How to set a timer on Android

This guide covers how to set a timer on Android through the Clock app, your voice assistant and a few shortcuts. It also says when a browser timer is the better tool. Android phones vary by maker, so the steps note where Samsung differs from Google's own apps. Also searched as android timer, set timer android, google clock timer.

Method 1: the Clock app

Open Clock (Google's version is preinstalled on Pixel and many other phones).
Tap the Timer tab.
Type the length on the keypad. Typing 1 0 0 0 gives 10 minutes 00 seconds; typing 1 3 0 gives 1 minute 30.
Tap the play button. The countdown appears in the notification shade and on the lock screen.

Tap Add 1 min on a running timer to extend it, or the plus button to start a second timer alongside.

Method 2: Google Assistant or Gemini

Say "Hey Google, set a timer for 5 minutes". On many phones you can also press and hold the power button to bring up the assistant and say it there. On phones that have switched to Gemini, the same phrase works. You can name it too: "set a laundry timer for 45 minutes". Ask "how much time is left" or say "cancel the timer" to control it hands-free.

Method 3: Quick Settings

Swipe down twice from the top of the screen and look for a timer or Clock tile. Not every phone includes one by default. Tap the pencil icon in Quick Settings to add it if your Clock app offers a tile.

Options worth knowing

Want to	Do this
Label a timer	Tap the label field above the countdown and type a name
Run several timers	Tap the plus button in the Timer tab; each runs separately
Change the sound	Tap the bell icon on the timer, or Clock settings, Timer sound
Vibrate only	Turn on Timer vibrate in settings and choose Silent as the sound
Control from the lock screen	Pause, reset and add a minute from the timer notification

Samsung Clock differences

Samsung phones ship with Samsung's own Clock app. The Timer tab has a Presets row where you can save lengths like Eggs, 7:00.
The sound is set under the timer's options, with a separate choice for vibration.
Bixby handles voice timers if you use it, and Google Assistant works as well.

When a browser timer is the better tool

A phone timer stays on the phone. For a Chromebook, a laptop, a smart board or a TV, open this page in the browser instead. Press F and the countdown fills the screen; tick Repeat and it loops for intervals; press 1 to 9 to set minutes without typing. Each preset has its own link, so a teacher can send atimer.net/5-minute-timer/ to a whole class. The trade-off: on the phone itself, the browser goes quiet when the screen locks, so keep the Clock app for pocket timers.

Try it

Open the 5 minute timer and press Space. For any other length, the countdown timer takes hours, minutes and seconds. The online timer page explains the rest of the features, from sounds to notifications.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set a timer with my voice on Android?

Say "Hey Google, set a timer for 5 minutes" or press and hold the power or home button to call the assistant, then say the same thing. The timer runs in the Clock app.

Can Android run more than one timer at once?

Yes. In the Clock app's Timer tab, tap the plus button to add another timer. Each one can have its own label and runs on its own.

Where is the timer on a Samsung phone?

Open Samsung's Clock app and tap the Timer tab. It has presets you can save and a Bixby voice option, and otherwise works much like Google's Clock.