How to run more than one timer on a Mac
In the Clock app, set one timer, then click the Add button in the top right corner and choose Custom Timer or Presets to start another. Give each timer a name and a sound so you can tell them apart. Apple’s guide describes a list of timers you can manage from the Timers window.
Steps
- Open the Clock app, click Timers (or choose View > Timers), and set your first timer.
- Click the Add button in the top right corner.
- Choose Custom Timer, set its options and click Start. Or choose Presets and click a preset length, such as 5 minutes or 1 hour.
- Enter a name for the timer.
- Pick a sound from the pop up menu under the name field.
Manage your timers
To rename a timer or change its sound, click the timer and edit it. To restart a recent timer, click the Start button next to it at the bottom of the Timers window. To see all your timers, click the Back button in the top left corner. To pause or resume one, use the button next to it. To remove one, select it in the sidebar and click Cancel.
Why use different sounds
Two timers with the same ding are a problem. If you cook and work at the same time, give the kitchen timer a sound you will notice and keep the work timer quiet. A name also shows up so you can tell which one has finished.
Common limits
Clock timers are in a separate app, and every timer you add needs a name if you want to find it later. If you only need one focus timer and a break timer, the Pomodoro approach describes using two.
In the notch
NotchStar’s Timers tool is built for one running countdown at a time: a timer from 5 to 60 minutes, a stopwatch, and a Pomodoro mode, each with its own state. If you need many named countdowns at once, Clock is the better tool for that job.
