Best Floating Timer App for iPhone — Keep a Timer Visible Over Any App
One of the biggest frustrations with iPhone timers is this: once you switch to another app, you can't see the countdown anymore. You have to keep switching back to check how much time is left.
Whether you're timing a recipe while reading, tracking a workout while playing music, or running a Pomodoro session while working — you need a timer that stays visible. That's where a floating timer comes in.
Why iPhone's Built-in Timer Falls Short
The default Clock app timer has a major limitation:
- It runs in the background ✅
- It sends a notification when done ✅
- But you can't see the live countdown while using other apps ❌
There's no picture-in-picture mode, no overlay, and no way to glance at the remaining time without swiping back to the Clock app. If you're following a recipe in Safari and timing something, you're constantly switching back and forth.
GumTimer's Floating Window Solution
GumTimer features a true floating timer window — officially called Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode — that hovers over any app on your iPhone.
🪟 How It Works
- Start a timer in GumTimer
- Tap the floating window button
- A small overlay appears showing your live countdown
- Switch to any other app — the timer stays visible
- Tap the floating timer to return to GumTimer instantly
The floating window displays:
- Live countdown (minutes and seconds, always updating)
- Timer name so you know which timer it is
- Tap to return — one tap brings you back to the full app
📐 Flexible Positioning
The floating timer can be:
- Moved to any corner of the screen
- Resized to be larger or smaller
- Minimized to a tiny dot when you need more screen space
- Expanded back to full size with a single tap
It works exactly like a video PiP window, but for your timer.
Real-World Use Cases
🍳 Cooking While Browsing Recipes
The most common use case. You have a dish in the oven for 25 minutes and you're browsing the next recipe step in Safari. The floating timer sits in the corner — you always know exactly how much time is left.
🏋️ Gym Workouts
Timing rest periods between sets while scrolling through your workout log or changing music? The floating timer keeps your countdown visible without leaving your playlist.
📖 Study Sessions
Running a 25-minute Pomodoro timer while taking notes in a document? The floating window gently reminds you of the remaining focus time without breaking your flow.
💼 Presentations & Meetings
Need to keep track of time during a meeting while taking notes? The floating timer sits discreetly in the corner of your screen.
🎮 Gaming
Timing something in a game? The floating timer overlays directly on top, so you never have to leave the game to check the countdown.
Compared to Lock Screen Timers
iOS does show a timer countdown on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island (on newer iPhones). But this has limitations:
| Feature | Lock Screen / Dynamic Island | GumTimer Floating Window |
|---|---|---|
| Visible while using apps | ❌ (Lock Screen only) | ✅ Always visible |
| Shows in other apps | Partial (Dynamic Island) | ✅ Full overlay |
| Multiple timers visible | ❌ | ✅ |
| Resizable | ❌ | ✅ |
| Works on all iPhones | ❌ (Dynamic Island = iPhone 14 Pro+) | ✅ All iPhones |
GumTimer's floating window works on every iPhone — you don't need a Dynamic Island.
How to Enable Picture-in-Picture Timer
- Download GumTimer from the App Store
- Create and start a timer
- Tap the PiP/floating icon in the timer view
- The floating window appears — switch to any app
It's completely free to use.
Download GumTimer on the App Store →
