The stopwatch on iPhone and iPad is a built-in feature that allows users to measure time with accuracy. It provides functionality for starting, stopping, pausing and resetting the timer, as well as recording intermediate times.
From iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple adds an extra useful function to the stopwatch, making using the advanced timer even easier. For example, the feature has received support for Live Activities.
Live Activities for iPhone and iPad
Live Activities allows an app to display real-time information about ongoing activities on the lock screen or Dynamic Island. Because the ‘notification’ is updated live, it is no longer necessary to unlock your iPhone or iPad to see the standings of a match, for example, or to check when your food will be delivered. This form of information is used by standard Apple apps, but developers can also build the function into their application.
Stopwatch on lock screen
Since iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple has added Live Activities support to the Stopwatch feature for iPhone and iPad. This had previously been applied to the timer and alarm clock function of the Clock app.
- Open the Clock app
- Navigate to Stopwatch
- Start a measurement
- Lock the screen
As soon as the access screen is displayed, you will see the live activity appear at the bottom of the screen, showing the position of the stopwatch. Instantly you can pause the timer or start a new round.
Do you have an iPhone with Dynamic Island? Then you can also consult the stopwatch from this island as soon as you leave the application and your iPhone is unlocked.