1. Ringtone Modes
Due to iOS system limitations, third-party alarm clock apps cannot run continuously in the background. This app uses two ringtone modes to trigger alarms: Notification Mode and Background Playback Mode.
1.1 Notification Mode
In Notification Mode, a maximum of 64 notifications can be sent. Beyond this limit, the ringtone will no longer sound. Please clear sent notifications from the Notification Center in a timely manner; they will also be automatically cleared when you open the app. The number of notifications for each alarm equals the number of repeats set for that alarm. The repeat count for each alarm accumulates in the order of ringing times, and if it exceeds 64, the alarm will be displayed as “Waiting” on the alarm list page.
1.2 Background Playback Mode
In Background Playback Mode, the app remains active. When an alarm triggers, it can play sounds, ringtones, display the time and remaining repeat count, and vibrate. You can enable Background Playback Mode in the following ways:
- 1.2.1 Enable the Background Playback Mode switch in the settings and set the duration for background activation, starting from when the switch is turned on. Enabling this mode increases battery consumption. The state of Background Playback Mode is not saved; it will automatically turn off when the set duration is reached or when the app is restarted.
- 1.2.2 Play audio or video through this app. While audio or video is continuously playing, the app remains active and in Background Playback Mode. Once playback stops, it automatically switches to Notification Mode.
- 1.2.3 A combination of the two methods above.
2. Ringtones in Notification Mode
You can choose from three types of alarm ringtones: Ringtone, Sound, or Sound + Ringtone. After changing an alarm’s recording, ringtone, or repeat count, please reselect the ringtone type and generate the corresponding ringtone. Wait patiently for the ringtone generation to complete before returning to the alarm list page. The alarm will take effect once you return to the alarm list page.
3. Alarm Target Time Settings
Avoid setting the target time intervals for alarms too short, such as triggering multiple alarms within a few seconds. In rare cases, due to insufficient system resources, some alarms may not ring in Background Mode.
4. Intermittent Ringing and Super Snooze
In the alarm settings page under ringtone mode, there are three parameters: Ring Duration, Pause Duration, and Repeat Count. Ring Duration only works in Background Playback Mode; in Notification Mode, the iOS system limits it to a maximum of 30 seconds. The combination of Pause Duration and Repeat Count enables the Super Snooze function—set it according to your needs. In addition to the snooze function, you can manually tap the snooze button in the ringtone pop-up for unlimited snoozing.
5. Silent Mode
You can enable Silent Mode via the shortcut button on the alarm list page or in the settings. When Silent Mode is activated, notification sounds will default to the system’s default alarm sound. For complete silence, turn on the physical mute switch on your phone.
6. Extra Workdays (Overtime)
Overtime applies only to weekly recurring alarms. The ringtone will sound as long as the target time falls on an overtime date. This feature is useful for adjusting rest days, such as occasionally working on a Sunday. Combine it with holidays and your work schedule to set a monthly or yearly timetable to avoid missing any alarms.
7. Custom Alarms
7.1
This app offers advanced customization, allowing you to set almost any type of alarm, including regular and irregular patterns (e.g., three-shift-two-off, Pomodoro technique, hourly chimes). Use the custom function to set it up, then check the settings with Top300 to ensure accuracy.
7.2 Parameter Explanation
- T0, T1, T2, …, Tn: Ringing time points, with T0 as the starting point for time calculations.
- d1: Time interval from T0 to T1.
- d2: Time interval from T1 to T2, and so on.
- dn: Time interval from Tn-1 to Tn.
- b: Time interval from Tn back to the starting point T0.
- Cycle Sequence: T0, T1, T2, …, Tn, T0, …
7.3 Examples
7.3.1 Regular Workday Schedule
Start work at 8:00 AM on June 8, 2020, end at 12:00 PM, resume at 2:00 PM, and finish at 6:00 PM, repeating daily. Parameters:
- T0 = 2020-6-8 8:00:00
- d1 = 4 hours
- d2 = 2 hours
- d3 = 4 hours
- b = 14 hours (from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM the next day).
7.3.2 Four-Shift-Three-Off Schedule
E.g., two morning shifts (0:00–8:00), two mid-shifts (8:00–16:00), two night shifts (16:00–0:00), then two days off. Parameters:
- T0 = 2020-6-8 0:00:00 (Morning Shift 1 start)
- d1 = 8 hours, T1 = 2020-6-8 8:00:00 (Morning Shift 1 end)
- d2 = 16 hours, T2 = 2020-6-9 0:00:00 (Morning Shift 2 start)
- d3 = 8 hours, T3 = 2020-6-9 8:00:00 (Morning Shift 2 end)
- d4 = 24 hours, T4 = 2020-6-10 8:00:00 (Mid-Shift 1 start)
- d5 = 8 hours, T5 = 2020-6-10 16:00:00 (Mid-Shift 1 end)
- d6 = 16 hours, T6 = 2020-6-11 8:00:00 (Mid-Shift 2 start)
- d7 = 8 hours, T7 = 2020-6-11 16:00:00 (Mid-Shift 2 end)
- d8 = 24 hours, T8 = 2020-6-12 16:00:00 (Night Shift 1 start)
- d9 = 8 hours, T9 = 2020-6-13 0:00:00 (Night Shift 1 end)
- d10 = 16 hours, T10 = 2020-6-13 16:00:00 (Night Shift 2 start)
- d11 = 8 hours, T11 = 2020-6-14 0:00:00 (Night Shift 2 end)
- b = 3 days, T0 = 2020-6-17 0:00:00 (Return to start of next cycle).
After setting, use Top300 to verify accuracy.
8. Calendar Types
Currently supports Gregorian and Lunar calendar alarm settings; additional calendar types will be added in the future.
9. Notepad Function
You can use the notepad independently to jot down notes or export completed alarms to the notepad.
10. Custom Ringtones
Due to iOS restrictions, ringtone duration limits are as follows:
- 10.1 Custom App Ringtone: Maximum 30 seconds.
- 10.2 Custom Phone Ringtone: Maximum 40 seconds. After conversion, manually import via iTunes: Open iTunes -> Access this app’s file-sharing directory -> Drag the ringtone to a computer folder -> Drag it back to iTunes’ ringtone folder -> Sync.
- 10.3 Source File Requirement: Custom ringtone source files must be stereo audio; otherwise, conversion may fail.
11. Importing Music
Import audio and video files via:
- 11.1 AirDrop.
- 11.2 iTunes from this app’s shared folder: Open iTunes -> Access Bestimer shared folder -> Drag audio/video files from computer to the shared folder root -> Sync. Bestimer will auto-load playable files. For video files, only the audio track is playable.
12. Deleting Music
- For media library files, only references can be deleted.
- For shared files, you can delete references or completely remove them from the disk.
13. Multilingual Support
The app supports multiple languages and regions, with more languages to be added in future updates. Voice recognition and synthesis adapt to your language and region.
14. If the Alarm Doesn’t Ring, Check:
- 14.1 Are notifications enabled in your phone settings? Turn on all switches.
- 14.2 Is the phone volume set to minimum?
- 14.3 Is the phone’s mute button on?
15. Advancing or Delaying Target Time
In the alarm editing page, enter a time to advance (negative value) or delay (positive value) the alarm.
16. Alarm Validity Period
Set the start and end dates for an alarm’s validity period on the editing page. The alarm will only ring within this period.
17. Date Setting Check
Click the Top300 button on the alarm editing page to verify the alarm times. Note: Times in Top300 are the actual ringing times, calculated based on settings, advance/delay, validity period, and time zone.