Track Time and Protect Focus

See how long a task takes by starting a timer when you begin and stopping it when you finish. Try it with one small action, such as Draft the project update.

1. Open the task’s Time Tracking field

Open the task you are about to work on.
Find Time Tracking and expand it.
Choose the play button to start the timer.

The Time Tracking field expanded, showing a saved session, a plus button and a play button. — Expand Time Tracking to see sessions. The + adds time manually; the play button starts a new timer for this task.

2. Work, then stop

Keep the timer running while you work on that task. Stop it when you switch to something else or take a break. You can start another session when you return.

StartBegin drafting the update. Start the task timer.
StopTake a break after 20 minutes. Stop the timer.
ReturnStart a new session for the last 10 minutes. The task now has two sessions.

Track the periods you worked. A break between sessions does not need to become work time.

On supported iPhones, a running timer can appear on the Lock Screen as a Live Activity and in Dynamic Island. Their availability depends on your device and settings.

Light-mode focus timer for Prepare investor update with Complete and stop controls. — The full-screen timer keeps the current task visible. Complete finishes the task; the red stop button ends the timer.

3. Review or add a session

Open Time Tracking again to review the saved sessions. If you forgot to start the timer, use the + button to add a manual entry and save the duration you worked.

For the example above, 20 minutes plus 10 minutes means you spent about half an hour on the update. Use that when planning the next one.

4. Try distraction blocking if you need it

In the timer screen on a supported iPhone or iPad, open Block Distractions, allow the requested Screen Time access, and choose the apps or categories to block while you focus.

Start with the one app you keep opening out of habit. If the control is missing, check your device support. Distraction blocking is a timer setting, not a project field.

You can stop here: one task, one timer, one useful estimate. Add automation later with the Shortcuts guide.

Block Distractions settings with Block distractions during timers enabled and category choices. — Choose the apps, websites or categories to block while a timer runs.

Explore all 7 related features

Browse the related features below for more detail.

Task timer

Start and stop time tracking from a task.

Time sessions

Keep completed and running sessions with the task.

Manual duration

Store a duration for a tracked session.

Timer Live Activity

Monitor and stop a running timer from the Lock Screen.

Dynamic Island timer

Keep a running timer visible on supported iPhones.

Distraction blocking

Shield selected apps or categories while focusing.

Timer automation

Start a timer and read running sessions with Shortcuts.