SIMMERDIAL / Guides
iPhone Clock or Simmerdial: which kitchen timer should you use?
Use iPhone Clock when you need several named timers for different dishes. Choose Simmerdial when you want one visual countdown that you can set and adjust with a dial. Both can alert you while your phone is locked; Simmerdial’s main difference is how you set and change the time.
Compare the timer controls
| Task | iPhone Clock | Simmerdial |
|---|---|---|
| Set a timer | Choose a duration and tap Start. | Turn the dial and release to start. |
| Time several dishes | Run multiple timers with separate labels. | One countdown at a time. |
| Adjust your cooking time | Manage timers individually in Clock. | Turn the running dial or tap Add 5 min. |
| Check while locked | Timers continue when the phone sleeps. | Lock Screen countdown; Dynamic Island on supported iPhones. |
| Duration | Hours, minutes, and seconds. | Up to 60 minutes, set in 15-second steps. |
| Get the app | Included with iPhone. | US$0.99 in the US App Store; requires iOS 26 or later. |
When Clock is the better fit
If pasta, vegetables, and an oven dish each need their own countdown, Clock’s multiple timers and labels make it easier to keep them separate. It also lets you restart recent timers. Simmerdial does not replace a set of independent timers, and its 60-minute limit makes it unsuitable for a single countdown lasting several hours.
When to try Simmerdial
Simmerdial suits a cooking step you want to watch and adjust: set the duration, read the remaining minutes and seconds, and extend it if needed. Its orange ring represents the remaining time on a 60-minute dial. Turning gives mechanical clicks and haptic feedback; the dial sound can be muted. You can try the interaction in the website preview before buying the app.
What happens when you lock your iPhone?
For Simmerdial, allow system alerts and check that the timer starts without a reminder warning. Once the system alarm is successfully scheduled, it can alert you while the phone is locked or the app is closed. If permission is denied or scheduling fails, keep the app in the foreground to hear the in-app alert. The browser preview demonstrates the dial only and does not provide iPhone system alarms.
Does Simmerdial need an account or internet connection?
No account is required. Setting and adjusting the timer and receiving system alerts work offline on the iPhone. There are no ads or tracking SDKs in the app. Timer state, sound, and appearance preferences stay on your device. Prices outside the US vary by App Store region.
Reference
Keep reading
How to use a kitchen timer on your iPhone Lock Screen
Download on the App Store
US$0.99 on the US App Store. Prices in other regions may vary.
For iPhone · iOS 26 or later