Minimal Hourglass is a countdown app that shows the remaining proportion of a set duration through a sand animation. While it runs, a circular indicator and minutes:seconds digits at the top also show the time remaining. This guide compares the current app source with public 1.2.2 information.
You can set a short study, cooking or exercise interval and watch its progress. The color and animation choices do not establish improved concentration, meditation results or benefits for children's attention.
Set a duration and start
- While the timer is stopped, tap the clock icon above Set Time. This opens Timer Duration settings.
- Choose 1m, 3m, 5m, 10m, 30m or 60m under Quick Presets. A preset replaces the duration. Choosing 1m and then 3m sets three minutes.
- For a custom duration, tap the time area marked Tap to change to open Set Duration. The Minutes wheel offers 0–120 and Seconds offers 0–59. The largest wheel combination is 120 minutes 59 seconds.
- Tap Done to apply the input or Cancel to retain the previous value. Use the duration panel's close (X) button and check the target. Durations with seconds use a format such as
120:59; zero seconds uses a label such as5 minutes. - Set a positive duration and tap Start. Stop appears while the timer runs; duration controls and the settings gear are hidden. Zero is accepted but completes just after starting, so check the minutes and seconds first.
What happens after Stop?
| Control | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Start | Starts a new countdown from the entire configured duration. |
| Stop | Stops progress and leaves the current remaining sand proportion on screen. The top time label returns to the configured target. |
| Start after Stop | Restarts the entire configured duration rather than continuing the remaining time. |
| Clock icon above Set Time | Changes the duration while stopped. Presets replace the input rather than adding time. |
| Settings gear and close (X) | Choose sand appearance and motion while stopped. An ad may appear when closing after changes. |
For example, stop a three-minute countdown after one minute: its remaining sand proportion stays in place. The next Start begins three minutes again. The current screen has no separate Pause, Resume or Reset buttons. For pause and resume from the remaining duration, check the controls in the Big Timer guide.
Change sand color, shape and flow
While stopped, tap the settings gear at the top right. Set Time handles duration input; this settings screen offers the following choices.
- Sand Color: 7 colors—Teal, Blue, Pink, Purple, Gold, Coral and Silver.
- Hourglass Style: Sharp or Smooth shapes.
- Sand Flow Style: Flowing or Filling display styles.
- Swing Animation: turn Swing while timer runs on or off.
With no saved settings, the defaults are five minutes, Teal, Smooth, Flowing and swing enabled. Changes apply immediately; use close (X) to return. The light or dark appearance follows the system theme.
Completion sound and keeping the screen on
At completion, Time's up! appears and the app requests playback of its bundled completion sound once. This screen has no sound chooser, mute switch or vibration switch. Run a short interval first to check the sound on your installed version and device.
The current app requests portrait orientation and keeps the screen awake at startup. Stop does not release that screen-awake request through a setting here. Check actual screen behavior and operation while another app is visible on your device, operating system and installed version.
Progress is implemented with a 50ms update interval. That interval does not establish measurement accuracy or a scheduled alarm when the app is out of view. Dart's periodic timer documentation explains that actual callback spacing can vary.
What is saved?
The app stores minutes, seconds, sand color, flow style, hourglass shape and the swing setting locally. Its code also saves the three most recent duration inputs, but the current screen has no recent-duration selector. Active remaining time and completed session records are not saved or exported. A freshly prepared screen uses the saved target and appearance settings; it does not automatically resume an interrupted countdown.
Download, advertising, privacy and support
Use the shared download links below to open Google Play or the App Store. The current source includes initial ad loading, a banner in duration settings and an ad flow when closing appearance settings after changes. Check the latest advertising and privacy information for your installed version.
If your screen differs, send the app version, device, operating system, target duration and Start/Stop sequence through Contact. You can also read the Privacy Policy.