Cooking timers that ring when the phone is locked

On iOS 26.1 and later, Saucepan timers ring like the Clock app, even on silent and with the phone locked. On earlier versions they alert by notification, which the silent switch can mute. Start several at once from the times in the recipe.

Updated October 24, 2026

A timer that is easy to miss is worse than no timer. On iOS 26.1 and later, Saucepan timers use the system alarm, so they ring on silent and with the screen locked. A Live Activity shows the countdown on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island while you cook.

On earlier iOS versions timers alert by notification, and the silent switch mutes the sound.

Allow notifications for Saucepan when asked so a timer can ring while the app is in the background.