We’ve talked about the Pomodoro Technique before, which is built around focusing intensely on a task for 25 minutes and then taking a five-minute break. There’s a lot of software out there for this task, but most of it is on just one of your devices.

Not Focus Timer, an indie app that’s been around in various forms for eleven years. The current version works on every Apple platform: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch, and even Vision Pro. Your settings, including the current timer, are synced via iCloud, without you having to do much beyond installing the app across platforms. It’s very useful, but it’s not free: the app costs $40 per year for access across all platforms.

That’s a lot of money for a timer, granted, but it’s really nice to have a Pomodoro timer that follows you everywhere. For example, I like to get up and walk around the house during my breaks. With this app installed, I can start my break on my laptop, get up, and get my “back to work” reminder on my phone.

Meaningful Things, the Germany-based four-person team behind the app, offers constant updates: basically every major Apple feature you can think of is offered. There are versions for Apple Watch and Vision Pro. There is a live activity for the iPhone app, which means that you see the real-time countdown on your phone's lock screen as soon as you start a session (even if you start that session on your Mac). There are various widgets available for all platforms. There is extensive support for Apple Shortcuts. There is a menu bar icon for the Mac version.