A simple Pomodoro timer with Risetime on Android

What it is

Risetime is a clock app for Android: alarms at a fixed time or following the sun, and timers that repeat and chain. No ads ever and completely offline.

The Pomodoro technique needs very little: a block of work, a short break, again, and a longer break now and then. Most apps built for it add a task list, charts, streaks, an account and a subscription on top.

Risetime has none of that. It has timer sequences: timers that follow each other, as many as you like, looped as often as you want. A Pomodoro is one of them, in the same app that already rings your alarms.

How do I set up a Pomodoro timer?

1. On the Timers tab, tap the plus and type 25:00. Add it without starting.
2. Open the row and add a second timer: 5:00.
3. Set Loop to ∞ to keep going until you stop, or to 4 for four rounds and done.
4. Press play.

Folded, the row shows the block you are in and the round: [↻1] 4:24 / 25:00 [1/2] is the first round, the first of two timers, four minutes twenty-four into the work block.

How do I add a long break after four rounds?

The classic pattern takes a longer break after the fourth block. Build the sequence as it goes: 25, 5, 25, 5, 25, 5, 25, 15, and loop it. The bar under the row shows one segment per timer, sized to its duration, so the long break stands out at the end.

A break that doesn’t take over the screen

Going from work to break, and back, gives an intermediate ring: once, quietly, as a notification. Nothing takes over the screen while you work. Only the end of the whole sequence gives the full ring, with the ringing screen; tick Intermediate ring at the end and even the end stays quiet.

The sequence can have sounds of its own, one for its intermediate ring and one for its ring, so your Pomodoro does not sound like your kitchen timer.

The rounds stay in step. Skip a break and the next block counts from when the break was due: four rounds of twenty-five and five take exactly two hours.

When the plan meets the day

• Need to finish a thought? The add-time button gives the running block a few more minutes, without stopping it.
• Break over early? Next starts the following block now.
• Interrupted? Pause, then pick up where you were.
• Done for the day? Stop, on the row or on the notification.

The gestures are the same as for every timer: the timers guide has them all.

The same sequences time other things: work and rest for interval training, or the bells of a sitting practice.

Works offline, on your phone

Risetime runs entirely on your phone. It has no account, no cloud, no ads and no analytics, and it has no internet permission at all, so the operating system itself keeps it offline. Privacy policy

What it costs

Risetime is free for up to three alarms and three timers – for good. Need more? Use those three first, and see if it's worth your support: supporters get unlimited alarms and timers, yearly or once. If not, I'll be happy to hear you out.