davidfromtrappe

Q: How can I use the Apple Watch timer for times less than one minute?

As a first responder I need to be able to take a pulse which requires counting heartbeats for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2. Can't find how to start a sub 1 minute timer. I am unable to rely on doing this through Siri as she doesn't reliably react correctly in a high noise environment.

Apple Watch, watchOS 1.0.1

Posted on Jun 14, 2015 4:22 PM

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Q: How can I use the Apple Watch timer for times less than one minute?

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  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Jun 14, 2015 5:09 PM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 9 (58,370 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 14, 2015 5:09 PM in response to davidfromtrappe

    <oops>

  • by davidfromtrappe,

    davidfromtrappe davidfromtrappe Jun 14, 2015 5:18 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 14, 2015 5:18 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Yeah. I have come to that conclusion. I've put in a feature request in Apple feedback. I tried using third party timers, but unlike Apple's timer they don't alert you when the timer reaches 0 and the display is turned off. I'm trying to raise awareness of this issue as the watch is useless for emergency medical assessments. People who aren't emergency medical responders like me don't understand this issue.

  • by Ralph9430,

    Ralph9430 Ralph9430 Jun 14, 2015 8:18 PM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 6 (18,157 points)
    Jun 14, 2015 8:18 PM in response to davidfromtrappe

    I did a quick search of the App Store and noted at least one app that might do what you want. It's "Due – Reminders, Countdown Timers." I suggest you do a more complete search to see if there is one there that might provide the 30 second time you need.

  • by davidfromtrappe,

    davidfromtrappe davidfromtrappe Jun 14, 2015 8:40 PM in response to Ralph9430
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 14, 2015 8:40 PM in response to Ralph9430

    I've tried several third party countdown timers and although they allow sub minute timers they don't alert you when they are done and if the display is off, then you don't know that the time has elapsed. You can't keep the display on long enough to watch the timer fully countdown.

  • by Vasean,

    Vasean Vasean Feb 23, 2016 1:22 PM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Feb 23, 2016 1:22 PM in response to davidfromtrappe

    The closest thing that is currently available is to switch to the "Chronograph" watch face and hit the timer button in the upper right corner.

  • by 12bapben,

    12bapben 12bapben Feb 23, 2016 1:23 PM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 23, 2016 1:23 PM in response to davidfromtrappe

    you have to use the digital crown

  • by Vasean,

    Vasean Vasean Feb 23, 2016 1:25 PM in response to 12bapben
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Feb 23, 2016 1:25 PM in response to 12bapben

    Using the digital crown will not allow setting a time that is less than a minute, which is the issue we are trying to address.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Feb 23, 2016 5:55 PM in response to Vasean
    Level 8 (37,837 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 23, 2016 5:55 PM in response to Vasean

    Or just use the watch face. After displaying the watch face tap the screen and it will stay on for 75 seconds.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Feb 24, 2016 2:48 AM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Feb 24, 2016 2:48 AM in response to davidfromtrappe

    Lawrence Finch wrote:

     

    Or just use the watch face. After displaying the watch face tap the screen and it will stay on for 75 seconds.

     

    The wake period of up to 70 seconds (rather than 75) is not the default on tap behaviour.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Feb 24, 2016 2:56 AM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Feb 24, 2016 2:56 AM in response to davidfromtrappe

    The Utility, Simple and Colour watch faces each include a large second hand, which you may find helpful for conveniently timing periods of less than one minute.

     

    Under watchOS 2 and later, Apple Watch can remain awake for:

     

    • Up to around 6 seconds, when waking the watch by raising your wrist;
    • Up to 15 seconds on being tapped (the default setting), or;
    • Up to 70 seconds on being tapped.

     

    For your choice of the longer time periods to apply, interact with your watch by tapping the display or pressing the Digital Crown. For example:

     

    • Wake your watch by tapping on it, or;
    • Wake your watch by pressing the Digital Crown once, or;
    • Tap on the display when the watch is already awake, or;
    • Press the Digital Crown when the watch is already awake (for example, if it is set to Resume Last Activity on wrist raise, you may need to press the Digital Crown to return to the watch face).

     

    To choose between 15 and 70 second time periods:

     

    • On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > General > Wake Screen - under On Tap, select the setting for 15 or 70 seconds.

     

    Note that, if your wrist is lowered during that time, your watch will still return to sleep.

     

    if you would like Apple to consider adding new features - including support for Timer periods of less than one minute - you can submit feedback here:

     

    https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Feb 24, 2016 3:04 AM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Feb 24, 2016 3:04 AM in response to davidfromtrappe

    If you have not yet done so, the instructions below explain how to update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software (the 70 second wake time option is available under watchOS 2 and later):

     

    - Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

    - Update the software on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

     

    To switch to using a different watch face:

     

    - When viewing the time on your watch, press firmly on the display > swipe left / right to your preferred watch face > either tap on the Customise button (to customise any available watch face features and/or complications) or just tap on the selected watch face to start using it.

  • by Truguce,

    Truguce Truguce Mar 29, 2016 12:31 PM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 29, 2016 12:31 PM in response to davidfromtrappe

    I came here looking for an alternate way to set timer for seconds. What I currently do is put the watch in voice command and say "set timer for 30 seconds" and it will set and start the timer for said time. It always works, just need a way to set it without having to give voice command. When timing sports events it can get loud and might take some time for the watch to figure out what was said.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Mar 29, 2016 12:35 PM in response to Truguce
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 29, 2016 12:35 PM in response to Truguce

    Truguce wrote:

     

    just need a way to set it without having to give voice command. When timing sports events it can get loud and might take some time for the watch to figure out what was said.

     

    You can submit feedback here:

     

    https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

  • by livenwell,

    livenwell livenwell Aug 4, 2016 7:12 AM in response to davidfromtrappe
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Aug 4, 2016 7:12 AM in response to davidfromtrappe

    Use Siri on your apple watch to set the desired timer.  "Hey Siri, set a 30 second timer".

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