# Timekept — Best way to time any debate

> Universal debate timer with customizable alerts for speakers and adjudicators. (iPhone/iPad app by Philip Belesky.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timekept/id1156065589 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Philip Belesky](https://appshunter.io/developer/1156065588)
- Category: Utilities, Education
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 17 App Store ratings · 23 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish, Thai
- Released: 2016-11-16
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timekept/id1156065589/reviews.md

## What is Timekept?

Timekept helps you focus on speech and debate, not keeping time. Designed for competitors, judges, coaches, and timekeepers, it provides a clear iPhone and iPad timer for rounds that need precise speech, prep, crossfire, and cross-examination timing.

Track prep banks, protected time, crossfires, replies, and speeches nearing their close with clear color cues and optional sound, vibration, and flash alerts.

Timekept supports common debate and public speaking formats, including:

- US forensics styles such as Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, Public Policy, Congressional Debate, Big Questions, American Parliamentary, IPDA, NPDA, APDA, and Karl Popper.
- British Parliamentary, World Schools, Australs, Asian Parliamentary, OPD, Paris V, Irish Times, and Dutch Parliamentary.
- Canadian Parliamentary and CUSID variations.
- Public speaking formats such as Toastmasters and Pechakucha.

## Key features

- Simple debate timer interface
- Prevents phone screen lock
- Color-coded time indicators
- Optional sound, vibration, and flash alerts
- Supports numerous international debate styles
- Designed for speakers and adjudicators

## Recent user reviews (10 of 23)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timekept/id1156065589/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Please add the ability to create custom formats!!

*2025-06-06, version 1.3.12*

In NZ high schools, we use a modified version of Australs 3v3 where the leader’s reply is 4 min and preparation is 30 min.

### 5/5 — Merci

*2025-01-13*

Funktioniert sehr gut

### 5/5 — Great app

*2023-05-13*

2 ideas:
- Feature in app to record speeches would be awesome -> even storing speeches within the app
- Ability to create custom debate formats (specifically for high school debates and social debates where the format changes a lot)

**Developer response:** Hi Tim, thanks for your feedback!

### 5/5 — Really helps

*2021-08-06, version 1.3.9*

Thanks for devs for this reliable app. One input though: I am using an old iphone SE and the timer img seems to large for a 4 inch screen. Adjustment to small screen will be much appreciated.

### 5/5 — It’s great but one little flaw

*2020-08-06*

So I love the app all around but I has one flaw the changing prep time setting doesn’t work, PF got an update for 4 mins of prep instead of 3 if this could be fixed that would be much appreciated. Or at least make it so I can adjust prep time

**Developer response:** Hi Leon, thanks for your feedback. I've just released a new version (1.3.7) that should fix an issue with the Preparation Length setting so that this can be applied to PF times. If you have any other feedback please feel free to get in touch via the contact option under settings.

### 5/5 — Add a fiture

*2020-05-11, version 1.3.6*

Please add continuously bell sound when the time already finished, not just three times bell

### 3/5 — Good job

*2019-02-17*

Nice

### 5/5 — Works great but deadly bug with new update

*2019-01-26*

The timer worked great before the new update, it broke the prep timer, now pressing the prep timer button just starts main timer.

**Developer response:** Hi Bohan, thanks for the feedback and the rating. The update just released (1.3.4) should address this. You can use the contact option in the settings menu if you have any further feedback or issues.

### 4/5 — Excellent timer for all Debate formats

*2017-12-07*

This timer is well thought out. I used to use “Debate Mobile” but it stopped being updated by its developers. There are many nicer parts of this timer in comparison and I think the “deliberation” and “adjudication” sections are nice to help keep the judges accountable as well. One thing I wish it had that DM used is a way to set the prep time to a standard “8” “5” or “10” minutes depending on the tournament you’re at. I wish the prep timer also kept track of time remaining as well as time used since that’s what debaters usually care more about. It’d be nice if it showed, say for a tournament using 8 minute prep, both that 2m30s had been USED but also that 5m30s REMAINING. That’s the only thing I find myself missing from Debate Mobile. Otherwise it’s a great timer, and particularly if you judge multiple formats frequently like me!

**Developer response:** Hey Ematton, thanks for your feedback! The update released today (1.3) adds a new setting for whether prep time counts up or down — this should allow you to have the primary countdown to be the time remaining. The update also adds a new option to specify the exact length of prep time (overriding the format's default time) which should allow you to set things to 5/8/10 minutes even if that is not the 'standard' time.

### 5/5 — Love it!

*2017-11-02*

Every debater should download this. And every non-debater too, although they might find it less helpful.

## Frequently asked questions about Timekept

### What debate styles does Timekept support?

Timekept supports a wide array of debate styles, including British Parliamentary, Australs, World Schools, Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum, American Parliamentary, Canadian Parliamentary, and many other regional variations.

### How does Timekept prevent my phone from locking?

Timekept is designed to keep your phone's screen active while the timer is running, ensuring you can always see the time without interruption. This is a key feature for focus during speeches.

### Can I customize the alerts in Timekept?

Yes, Timekept offers optional sound, vibration, and flash alerts to notify you as speech times change or approach critical points. This helps in managing the debate flow effectively.

### What is the price of Timekept?

Timekept is a paid app, available for a one-time purchase of $0.99. This provides full access to all its features without any recurring costs or in-app purchases.

### On which devices can I use Timekept?

Timekept is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices, making it accessible to a broad range of Apple users. It requires iOS 4.3 or later.

### How often is Timekept updated?

The app was last updated on July 9, 2023, with version 1.3.12. This indicates regular maintenance and potential feature additions or bug fixes.

### What is the age rating for Timekept?

Timekept has an age rating of 4+, meaning it is suitable for users of all ages. Its utility is primarily for educational and competitive debate contexts.

### What do users like most about Timekept?

Based on its 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews, users likely appreciate its simplicity, effectiveness in managing debate times, and the wide support for various debate formats. The prevention of screen lock is also a highly valued feature.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0 — 2026-06-07

- Added Live Activity support so you can check running timers from the Lock Screen
- Reworked the design to match modern iOS patterns
- Added accent color and light/dark appearance settings
- Added more bell sounds and quick timer controls
- Improved in-progress timer restoration
- Added separate settings for team prep banks and case preparation timers
- Added Toastmasters, APDA, Pechakucha, and NPDA case-prep timing support
- Preparation and deliberation pages now show the wall-clock expiry time

### 1.3.12 — 2023-07-09

- Fixed an issue with the Open Parliamentary format where POIs were not available in some speeches

### 1.3.11 — 2021-12-01

- Fixed some icons that were not showing (e.g. Settings)

### 1.3.10 — 2021-09-24

Improved compatibility with iOS 15

### 1.3.9 — 2020-11-22

Added variation of American Parliamentary / NPDA format with flex/cross time periods

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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 2026-09-07.*