Support

Getting started

1. Open Ring Timer and click the ▶ in the centre of the ring, or press Space.
2. Work until the ring runs out. Ring Timer plays a sound, sends a notification and switches to your break.
3. Click Start (in the window, the menu bar menu or the notification) when you're ready for the break, and again for the next session.

Common questions

How do I change the timer or break length?

Open Settings (⌘, or Settings… in the menu bar menu), go to Timer, change the minutes and click Save. New lengths apply from the next session.

How do I keep my own lengths as the default?

In Settings → Timer → Your Defaults, click Save Current. Restore brings them back at any time, and Reset to Original (90 / 30)… returns to the original lengths.

I closed the window. Is the timer still running?

Yes. It keeps running in the menu bar. Choose Open Ring Timer… from the menu bar menu to bring the window back, or Quit Ring Timer to exit.

I'm not getting notifications.

Open System Settings → Notifications → Ring Timer and allow notifications. The sound can be switched on or off in Ring Timer's Settings → General.

The menu bar item is missing.

Turn on Show in menu bar in Ring Timer's Settings → Customise, or choose View → Show in Menu Bar. If it still doesn't appear, allow Ring Timer in System Settings → Menu Bar. If your menu bar is crowded, macOS may hide some items behind the notch.

Can the menu bar item take less room?

Yes. In Settings → Customise → Menu Bar → Display, choose Icon and Time, Icon Only or Time Only.

How do I add or take off time?

Use the − and + buttons beside the countdown, the menu bar menu, or ⌘− and ⌘=. Each press moves the timer by 5 minutes; change the step to anything from 1 to 60 minutes under Timer → Adjust in Settings. Taking time off always leaves at least a minute, so it never ends a session by surprise.

Where are Reset and Skip?

Pause the timer (click the centre of the ring) and Reset and Skip appear under the ring. They're also in the menu bar menu, and ⌘. resets. Prefer the classic Start and Cancel buttons? Turn on Show Start and Cancel buttons in Settings → Customise.

Can I hide the − and + buttons?

Yes. Turn off Show −/+ buttons in Settings → Customise. The menu bar items and ⌘− / ⌘= keep working.

Can I hide the ring or the countdown, or change the ring's size?

Yes. Turn off Show ring or Show countdown in Settings → Customise; the −/+ buttons go with the countdown. Under Ring size, choose Small, Medium or Large. The ring stops at that size, so a bigger or zoomed window just gets more room around it.

How can I tell the timer is paused?

The window says "Paused" above the countdown, and its ring fades back behind a bright play button. In the menu bar, the ring dims behind a pause sign and the time turns grey.

How do I use full screen, and how do I get out?

Click the green window button, press Control-Command-F, or choose Enter Full Screen in Settings → Customise. To leave, press Esc, click Exit Full Screen (move the mouse if the controls have faded), or use the menu bar menu. Ring Timer always opens windowed. While a timer is running in full screen, your display stays awake.

Can I change the colours?

Yes. In Settings → Customise → Theme, choose Classic, Forest, Dusk, Paper, Pink, Minimal or High Contrast. The menu bar ring follows your theme.

Can the ring run the other way?

Yes. Under Customise → Ring → Time runs, choose Clockwise or Anticlockwise.

Which accessibility settings does Ring Timer follow?

With Increase contrast on in System Settings → Accessibility → Display, Ring Timer uses the High Contrast theme. With Reduce motion on, the ring and digits change without animating. During a break the window says "Break" in words, so you don't have to rely on colour. Controls have VoiceOver labels.

Can Ring Timer open when I log in?

Yes. Turn on Open at login in Settings → General.

Keyboard shortcuts

Contact

Found a bug or have a suggestion? Email imre@draskovits.dev and include your macOS version.