# Ships Bell Clock & Duty Bells — user reviews > 68 indexed App Store user reviews of Ships Bell Clock & Duty Bells by Alchemic Apps LLC, rated 4.36/5 from 396 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ships-bell-clock-and-duty-bells/id597159650/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ships-bell-clock-and-duty-bells/id597159650.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 266 · 4★ 55 · 3★ 30 · 2★ 9 · 1★ 27 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (10 of 68) ### 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. ### 3/5 — Sometimes *2025-11-19, version 11.1* Its great WHEN it works. Sometimes it doesnt sound off ### 3/5 — Bells stop *2024-02-01, version 11.1* Please upgrade to make it so the bells won’t randomly stop. If I pay for an app, I expect it will always do what it’s supposed to do. ### 2/5 — Revised review. *2019-11-15, version 9.2* No bells to start. Restarted phone; no luck. But at 7:30AM the bells rang and have been flawless since. I am happy Now had app for a few weeks. It turns off often Just not reliable ### 3/5 — Where did it go? *2019-06-06, version 9.2* It’s a serviceable app, but when I went to reload it to my iPhone, it disappeared from the App Store :( ### 1/5 — Has to be reloaded *2018-11-11, version 9.2* So, why does it ring only 6 bells for last bell? I still can’t understand. Even tried to contact someone. I guess no answer is the answer. ### 5/5 — Fun, but can’t always rely on an accurate number of rings *2018-10-23, version 9.2* I’ve enjoyed this app, but it doesn’t always chime the correct number of bells. And for the last bell, it often rings 6 times instead of 8. Is there a reason for this or is it a glitch? ### 3/5 — Background App Refresh not working *2018-10-05, version 9.2* Great app but have to keep killing and restarting it to keep bells going even with background refresh enabled as pop up message says when it “winds down” and stops playing bells. Maybe no one mentioned this before? I’m on a 6S Plus. ### 1/5 — Very glitchy *2018-09-12, version 9.2* The app will just not except the parameters that you type in. Too many bells and whistle‘s, no pun intended. Performance is very erratic. I found it to be a waste of a dollar. Not the end of the world. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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. ### 1/5 — No Bells!! *2025-01-16, version 11.1* The bells don’t ring no matter what settings I try. ### 1/5 — Ships bell but no bells *2024-10-16, version 11.1* Worked fine at first then stopped making any sound, even in Settings. Deleted and reinstalled- same result. ### 1/5 — What were you thinking? *2024-02-10, version 11.1* This app only works when it feels like it; the help web page is empty; the controls for the bells are substandard; error messages are cryptic, unintelligible, and scroll off the screen. What is ‘wind the clock’ supposed to mean? It’s obvious that no one is supporting the app. I’m not paying a subscription for this unseaworthy nonsense! Give me back my money. ### 1/5 — I can’t get it to work *2024-01-15, version 11.1* Nice concept but I cannot activate it and there are no instructions on how to make it work. Deleted and reinstalled twice with no difference. ### 1/5 — Ridiculously Overpriced *2023-05-28, version 10.1* Seriously you charge monthly for an app that barely works? Not worth the 2 bucks a month. ### 1/5 — NOTHING WORKS in the APP now. *2023-05-18, version 10.1* Victim of greed. ### 1/5 — Waste of time and money *2019-01-24, version 9.2* Followed directions exactly. Removed and reinstalled several times. All settings as directed. No bells. Waste of money. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work with current iOS *2018-12-29, version 9.2* Works on iPad. Does NOT work on iPhone with current iOS 12.1.1. Request for assistance from developer unanswered. Very dissatisfied and disappointed. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 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 ### 5/5 — Does what it should *2025-04-27, version 11.1* As a Mariner I miss the ships bells and enjoy this app as it not only reminds me of time in service it is a good way to be aware of the time as it passes during the day. I also like the “winding” of the clock. You have to open the app occasionally to keep it running. I find this to be a nice touch. ### 5/5 — Love it!! *2025-01-22, version 11.1* Couldn’t recommend this more highly. Especially the realistic recording. Lovely way to mark the passing of time. ### 5/5 — Ships *2024-05-19, version 11.1* Works well,but the bugles calls are the short version or gets cut off for some reason. Would be even better if retreat was played at sundown like it should. Still getting the short version of the bugle calls. I have the paid version so I should be getting the full version. ### 5/5 — Ships *2024-05-01* Works well,but the bugles calls are the short version or gets cut off for some reason. **Developer response:** Version 7.1 added an option in Settings to show 16:00 - 20:00 as a single watch. ### 5/5 — Neurodivergent friendly *2024-01-27, version 11.1* I tend to get distracted fairly easily. The ships bells are a handy reminder of the passage of time and help me refocus if I’ve drifted off-task. Being able to keep track of time without having to pull out my phone to check the clock also limits the possibility of further distractions. Very helpful. --- *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.*