How to set it up
Following Apple's instructions [1]:
- Open the Clock app and tap Timers.
- Set the duration.
- Tap When Timer Ends and choose a sound.
- Tap Start.
Apple notes that the timer keeps running if you open another app or if your iPhone goes to sleep, and that a custom timer you've set appears in your list of recent timers, so you can start the same length again whenever you want [1].
What it doesn't do
- No opening bell. The timer starts silently. You have to mark the beginning yourself.
- An alert, not a bell. When a timer ends you get a notification at the top of the screen, which you clear or set to repeat [1]. That's built for kitchens and parking meters, not for coming out of a sit.
- No record of your practice. The recent list remembers lengths, not sessions. There's no count of how often or how long you've sat.
- No background sound. Nothing plays between the start and the alert.
When a meditation timer is worth it
When you want a bell at both ends, a choice between silence and a steady background, and a record of your sessions you can look back on. That's what Echo does: a bell marks the start and the end, rain or wind is there if you want it, and every session is tracked, with an activity chart by week, month, six months or year.
Echo is free on the App Store, and you don't need an account to begin. If you're comparing options, Choosing a meditation timer app lists what to check.