Solar Eclipse Timer5.0.14 - App Store

The Solar Eclipse Timer app is marking its 6th eclipse since 2017, which speaks volumes about its reliability and the trust it has built within the eclipse-chasing community. Helping tens of thousands of people enjoy the eclipse more by being reminded to observe all the fascinating eclipse phenomena. Photographers are aided by down-to-the-second precision and countdowns.

Since the 2026 path covers some remote areas as well as high-traffic spots in Spain where cell service could be overwhelmed on eclipse day, the app works offline once unlocked. So, geolocation and contact time calculation are all done within the app. This makes it a true "field tool."

The app is free to try, and for only a $1.99 in-app purchase to unlock the 2026 eclipse, it's an easy "yes" for anyone who has invested time and travel to be in the path of totality.

In-App Video Tutorial: The first button on the Home Screen provides a comprehensive tutorial that explains all the app's functions and how to use them effectively.

Audio and Notification Tests: The second button lets users run a "device sound check" to confirm that audio cues, spoken timings, and notifications are audible, which is critical since the app is designed to talk to you.

Practice Session Video: The third button launches a 4-minute-45-second video of my actual eclipse-day observation site in 2024, synchronized with the app's real-time announcements. This allows both observers and photographers to practice their routines repeatedly, such as observing for shadow bands, adjusting shutter speeds, and knowing when to remove solar filters.

Additionally, dialogue boxes appear as functions are selected, giving you more guidance.

On eclipse day, after you get into the path, you can be timing the eclipse in 3 easy steps: 1. Tap to geolocate. 2. Tap to have the app calculate the precise contact times. 3. Tap to load the times into the timer. That's it! You are timing the eclipse.

A major convenience feature of the app is the automatic calculation of the clock times needed to capture a perfect set of partial-phase images before and after totality. It is the only app in the world with this function.

Collaborating with the late Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse) on Photographers Mode before the 2024 eclipse gives the app an incredible pedigree. For pros who need to stay "in the zone" and only care about timing and countdowns from C1 through C4, this mode is a game-changer.

You can manually enter coordinates and save the site as a file. This helps compare multiple potential viewing locations.

The app includes a hyperlink to the Solar Eclipse Timer website, which gives access to downloadable worksheets to record your partial-phase image times or the chores you want to do in Photographers mode, as well as my Master Stop Chart to count full and partial camera stops.

I have observed and photographed six total solar eclipses and one annular eclipse. The concept of an eclipse “talking” timer was developed by me in 2002. I have been helping people time eclipses for almost 25 years. When you use the app, you will appreciate that it was designed by an eclipse chaser.

There is also a link to learn more about my comprehensive eclipse observation and photography book, now in its second edition, titled “Eclipse Day.”

The app also has a partial eclipse timing mode.

This app is ad-free and does not track any user data.

ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION DURING THE PARTIAL PHASES OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE! OR EVEN WHEN IT IS BRIGHT! NOT DOING SO CAN CAUSE EYE DAMAGE!
We are NOT liable for misuse of the app, causing inaccurate timing, or the lack of eye safety precautions during the observation of a solar eclipse.
The "glasses off" and "glasses on" statements are guides based on the calculated contact times. The timing can be affected by your phone's clock and the shape of the shadow due to the edge of the lunar limb. Use the Adjust buttons for Lunar Limb variation time adjustments. Glasses should be ON if it's bright!

Version History GPS coordinate validation improvements 5.0.14 Aug 5 Minor audio improvements 5.0.12 Aug 4 Provide helpful text to Saved Sites and Timer screens 5.0.11 May 17 Added a "Buy" button to the home screen. 5.0.10 Apr 15 The app is completely updated to time the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse for observers in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. 5.0.8 Mar 18 Programming to maintain access to the 2024 data set in the very rare situation when a phone gets turned from off to on and there is no internet available when it gets turned on. 4.0.31 03/24/2024 A reminder that after purchasing the 2024 you need to tap the 2024 eclipse line to choose this data set to time the eclipse.
A reminder that Daylight Saving Time will adjust the local time conversion time. 4.0.30 03/05/2024 Encouraged NEW USERS to watch the App Tutorial by changing the wording on the first Home Screen button.
Added explanations and advice in key places about using smartwatches and their effect on the notification system when doing Device Sound Check Test #3.
New Exciting Feature! Photographer’s Mode. Developed in collaboration with Fred Espenak. This mode is designed for eclipse photographers! It changes the announcements to timings only, except for a reminder to remove solar filters, max eclipse, and replace solar filters. 4.0.28 02/01/2024 New Exciting Feature! Photographer’s Mode. Developed in collaboration with Fred Espenak. This mode is designed for eclipse photographers! It changes the announcements to timings only, except for a reminder to remove solar filters, max eclipse, and replace solar filters.
Updates to assure compatibility with new operating systems.
Updates to ensure proper functionality with no internet connection. 4.0.23 10/05/2023 New dialogue box emphasizing the importance of turning on and testing the mobile device's notification system.
Clarified instructions on the Device Sound Check screen.
Information screen about my book "Eclipse Day - 2024 and More!"
Updates to assure compatibility with new operating systems. 4.0.14 06/14/2023 Delta-T value adjustment for the 2024 eclipse.
2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021 eclipse data sets are available in the FREE download in a Test Mode.
Reprogrammed for up-to-date iOS compatibility. 4.0 04/24/2023 2017 and 2019 eclipse data sets are available in the FREE download in Test Mode.
Delta T value adjustments. 3.0 01/01/2020 In-App purchases for future eclipses up to 2024.
Partial Eclipse Timing Mode - Time the eclipse when out of the path.
App Tutorial Video - Has a built-in 9 minute app tutorial.
Device Sound Check Tests - Built in test for device audio and notification settings.
New Eclipse Practice Video - New and improved practice video.
New Announcements - Additional and improved announcements.
Revised Help File – Now includes hyperlinks to my YouTube channel eclipse educational videos.
New User Interface – Select A Task screen and information dialogue boxes guide using the app.
Load Saved Eclipse Location Data – Ability to load coordinate data from your saved eclipse data.

Internationally Localized for a Complete Spanish Version 2.1 05/20/2019 New User Interface – Select A Task screen and information dialogue boxes guide using the app.
In-App purchases for future total solar eclipses up to 2024.
Partial Eclipse Timing Mode - This app is helpful even if you are not getting to the path of totality.
App Tutorial Video - Built-in 9 minute app tutorial.
Device Sound Check Tests - Built-in tests for device audio and notification settings.
New Eclipse Practice Video - New and improved practice video.
New Announcements - Additional and improved announcements.
Revised Help File – Now includes hyperlinks to my YouTube channel eclipse educational videos.
Load Saved Eclipse Location Data – Ability to load coordinate data from your saved eclipse data. 2.0 02/07/2019 Added stop button to main timer screen to stop pending notifications 1.10 08/19/2017 Clarified time data in UTC
Clarified time loading and time zone conversion
Dialogue box prior to loading times
Discussed lunar limb profile adjustments
Updated help file 1.9 07/25/2017 Updated 60 second shadow bands statement 1.8 07/06/2017 Added dialogue box to explain event notification STOP button.
Minor fixes to screen skin changing.
Minor fixes to sequencing. 1.7 06/28/2017 Minor change to Eclipse Data Screen 1.6 06/14/2017 New Screen Shots 1.5 06/06/2017 Adjusted Eclipse Movie Volume 1.4 05/31/2017 New Labels In Eclipse Movie
Additional Shadow Band Announcement 60 Seconds Before C2 1.3 05/30/2017 Default time label is now Local Time
Coordinate field format checking 1.2 05/23/2017 Added announcement for glasses OFF at C2 and announcement for glasses ON just before C3.
Added solar glasses image to timer screen as eye safety reminder
Adjusted latitude and longitude value fields 1.1 05/01/2017 1.0 02/13/2017