Solar Eclipse Timer

Foxwood Astronomy

In-app purchases

About this app

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!

Ratings and reviews

I had high hopes for this thanks to a Smarter Everyday video suggestion. However, my experience was not good. Even though I followed the directions, the times of my notifications were off by roughly 15 minutes. I synced GPS, it even identified my street address, for some reason the announcements were wrong and therefore I couldn't rely on it for the timed events.

Did not work for me. Ran all the tests successfully. It found my coords, but never filled or calculated the contact times, or announced anything. Tried closing everything. Stopped and restarted session in app rebooted, retest, re find GPS, etc. etc. Silence. Luckily I was in a group and so just followed the crowd, but I did get flashed by the sun very briefly after 3rd contact, and that wouldn't have happened if it had worked correctly.

I was using to keep track of when the eclipse events were happening live at my location. My biggest issue was I could not find a way to view previous/upcoming updates. Once I read them, it disappeared forever. I could not view what was upcoming to prepare for it. Also, it was giving live updates and notes, but then it quit mid-way through the eclipse. Edit: this was my fault! I took some photos of my kids enjoying the eclipse, which can throw off the app. I upped my rating to 3 stars.