help link non-functional or leads to empty page

**Most requested features**

- Full bell reverb without truncation of audio
- Proper bell counts for dog watches (4 bells instead of 8)
- Daylight Saving Time auto-adjustment
- Retreat bugle call at sundown
- Volume control within app
- Lower frequency bell tone option for hearing-impaired users
- Ability to choose sound output (phone vs Apple Watch)
- Working ship's clock display instead of anchor icon
- Configurable chime intervals
- Clear on/off button for easy control
- Continuous background operation without manual winding

## Recent user reviews (10 of 68)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ships-bell-clock-and-duty-bells/id597159650/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Best bell 🔔 clock app

*2026-05-13, version 12.4*

I wrote a review saying how much I like the app just reviewing some things I see your updating the app suggestions I have is make the bells I little louder an maybe a ships bell clock instead of the anchor ⚓️ please otherwise great app 👍👍👍👍👍

### 5/5 — I love it

*2026-05-05, version 12.3*

I’ve had some form of this app for over 10 years. I think I got it before I moved to Texas and that was 10 years ago. Sometimes I don’t have it running but every time I remember, I turn it back on sometimes I think the bells get behind, but then they catch up. And the price isn’t bad either. I hope this app is available for a very long time.

### 5/5 — Anchor’s Away

*2026-05-05, version 12.3*

Great App that provides navy times awareness.

### 2/5 — Attention To Detail?

*2026-03-06, version 12.3*

Since I pay for this app — even though it’s only £1-per-month — I expect the recording of the bell to NOT cut off before it’s finished sounding. Lamentable implementation. App deletion to follow.

### 2/5 — Bells don’t ring

*2026-02-28, version 12.3*

Bells never ring. App help link doesn’t do anything. I purchased the app cause I liked the quiet times option. Now I feel like I got ripped off.

### 5/5 — Best ships 🛳️ bell clock

*2026-02-27*

Very nice ships duty bells 🔔 rings when it should works well happy at seeing frequent updates maybe change the anchor ⚓️ too a ships bell clock other than that love the app 👍👍👍👍👍

### 5/5 — Ships 🛳️ Bells

*2026-01-28*

I’m enjoying it again after awhile bells are sounding when they should sound of bells 🔔 ok not too loud anchor ⚓️ clock ok but how about a ships bell clock that would be NICE an update the app so bells stay ringing but love the app

### 3/5 — Sometimes

*2025-11-19, version 11.1*

Its great WHEN it works. Sometimes it doesnt sound off

### 1/5 — Ship’s Bell app

*2025-10-18, version 11.1*

Bells sound infrequently. Can’t rely on its entertainment value. Must reset Notifications daily. Sounds great when it wants to work. Going back to my Timex.

### 1/5 — Walk the Plank!

*2025-06-19, version 11.1*

Customers are expected to ‘open the app’ regularly to keep the bells going. Options like ‘quieter bells’ toggle on automatically and cannot be toggled off. There’s no way to get support. I am very disappointed. This app can sleep with the fishes in Davy Jones’ locker.

## Frequently asked questions about Ships Bell Clock & Duty Bells

### What does the Ships Bell Clock & Duty Bells app do?

This app simulates the authentic chime patterns of ship's bells, traditionally used by sailors to mark the passage of time and the beginning/end of duty watches. It can function as a decorative clock with background chiming and offers smart features like location-based muting.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include authentic ship's bell chimes that cycle in four-hour intervals, the ability to use it as a display or background chiming clock, location-based muting, automatic muting for selected watches, and the option to enable Reveille, Retreat, and Taps sounds at preferred times.

### Is this app free to download and use?

The app is free to download and use, offering core functionality. It also includes in-app purchases, which may unlock additional features or customization options for users who wish to enhance their experience.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is designed for compatible iOS devices. Users can enjoy its authentic ship's bell chimes and features on their iPhones, iPads, or other Apple devices that support the application.

### How can I use this app for common use cases?

This app is ideal for creating a unique ambient soundscape, serving as a decorative nautical-themed clock, or for those who appreciate maritime traditions. It can also be used to automatically silence bells when you are at a specific location or during certain times.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 12.4 — 2026-05-08

Improved compatibility when running native on Mac Silicon.
Improvements to mute here on activation and to use minimal location access.
Fixes bells around DST changes and other time changes, such as when traveling

### 12.3 — 2026-02-26

Improvements to use minimal location access for the mute here feature including support for using approximate location.
Fixes bells around DST changes and other time changes, such as when traveling

### 12.2 — 2026-02-20

Improvements to use minimal location access possible for the mute here feature including support for using only the  approximate location

### 12.1 — 2026-02-11

Improvements to Mute Here feature. Improvements to audio preview playback of bugles.

### 12 — 2026-01-29

Internal changes for compatibility and reliability

## More apps by Alchemic Apps LLC

- [Private Pics (try then buy)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pics-try-then-buy/id308884615)
- [All Day Voice & Audio Recorder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/all-day-voice-and-audio-recorder/id6447448878)
- [NOAA Local Weather Radio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noaa-local-weather-radio/id6526463105)

All apps by Alchemic Apps LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1681326123

## Related topics

[ships bells](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ships-bells) · [bells marine](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bells-marine) · [ship bell sounds](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ship-bell-sounds)

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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.*