Ask HN: Is there a way to get previous iOS timer behaviour back?
In iOS 17 Apple changed the Clock app in such a way that if you adjust the timer without starting it and then enough time passes that the screen locks, or you just switch away to a different app for a moment and switch back, the timer will reset itself to previous value.
It's infuriating. Nothing else behaves this way. When I prepare utensils in the kitchen, they don't jump back into drawers the moment I turn my eyes away from them. Microsoft Word also won't delete your last paragraph, if you Alt-Tab before saving the document.
On multiple occasions this caused me to start the timer with an unintended value.
Is there a way to get the old behaviour back?
6 comments
[ 1.9 ms ] story [ 28.2 ms ] threadhttps://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/04/apple-stops-signing-ios...
Following the release of iOS 17.0.3 earlier today, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.6.1, iOS 17, and iOS 17.0.1, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to any of those software versions.
If I understand correctly, you change the timer, but don't hit start, then switch away and back and you see it reset to the last successful (mine reverts to 19:00) timer value?
But, to answer your question: no, there's not a way to get the old behavior back within the app.
This was willfully done this way, probably due to another customer's Feedback submission. Observe that the process is the same when you activate Control Center and press and hold on the timer icon to change the time.
Example: I boil water in a kettle for tea. I set the timer to the correct steeping time. I open the top of the kettle to let the water cool off for a bit for it to be appropriate for the type of tea I'm making. Before the water gets to the right temperature, I get an SMS or someone calls me. I then get back to the app, but the timer value is wrong.
But really the main failure mode is the lock screen, not switching to another app. I set the timer value to what I want and leave the phone on a tabletop until the time comes to start the timer. But the timer app behaves like an attention-seeking child which punishes me if I don't give it constant attention. So you can replace getting an SMS/getting called in the above with just putting the phone down until it's needed. It's nice to separate those two steps, when you want to be more precise.
Scenario 2: I want to make soft-boiled eggs, so I set the timer value to 3 minutes and put the phone down until water starts boiling. I lower the temperature for the water to simmer. And start the timer.
> This was willfully done this way, probably due to another customer's Feedback submission.
I find it hard to believe that someone would want their timer to reset to a value they used the last time they pressed the Start button, instead of staying at whatever value they've just selected. The previous value is likely to be completely unrelated to what they're doing the next time. Previously you were cooking eggs, now you're making tea, later you're frying steaks, ...
I think tpmx's suggestion that it may be a bug introduced in a SwiftUI rewrite more likely, especially given Jtsummers's observation that all that's needed is switching to another view.