Focus Keeper: Productive Timer Negative Reviews

Focus Keeper: Productive Timer App Complaints & User Negative Comments 2024

Focus Keeper: Productive Timer app received 37 complaints, negative comments and reviews by users. Have you ever had a bad experience using Focus Keeper: Productive Timer? Can you share your negative thoughts about focus keeper: productive timer?

Focus Keeper: Productive Timer for Negative User Reviews

✓ Tracking is subpar and often no existentA couple times I thought it was logging my sessions and it wasn’t, only to find out I couldn’t manually enter the data. Really disappointed, and sort of angry considering this is the full paid for version I’m using will probably ask for a refund asap..AyyeteeVersion: 2.1.9

✓ BuggyI bought the full version but the timer will randomly stop counting down and there is an annoying white noise that can’t be turned off. As another user indicated - this ruined my focus and defeated the purpose of the app.Created nickname 133726Version: 1.10.9

✓ Horrible experience after the recent update2 days ago the app stopped working. I’ve been using it for over 3 years and paid for the subscription. Since the recent update the app just crashes without even opening. After reinstalling the app I’ve got a new ‘get started’ screen and the app now crashes after you click 4 times next. You would think that such a simple app should be more stable..FocuscustomerVersion: 2.5.5

✓ Somewhat impracticalThis app would be a lot more practical if it was able to automatically pause the timer once the iPad/phone screen went to sleep. It would also be useful to be able to change the hours in the “amount of hours studied” chart section. Often I forgot to pause the timer and the chart section becomes very inaccurate..ElliemaribVersion: 1.9.9

✓ Can’t do the simple things correctlyI was looking for a pomodoro timer that simply makes a sound every 25 mins (work) followed by a 5 minute break. It doesn’t work when you put your phone to sleep, making this completely redundant. Ironically I’ve wasted time testing this - notifications & sounds are enabled but it looks like you have to leave your phone on for the whole thing to work, which will waste battery and reduce screen’s lifespan. What’s the point? Might as well use Apple’s timer and attempt to automate a pomodoro workflow with shortcuts..HamboproVersion: 2.5.4

✓ Simple enoughAdd option to rearrange the timers and I will bump up the rating. Thanks.StandardtvtVersion: 2.1.9

✓ Extreme privacy data collectionI downloaded this and ditched it after going to their link and reading their privacy policies. They are quite extreme, and be skeptical if the developer replies and makes it sound like you can opt out of them. Their own site says in clear terms that opting out makes the app basically nonfunctional. I’ve used many apps, including having tried several Pomodoro apps, and this is one of the worst as far as your privacy rights. Your personal data should not be for sale or shared with entities like Facebook, Google, and others for advertising or ANY purposes. You’re already paying a subscription fee. There are other issues like their statement that they can retain your data as long as needed, but they don’t tell you what that period is after you delete your app. Flimsy wording like this is a sign of a developer who only has his own interests in mind, and I refuse to patronize developers who gather and share my personal data to this extent. Privacy matters. Regardless of any possible future response by the developer to downplay these issues I’ve mentioned, I encourage you to click the link and read their privacy policy for yourself..Cre8tvVersion: 2.3.2

✓ App says free but…Literally any option i wanna use requires me to pay for the app….Updates..Version: 2.5.5

✓ OkI liked the ticking sound and found it helpful. The app set up was overall easy to understand. Improvement potential in adding the ability to swipe left and right to move to other days. I liked the idea that I could set tasks to repeat so they would appear on future days. Unfortunately the repeated tasks that are scheduled continue to disappear on the current day… So “today” is always empty… Which defeats the purpose of repeating tasks, if they are never there when you go to perform them. Canceled my subscription and am looking for other options..-dan-d-lion-Version: 2.1.0

✓ FunctionalGood tool. I like the crashing wave sounds on the long breaks. However, the ticking clock is much too loud (distracting) and if I turn it right down, then later on the bell signalling the end of the period is almost inaudible. Also, the app could do with more autonomy in terms of setting your own length of break (10 mins short and 30 long would be better for me)... I will not upgrade because my iPhone already comes equipped with a timer, over which I have far more control..Karen A. BrownVersion: 1.8.4

✓ A glamorized timer that will absolutely destroy your battery lifeThe title says it all. Terrible coding means that this app will drain a ridiculous amount of battery power just running in the background. Pretty ridiculous..Yoink90Version: 2.1.10

✓ New version is terribleThere is no option for silence during a focus session, and then seamlessly switching to ticking or rain or whatever during breaks. I used to enjoy hearing the difference between break and work. Now, if I have it muted, because I don’t want sound while I’m working, I will miss the sound that alerts me to break time. I’ve never been able to use the music feature, but even now, I can’t even switch to “music” and let it be silent. The task list makes no sense and doesn’t help. Instead of seeing how many minutes are left in a session from the Home Screen on my iPad (it used to show minutes left in the corner of the icon just like any app with alerts), it shows how many tasks I have left, or just nothing if I don’t have tasks and am only using the timer. Moving to a task-based system for a timer is just weird. Focus keeper app is now absolutely useless. I cannot use it like this. Please revert back. This is one of the few apps I’ve ever paid for the full version of because I really liked it and used it all the time. Now I can’t use it at all. The new changes have totally eliminated every useful feature the app had. I don’t know how to further stress the point that the new changes have made the app unusable, as in, any feature a person would want from a pomodoro timer app is no longer included in the app..Bex n effexVersion: 2.0.6

✓ Solid, but with a couple key flawsWhile this version of the app has more features than the previous, I have two main complaints. The first is that the app icon’s badge no longer reflects how much time you have left in a session. I relied on this to quickly command-tab while writing and see how much time I had left without overly interrupting my work flow. Now I must go all the way into the app to find this information, which is more disruptive. Second, and more fatally, this is now a subscription app. While I understand that developers would like to have a steady income, not every little app (such as a timer) warrants constant payments. I appreciate that the developers may feel that the added functionality warrants this, but for what I want, which is a simple pomodor-style timer, the cost is just too much. Think I’ll stick with the one-time $2 payment “pro” version and hope that keeps working..TabascomVersion: 2.0.7

✓ Lost premiumI paid for the premium but since the update It shows me reversed my status and doesn’t allow me to control premium features. Help!.ST2292Version: 2.1.1

✓ Timer keeps pausingI love the simple design of the app and personalised sounds and alarms. I would like to rank this as 5 but my big issue is the timer pauses frequently - this appears to occur when I navigate between other apps. It would be great to have this issue looked into, or have a feature added to specify that I would like to disable timer pausing unless performed manually..EllelaiaVersion: 1.9.9

✓ Background pauses and dev apathy are unacceptableI’ve been using this app for a number of months. So long as it remains in the foreground, it behaves nicely. But once it goes into the background, the timer may keep running, or not. You may get push notifications of the timer finishing, or not. Irritatingly, the push notifications and the app can go out of sync. I bought an annual subscription and contacted the developer about this months ago. I have received no response. I’m happy to pay for good software and support, but I can’t accept paying for buggy software without any developer responsiveness..SklipxVersion: 2.1.9

✓ Does not sync purchase on MacbookI had the subscription but on macbook dosent show up.Very goodd appVersion: 2.5.5

✓ Good but can’t update existing timerBought the app. I change the ticking sound on an existing timer, save, update, and the old sound is still there no matter what I do! Also, I need to click TWICE on the sounds to preview them, as it always plays the old sound first. No support email on the site so posting here. Please look into these and I will update my review if fixed! Thank you!.DarroneledVersion: 2.3.2

✓ Confusing and useless without payingRemember when apps were $1-3 and you got to keep them forever? Paying $1.29/mo for a glorified timer is ridiculous, though I’d consider it if the layout of the app was remotely intuitive..Mint-tea-cloudsVersion: 2.2

✓ APPLE WATCHApple Watch support pleaseeeeeee.Buoya10Version: 1.10.6

✓ Pauses Podcasts!The app is perfect for use as a pomodoro timer with a simple UI however I am going to end up deleting it. When I am working I listen to podcasts in the background, however each time the app changes status (focus > break > focus) it pauses the podcast in the background, meaning I have to pick up my device and open the podcast app to un-pause it. I’ve tried looking in the settings and there is no obvious way to prevent this. Would be great if the app could be updated to prevent this, as part of the reason for using it is to keep me from fiddling with my iPhone when I am trying to focus..Littlerob5Version: 1.10.10

✓ Update failEver since the update it’s literally the worst product. The timer doesn’t auto reset, I get random long breaks when they should be short, sometimes the timer doesn’t count my completed round. The app is now virtually unusable..Courtney19977991Version: 1.10.7

✓ Loss of paid features to force subscriptionThe latest update took away the ability to set the break and focus times without having a subscription. I already had a one time payment version of the app to get those features. :( Not cool!.ReviewingbecauseannoyedVersion: 2.1.4

✓ Notification BadgeAfter new update notification badge won’t go away.IphwnmanVersion: 2.0.13

✓ Freelance Hours TrackerThis used to be my go to app. But the new update is rubbish. I need to set a daily goal so I know when I’ve worked my hours for the day. Having to go searching for hours completed is rubbish. It also sometimes deletes all sessions from previous days so I can’t use it as a trusted time keeper for my hours but for years I previously have. Absolutely stupid updating something that worked perfectly before.HawbagVersion: 2.0.7

✓ Does not work on MacOSNot verified on MacOS and crashes when trying to open.NoZainVersion: 2.5.0

✓ Good but could be betterI really enjoy using this app so upgraded to the paid version to be able to make my focus periods longer. I wanted 90 minute focus breaks followed by 20 minute breaks. This is recommend to achieve peak flow state and is in line with ultradian rhythms. So I was disappointed upon paying for the upgrade to discover the max focus length is 60ish minutes. Why? Can’t this be changed as 90 minutes is recommended in so many research studies for optimal performance.SarahholVersion: 1.10.6

✓ Loving the TechniqueIn less than a week of using the Pomodoro Technique I have managed to complete several tasks that are usually submitted late well in advance of the deadline. I’m also getting regular breaks and finishing work on time. The app is really helpful I’m keeping track of time and Pomodoros - I thought it might add pressure ticking away but actually it’s quite meditative and reassuring. Would like the app to be customisable to fit with my normal working times and to give a 5 minute signal at the start/end of each Pomodoro (which it probably can through the premium version) but apart from I’m finding it excellent so far. Next step is to apply it to my studies that I’ve been procrastinating over for months..Domestic.goddessVersion: 1.10.6

✓ Good but ignores the whole pointApp is good and subscribed upfront as soon as I saw there were individual settings for tasks - perfect! and watch app… BUT you’re ignoring the very essential point of having a focus app: no distractions! And ONLY having an iOS app takes us to the source of all distractions in the universe: our phones!!! Watch app is crap, just a timer basically with no complications, very disappointing… ok if your task is a workout (there’re better apps for that!) but useless overall. For anyone that uses for work, the ideal would be having a MacOS app or that the website synced the tasks when logged in… but the app doesn’t create an account for you and, even subscribing, the website seems to be a different thing because you may create an account with the same email used for subscribing the app that nothing happens! App and website are not synced or seem to be related at all. Anyway, what looked perfect doesn’t seem so good when put to work in real life. I’m not sure I’ll keep using the app. Hope you address these soon..MmcmspVersion: 2.5.0

✓ Does not work sometimesIt sometimes doesn’t work. What is annoying is this “sometimes”. Because of the dysfunction, I lost my focus..TYZ%9z*fx8A%v9pVersion: 1.10.8

✓ Effective for studying but underhanded in selling pro versionI’ve never written a review for an app before but I felt like I had to warn other people. First of all, credit where it is due, this app is effective. It is set to the traditional pomodoro technique as a default: four rounds of 25/5 minute study/break sessions followed by a longer break. I found it worked very well when I was studying. When I was poking around in the settings I noticed there were some settings that I couldn’t change without buying the “Pro” version. That’s normal. HOWEVER hidden at the bottom of the settings menu is a button labeled “Restore Pro” which when I clicked it, bought the Pro version of the app without giving me a chance to authenticate it. I didn’t intend to buy the Pro version. Because of the underhanded tactics I can’t give it 5 stars..Focus_123Version: 1.9.9

✓ Keeps pausing the timer 😑I don’t know what causes it but something pauses the timer every now and again so I’ll be working away feeling like it’s been ages since I had a break and when I go check how much time is remaining I see that it’s not even counting down. It’s driving me crazy! I emailed the developer about it and have had zero response. Annoying because I’ve paid for the full version..D.was.Version: 1.9.9

✓ Issues with Latest UpdateI have been using this app for a long time and have been very happy with it. I even paid for the full version. However, after the latest update, it has suffered from significant issues, the main one being background running. Simply put, the break timer will no longer start running unless the app is open and your screen is unlocked. I used to be able to lock my screen and the break/focus timers would run automatically. Now, if I lock my screen, the break timer will not start, or will start late and throw off the whole focus/break cycle. Changing the settings has not helped, and support has not adresses the issue despite my many follow ups. Now, I have to leave the screen on and the app open if I want it to work, which affects my screen time and battery. It is unfortunate that such a useful app os suffering from such an unnecessary issue. Hopefully it gets fixed soon..SimonparVersion: 2.4.0

✓ Once great app ruined by recent updatesSince the last couple of update a simple easy to use app has now got bogged down with this new task feature (crashes more often) and now I cannot use my music during the rest periods. The option comes up and when you select your tune it doesn’t save it and simply goes back to whatever the default is. Have tried reinstalling the app to no avail. Have sent this complaint to the developers several days ago and still no response.RoseAHudsonVersion: 2.0.6

✓ Destroyed by latest updateI have managed my time using this app for years now. It was an essential addition to my work kit prior to the most recent update. Unfortunately, locking your device now stops the timer, rending the app completely useless unless you’re willing to permanently keep the screen on, draining your battery (I also fear that there could be damage to the screen by using it in this way). Incredibly disappointing. I cannot wait for the developers to rectify this so will have to uninstall the app and purchase an alternative. Don’t purchase this unless you are happy to leave your screen on permanently..Blindmelon79Version: 1.9.9

✓ NEW UPDATE RUINED ITI use to love the previous version of Focus Keeper. It was simple and effective, I was able to pause the time and exit the app and still have my study time saved for the day so I could pick up where I had left off. I would’ve given this a 5/5 if it weren’t for the new version. The new version seems more complicated and just unnecessary, the features are the same but there are many times when I have to pause my timer, for example at the time 12/25 minutes, and exit the app. Then, I suddenly lose my study hours and it goes back to beginning with 25 minutes. This used to not happen with the previous version at all! This is extremely frustrating for me because there are times when I really have to pause the timer and go to another app, but when I come back to the app I’d expect to pick up to where I left off. Really hope they improve this version or set it back to the previous version, because the previous version was very simple and effective, with no lags at all..Yashu_gurazadaVersion: 2.0.2

✓ Limited UseThere is a limited amount of time used before you have to pay for the app. It’s cheap and probably worth it, but annoying if you missed that part before downloading it..BecksydoodleVersion: 2.0.15

Focus Keeper: Productive Timer works most of the time. If it is not working for you, we recommend you excersise some patience and retry later or contact Focus Keeper: Productive Timer.