Precisely Time The 2026 Solar Eclipse With Spoken Announcements and Countdowns!
About Solar Eclipse Timer
Solar Eclipse Timer is a photography app developed by Foxwood Astronomy.
Download Statistics
Solar Eclipse Timer has been downloaded 190 thousand times. In the last 30 days, the app was downloaded 490 times.
User Ratings
Solar Eclipse Timer is rated 4.27 out of 5 stars. The rating is based on 1.3 thousand ratings.
App Information
Solar Eclipse Timer is FREE to download. The APK download size is 112.96 MB. The latest version available is 5.0.11. The last update was on May 28, 2026.
Technical Requirements
Solar Eclipse Timer requires Android 4.4+ or higher. The app has a content rating of Everyone. The app has been available on Google Play April 2017.
Description
Since the 2026 path covers some remote areas as well as high-traffic spots in Spain where cell service could be overwhelmed on eclipse day, the app works offline once unlocked. So, geolocation and contact time calculation are all done within the app. This makes it a true "field tool."
The app is free to try, and for only a $1.99 in-app purchase to unlock the 2026 eclipse, it's an easy "yes" for anyone who has invested time and travel to be in the path of totality.
In-App Video Tutorial: The first button on the Home Screen provides a comprehensive tutorial that explains all the app's functions and how to use them effectively.
Audio and Notification Tests: The second button lets users run a "device sound check" to confirm that audio cues, spoken timings, and notifications are audible, which is critical since the app is designed to talk to you.
Practice Session Video: The third button launches a 4-minute-45-second video of my actual eclipse-day observation site in 2024, synchronized with the app's real-time announcements. This allows both observers and photographers to practice their routines repeatedly, such as observing for shadow bands, adjusting shutter speeds, and knowing when to remove solar filters.
Additionally, dialogue boxes appear as functions are selected, giving you more guidance.
On eclipse day, after you get into the path, you can be timing the eclipse in 3 easy steps: 1. Tap to geolocate. 2. Tap to have the app calculate the precise contact times. 3. Tap to load the times into the timer. That's it! You are timing the eclipse.
A major convenience feature of the app is the automatic calculation of the clock times needed to capture a perfect set of partial-phase images before and after totality. It is the only app in the world with this function.
Collaborating with the late Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse) on Photographers Mode before the 2024 eclipse gives the app an incredible pedigree. For pros who need to stay "in the zone" and only care about timing and countdowns from C1 through C4, this mode is a game-changer.
You can manually enter coordinates and save the site as a file. This helps compare multiple potential viewing locations.
The app includes a hyperlink to the Solar Eclipse Timer website, which gives access to downloadable worksheets to record your partial-phase image times or the chores you want to do in Photographers mode, as well as my Master Stop Chart to count full and partial camera stops.
I have observed and photographed six total solar eclipses and one annular eclipse. The concept of an eclipse “talking” timer was developed by me in 2002. I have been helping people time eclipses for almost 25 years. When you use the app, you will appreciate that it was designed by an eclipse chaser.
There is also a link to learn more about my comprehensive eclipse observation and photography book, now in its second edition, titled “Eclipse Day.”
The app also has a partial eclipse timing mode.
This app is ad-free and does not track any user data.
ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION DURING THE PARTIAL PHASES OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE! OR EVEN WHEN IT IS BRIGHT! NOT DOING SO CAN CAUSE EYE DAMAGE! We are NOT liable for misuse of the app, causing inaccurate timing, or the lack of eye safety precautions during the observation of a solar eclipse. The "glasses off" and "glasses on" statements are guides based on the calculated contact times. The timing can be affected by your phone's clock and the shape of the shadow due to the edge of the lunar limb. Use the Adjust buttons for Lunar Limb variation time adjustments. Glasses should be ON if it's bright!
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App worked exactly as advertised during the 2024 eclipse. Set up was a snap and, when we decided at the last minute to move 60 miles north to avoid the clouds we were able to obtain our new coordinates with ease. If anything, it was intuitive enough that I found the tutorial to be more difficult than the actual use. Thanks for helping to make our experience amazing and representing our state so well!
★★★★★Ryan Ellefson· Apr 10, 2024
Worked very well for the eclipse! The countdowns for totality were very accurate!
★★★★★Robert Noble· May 4, 2024
App worked exactly as promised, made the Solar Eclipse experience easy and fun.
★☆☆☆☆Devin Adams· Apr 10, 2024
Pro: Contact times were accurate. Cons: Timer never "talked" during the eclipse. UI sucks. Eclipse itself was outstanding, but this app was a disappointment Edit: Developer politely contacted me to tell me that it's my fault his app sucks. I'm politely dropping my rating to 1 star. Update 2024: Purchased the '24 update. Friend also installed iPhone version. Same result as 2017. No notifications for either of us. This time it's my fault. Should never have given this app a second try.
★☆☆☆☆Shamus Thornton· Apr 27, 2024
I ran all the tests, and watched the tutorials. During the once in a lifetime event, the app didn't make a single notification. Yes, it was a waste of money, but more importantly this app was a distraction from the eclipse experience. Before an eclipse, watch YouTube videos, research location and timing information, then just enjoy the experience. You don't need an app that might not work.
★☆☆☆☆Daniel Kassler· Apr 14, 2024
Notifications just stopped 20 minutes to totality, then didn't give me anything until fourth contact. I did all the set-up and tests beforehand. I feel ripped off. Definitely not using this for another eclipse. Somehow it actually got *worse* since 2017.
Google Play Rankings for Solar Eclipse Timer
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Technologies used by Solar Eclipse Timer
Solar Eclipse Timer is requesting 14 permissions and is using 9 libraries.
Each subscription will automatically renew 3 days before the expiration date for
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