Is there some way to keep the Timer "always on-top"?

Question

Is there some way to keep the Timer "always on-top"?

When using the Timer I would like to keep the Timer from disappearing from the watch screen but I haven't figured out how to do that... if it's at all possible. After starting the Timer, it goes into the background within a few seconds and the Clock face reappears. To check time remaining on the Timer, one must click to the Home screen and reselect the Timer App... which, in a few seconds, again goes to the background and the Clock face reappears, so again one has to open the Timer App to see time remaining. If there is a way to keep the Timer "on-top" without having to repeatedly tap the screen during the Timer's run, I haven't discovered it. I would like to also add the Timer to my Glances list so I can flip-flop back to it as well. I can do it on my iPhone, of course, but the watch hasn't got that ability yet. Apple engineers could make it so with the timer and the stopwatch if they see the need. Are there others who would like that capability as well? I think so.

Apple Watch, iOS 9.2.1, Sport

Posted on Feb 1, 2016 1:38 PM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Feb 4, 2016 3:46 PM in response to williewarlock

Hi

It is not presently possible to add Timer to Glances. However, your watch can be configured for more convenient use of the Timer app:

Set your watch to return to the last used app upon raising your wrist:

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > General > Wrist Detection - turn on.
On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > General > Wake Screen:
- Under the heading On Wrist Raise, enable Resume Last Activity.

After starting a timer by opening the Timer app, your watch will return to Timer (for as long as it remains the last used app) when you next raise your wrist.

Add Timer to your watch face as a complication. When viewing the time on your watch:

Press firmly on the display > swipe left / right to the watch face that you want to customise (don't swipe if you only want to customise the current watch face).
Tap on the Customise button.
Some watch faces offer more than one screen of customisation options > swipe left to the last screen to choose complications (where available).
Tap on a complication to customise what is shown in that location.
Turn the Digital Crown to scroll through the available complications for that location until you reach Timer.
Press the Digital Crown and then tap on the watch face to return to it.

To start Timer directly from your watch face, tap on the complication. Once started, the remaining time will then be shown by the complication on your watch face until the timer ends, when the app will open for you to dismiss it.

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Feb 5, 2016 12:30 AM in response to williewarlock

You're welcome!

williewarlock wrote:

Additionally, I set the Wake Screen to Wake for 70 Seconds instead of the default 15 so I can count down the last minute plus 10 without the Timer going dark.

Note that, if you lower your wrist within that 70 second period, it is normal for the screen to sleep again.

williewarlock wrote:

Its utility/accessibility can still be improved upon if the software engineers put their heads together to make the Timer stay "on" until it counts down and we then choose to go to another selection. So, once activated we can wipe back and forth.

If you would like to suggest that Apple considers making those changes, you can do so here:

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

All submissions are read (although you should not typically expect to receive a reply).

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Answer 3

Feb 4, 2016 11:56 PM in response to Jonathan UK

Thank you, Jonathan. I configured my watch for both, "Resume Last Activity" and installed the Timer on the watch face as a complication. It's now very simple to switch to the Timer while also continuing real clock time in a digital display at the upper RH corner of the Timer's screen, or simply checking the Timer in the complication on the watch clock face. Additionally, I set the Wake Screen to Wake for 70 Seconds instead of the default 15 so I can count down the last minute plus 10 without the Timer going dark.

Thanks again for your help. I'm fine with setting and using my Timer now.

Its utility/accessibility can still be improved upon if the software engineers put their heads together to make the Timer stay "on" until it counts down and we then choose to go to another selection. So, once activated we can wipe back and forth.

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