# Solar Eclipse Timer — user reviews > 158 indexed App Store user reviews of Solar Eclipse Timer by Foxwood Astronomy, LLC., rated 3.80/5 from 560 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-eclipse-timer/id1203105865/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-eclipse-timer/id1203105865.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 354 · 4★ 27 · 3★ 24 · 2★ 38 · 1★ 117 ## What do users think of Solar Eclipse Timer? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Accurate timing and announcements - 👍 Enhanced eclipse viewing experience - 🎉 Worked flawlessly for 2017 and 2024 eclipses - 💡 Helpful for photographers and non-photographers - 🔊 Useful audio cues and prompts **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches - 🔍 Confusing or cluttered user interface - 🔋 Audio prompts not working in some cases - 🗺️ Inaccurate location detection or totality information **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashing when loading timing data - Notifications not working when camera is in use - Incorrect contact times displayed for some locations **Most requested features** - Customizable reminders or timers - Automatic time zone and location updates - Lunar eclipse support - Improved onboarding and tutorial - Countdown timer with graphical depiction ## Newest reviews (15 of 158) ### 4/5 — Great app, but… *2025-04-08, version 4.0.31* I love the app!! But for a 2024 Eclipse… the app should NOT have woken up today in 2025 with April 8 2024 alerts!! ### 4/5 — Used for 2017 & 2024 US total solar eclipses *2024-05-02, version 4.0.31* I used this app for both the 2017 and 2024 US total solar eclipses. It was helpful for the 2017 eclipse as I did not have eclipse glasses. Using location tracking, the timing of the app was perfect for the start of both total solar eclipses. However, both times it was late for the end of the total solar eclipse. This is dangerous for anyone totally trusting the app who may not be aware that they need to look away or put their eclipse glasses back on as the total solar eclipse is ending and going on to partial solar eclipse. This is the only flaw in the app that I have found. ### 2/5 — Did not work for me *2024-04-28, version 4.0.31* Not sure why but the timing was way off for my location. I thought I set it up correctly and allowed location tracking like I was directed to. Maybe there was more I needed to do. If so seems like it would be more straightforward. Glad I only spent $1.99 on it because I didn’t get anything from it. I selected the 2024 eclipse but the timed announcements were way off. ### 5/5 — Fabulous *2024-04-15, version 4.0.31* This app dramatically increased the enjoyment of the 2024 total eclipse. Both my partner and I were impressed. I also used it to time actions photographically. Absolutely first rate. ### 3/5 — 2024 Version Needs Improvement *2024-04-14, version 4.0.31* I hate to give a poor review since the care and effort put into this app is apparent. But despite following the instructions and doing the tests, the app had many glitches during the event. I learned a great deal from the practice video and accompanying book. However, I would have been better off with a simple alarm and timer. Hopefully the developer will make improvements for the next eclipse. ### 4/5 — Worked both in 2017 & 2024: here’s my request *2024-04-14, version 4.0.31* Please add commentary for the reversal after totality. Thank you for an amazing experience. UPDATE: Thank you for responding. I will gladly pay for the work you’ve put in. You make learning science cool and engaging. The fact you also have an APP is astounding, and it is accurate to the second. ### 5/5 — Flawless. *2024-04-14* This app, simply put, changed the eclipse for not just me, but everyone around us. Nobody knew what times things were going to happen and nobody knew about the things like shadow bands and Purkinje effect. But because of this app, the voice prompts helped everyone and it was just amazing. Thank you for making this app and thank you for letting Destin plug it for you. Update- Everyone, almost all of these negative reviews are from people who didn’t bother getting to know the app first. Honesty, that’s on them. This is a once in a lifetime experience for most of us. So many people planned everything so perfectly. Why would you NOT poke around the app you plan to use to guide you through before the moment of truth? I had a hiccup with the app, but it was my own fault. Luckily, I fixed it. The app worked perfectly. And this “hidden paywall” thing is annoying me, too. People, it’s $2. TWO DOLLARS. If that bothers you so much, again, for a once in a lifetime experience, then that’s on you. The developed of this app invested so much time, money, and effort into making this app on top of his already very busy schedule and people just whine about it. The app will function perfectly if YOU take the time to learn how to use it. **Developer response:** Thank you for the 5-stars and your nice comment. I am so glad you took a small amount of time needed to learn how to use the app. It's not that difficult. I also appreciate that you saw the value in the $1.99 cost to help you enjoy this great experience. Thanks again for your support. ### 4/5 — Timing was spot on! *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* Timing was spot on for our eclipse viewing on April 8. Only issue was it didn’t play well with my Bluetooth speaker. The audio tests always played properly, but it seemed like when the app was closed it could only play on the device. Overall a great sidekick to an amazing experience. ### 3/5 — More cues would be great *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* I wished the verbal cues for: take off your solar filter now, look up for the stars, remove your glasses, etc. ### 5/5 — Not Accurate *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* Update. Thank for the clarification! I’ve edited my review. The app says I am in the path of totality! I’m in South Carolina!! ### 5/5 — Worked great during the eclipse. *2024-04-13* When I set it up on Monday all seemed fine. As the eclipse approached I started to get notifications. These notifications were spot on throughout the eclipse. This made it simple to take the photos I wanted. If I am lucky enough to be in the path of the 2026 eclipse I will use this app again. Thanks for making it available. Good tutorial, like the audio testing, easy to setup, displays time for the local time zone. What worries me is the eclipse is tomorrow, but I am getting notices like the eclipse is today. I hope it will work properly tomorrow. If it works like expected, I will give the app 5 stars. **Developer response:** You missed the instruction in a couple of places in the app that says when you are testing, and then you want to stop testing, you need to tap the "Stop" word in the top right banner of the app. That clears all pending announcements. ### 5/5 — Worked like a CHARM for April 8, 2024 totality!🎉👍 *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* If you read & follow the directions on the day BEFORE the eclipse (so that you’re not in some wild panic), & you do all the recommended testing, you will NOT be disappointed in this tool. SO VERY glad that we found this app thru the SmarterEveryDay YouTube video. We fully enjoyed our total eclipse viewing in Mena, AR for the full 4 minutes & 6 seconds of life-changing wonderment, because we knew we could trust the app’s countdowns in and out of totality, and protect our eyeballs.👀 😮 This timer helped to enhance this amazing event. The next North American total eclipse in 2044 is too far away… Trying to figure out how we can make it to Spain for their August 12, 2026 celestial celebration. ☀️😎 Thank you for all the effort & great details to savor incredible totality! ### 2/5 — Followed the directions, but no voice or alerts *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* I saw this app on a SmarterEveryDay video and purchased for viewing the 2024 total eclipse in Cleveland. I appreciate that it seems to have worked well for some people, but it did not function at all for me on the day. I don’t mind having contributed a couple bucks to science education, but this was pretty disappointing. ### 2/5 — Faulty app *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* Entered my coordinates (yes they were correct) and the app told me I was out of totality when I was inside (2 1/2 minutes) so I didn’t use it. Looked interesting but needs work I suppose ### 2/5 — Didn’t work *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* Bought the 2024 eclipse add-on and it just didn’t work. The app would close when clicking Load times or whatever. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Loser app out for profit *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* ORIG POST: There are somethings people should not try to profit from. Bunch of greedy losers. UPDATE 13/4/2024: I was happy to hear from the developer that so many found the app useful and were willing to jump through hoops to use it. (a NINE minute tutorial, really?) Its probably an excellent app, IF you wanted to pay for it and spend the time to set it up. I did not and thought the developers were NOT in it for the public good and education, but for their own profit. I deleted the app immediately and found there were other excellent apps that provided the same if not more information. They were easy to set up and use, with no laborious tutorial or cost. There is so much to be said for philanthropy. It was a once in a lifetime event, and I still feel the actions of the developer (then and since) were not in keeping with the momentous grandeur of the event. ### 1/5 — Smarter every day *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* The guy used the words “free” when in reality it’s not he used a honest and huge platform Like smarter every day to get downloads (edit: smarter every day description now says it has micro transactions problem solved and smarter every day doesn’t get anything for it) my bad ### 1/5 — Errors *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* It is telling me that Sandusky is not in the path of totality. Waste of time. *Update- developer left a snarky message about how I should have paid for it. Cool how he still offered a useless, out of date version that scraped my data anyhow.* ### 1/5 — Info wrong for 4/8/24 eclipse *2024-04-13* Well-intended, but needs a redesign for use ability in low-data environments (a necessity in this specific intended use). App said Sandusky wasn’t in totality, whether using gps or manual input. Glad I wasn’t distracted trying to use during critical moments - would have had the opposite of intended effect if I had used it. Meh. EDIT: The developer sent me a personal response to this review, suggesting that I did not follow the “simple instruction(s)”. Not only did I follow all of his specific, exact “simple instruction” on the day of the eclipse, I did so on multiple devices. It recognized where I was, yet stated we were “not in totality” for the 4/8/24 eclipse. Developer’s attempt at damage control comes off badly and they need to take a step back and realize that: 1) if they have a go-to response that the “simple instruction” was not followed, they are indicating a larger U.I. Issue, 2) need a refresher on how to not be passive-aggressive in wording their response - it comes off especially badly when the suggestion is incorrect, and 3) indicate thusly that they are not interested in utilizing feedback as a tool for improvement. They put a lot into this app, but they are thwarting their own efforts by not making it great. **Developer response:** At the bottom of the Select An Eclipse To Time screen it tells you what to do. After buying the 2024 data set you have to then tap that line again to "select an eclipse to time." If you did not follow that simple instruction the app was working with the 2017 data set. You have to tell the app which eclipse in the list you want to time. I think you missed this important instruction. ### 1/5 — Hidden pay wall *2024-04-13, version 4.0.31* The rude developer commented. What they failed to mention is the videos showcasing this app makes it sound like you can turn it on and follow the eclipse, not that you have to pay $6 to do so. The developer also lied when they say $1.99. It was $5.99 in app on the morning of the eclipse. Back to the OG review. Couldn’t do anything with tracing the April 2024 eclipse! He talks about his app in the YouTube video and never says it costs money yet the tracker cost $5 over you finally figure out the AWFUL UI. This is the worst looking app I’ve ever seen and to charge for this is a JOKE. At least be transparent ABBA warn us you’ll be charging $5 so that I can find the info from NASA for FREE. I saw the entire eclipse with NO HELP from this TRASH. ### 1/5 — Inaccurate GPS Location *2024-04-12, version 4.0.31* I downloaded it, practiced, and was ready. But like some of the others reported here, when I drive from home to the path of totality, and got my GPS location, it said I wasn’t in the path of totality. And so yes, the timing was off, too. I’m not sure how that happened, but wonder if I had entered my GPS coordinates manually if it would have made a difference. I’ll never know. ### 1/5 — No C2 or C3 at Niagara Falls? *2024-04-11, version 4.0.31* I went to use the app in totality in Canada and it said I would not see totality which wasn’t true. Did not use it and found setup to be not so user friendly. The app could use a proper onboarding flow and UI update. ### 1/5 — Didn’t work properly. *2024-04-11, version 4.0.31* Saw on Smarter Every Day. Followed all instructions. Updated GPS data. Voice commands happened at each interval. Problem was they were about 20 minutes ahead of the real thing. Reset the GPS data 3 times and it never worked properly. ### 1/5 — Didn’t work on eclipse day *2024-04-11, version 4.0.31* I tried this app out the day before and it loaded the data (I did buy the data for this eclipse) but started announcing right away. A test mode? Don’t know and couldn’t figure it out so I shut down the app. Eclipse day, well before C1, it wouldn’t calculate the times like it did the day before. I tried many times, looking for something I’d missed before but I couldn’t get it to work. I eventually abandoned my efforts after 10 minutes and many tries. One star because I can’t give zero and it wasted my time on eclipse day. Rather disappointing. ### 1/5 — Didn’t work, timer screen needs work *2024-04-11, version 4.0.31* Installed prior and initial testing seemed to work. Weather forecast was iffy so waited until the clouds thinned enough to see a crescent before purchasing but never got any audio alerts. I have an iWatch but didn’t want to turn off Bluetooth since I didn’t want the CGM app to complain. Also the timer screen is basically useless. It lets you enter an offset for each event but I would have preferred seeing a countdown to the next event. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Amazing in USA’24, but will it be available for Spain’26 ? *2026-03-10, version 4.0.31* A little late, but… Simply put, this app single handily made my (and the fine folks in Detroit, TX) experience possible for the 2024 eclipse. I thank Dustin at “SmarterEveryday” for turning me on to this. Everyone around me thought I was some kind of genius/scientist as I was calling out the phases of the eclipse. I think the most important feature was telling everyone when when to dawn their glasses again (after the 4m 15s of totality). With that being said, I will be in Spain this summer. Will the app be updated to service it? To everyone else. If you’re passionate in science, willing to learn the app (it’s not hard), this app is great. I knew I was in safe hands once the ‘call outs’ started. With the potential 1m 40s I’m going to experience this year, I’d like to feel that safe again. ### 5/5 — Worked well for the April 2024 total solar eclipse *2025-06-09, version 4.0.31* The UI is a bit barebones, but it gets the job done. The down-to-the second timing, when combined with custom limb correction, allowed me to capture Bailey’s beads at C2 and C3. 10/10 would use again. ### 5/5 — Enhanced our eclipse experiences. *2025-04-08, version 4.0.31* If you take the time to familiarize yourself with the app before the event it enhances your enjoyment of an eclipse. It lets you know when it’s safe to remove protective eyewear and reminds you to observe your surroundings and the horizon. I would recommend turning off notifications after an event is over. I was in a slight panic today when my app started to give instructions. I realized the eclipse I purchased for last year must have had only the month and day in its programing so I assume it will be giving me instructions every April 8th. It did bring back welcome memories. ### 5/5 — Worked Great !!!! *2025-04-08, version 4.0.31* Used this for the 2024 USA Eclipse. Everything worked great. One year later, it’s alerting me again, so maybe it can’t tell what year it is. Not a big deal, gave me a reminder of what I was doing at this exact time last year. I do recommend, if you’re where it will be useful to observe an eclipse. ### 5/5 — Partial eclipse March 29 *2025-03-24, version 4.0.31* Is there a data set available for download for the partial eclipse on Saturday March 29 2025? I just went on the app to prepare and could not find it. Please advise. The app was amazing and extremely accurate for last year’s total eclipse. ### 5/5 — Esssential for solar eclipse chasers! *2024-08-04, version 4.0.31* I've used the app twice, in 2017 and 2024, and both times it worked perfectly. Whether you're planning to photograph the eclipse or just observe it, this app is essential. In the heat of the moment, it's so helpful to hear the voice prompts telling you what to look for, and when totality begins and ends. Thanks for a gret app! ### 5/5 — So handy! *2024-04-21, version 4.0.31* I saw this on a video I used to help my students understand the solar eclipse. I downloaded it and went through the recommended tutorial. As a result, I found it very easy to use. I paid the $1.99 for the specific solar eclipse. I wasn’t in the totality zone so I had to allow it to pinpoint my location. I had no trouble getting notifications or using it. It even helped me photograph at regular intervals. I could not have been happier with this app! ### 5/5 — Accuracy ON POINT *2024-04-21, version 4.0.31* I recently used this app for th 2024 total eclipse and I followed all the instructions for voice updates and updating my actual physical location. The updates for key times were great, and then I was so impressed during totality how accurate it was with the timing of when to remove the protective glasses and when to put them back on… down to the second! I had it on speaker, so other spectators around me got to benefit too! ### 5/5 — Worked perfectly! *2024-04-19, version 4.0.31* This app guided me through the April 8 ‘24 eclipse flawlessly. The voice cues were priceless! I did go through the tutorial first, which is essential. The videos were helpful as well. I changed my viewing location based on them, so that I could have a better view of the horizon. Thanks for making a once in a lifetime experience even better! ### 5/5 — Eclipse 2024 *2024-04-15, version 4.0.31* This was the BEST app to have on eclipse day! Guided my family and I through the entire process and gave us comfort in knowing when to take off and put on our glasses. THANK YOU for putting in the work to make this app :) --- *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 2026-08-21.*