Why Timer+ Sounds Aren't Playing

Timer+ uses the iOS notification system to deliver alerts and play sounds when the app is in the background. If your alerts are silent when you’re outside of Timer+, here’s how to fix it.

1. Check the Silent/Mute Switch

• Make sure the mute switch on the side of your phone is OFF.
• iOS mutes notification sounds if this switch is ON.

2. Check Notification Settings

Go to Settings app > Notifications > Timer+ and verify:

• Allow Notifications → ON
• Time-Sensitive Notifications → ON
  • Required for instant timer alerts
• Banner Style → Persistent
  • Ensures sound plays for up to 30 seconds

3. Check Ringer / Alert Volume

iOS notifications (and ringers) also have their own volume that is separate from the volume in your apps and music.

Go to Settings app > Sounds & Haptics:

• Adjust Ringtone and Alert Volume to audible level.
• You’ll hear a test chime when you move the slider.

4. Understand iOS Sound Limits

• iOS limits notification sounds to 30 seconds.
• If you use a looped sound, it will stop after 30s.
• If Banner Style = Temporary in your Notification Settings, sound will only play for a few seconds.

→ Set Banner Style to Persistent for full duration. More Info

5. Check Focus Mode Settings

Focus modes can block Timer+ alerts.

Go to Settings app > Focus and for each Focus:

• Notifications > Time Sensitive Notifications → ON

  or

• Notifications > Allow Notifications From → Add Timer+

Without this, Timer+ sounds may not fire at all.

6. If You Have an Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch is:

• On your wrist
• Unlocked
• iPhone is locked/asleep

→ Notifications (and sounds) go to your Watch, not your phone.

7. Other troubleshooting steps

Here’s an approach that has worked but isn’t fully verified.

• Go to Settings app > Sounds & Haptics.
• Change the Haptics setting to a different setting, then change it back.