You can create as many timers as you'd like in BigTime. However, you can only have one timer running at once. In this article, you’ll learn how to create a timer and switch between timers.
Table Of Contents
Legacy Timers vs. New Timers
Creating a Legacy Timer
Switching Between Legacy Timers
Time Tracking in Mobile App
Legacy Timers vs. New Timers
Currently, in BigTime, you can use two types of timers. This is because, in Q4 2024, we launched the new timer experience to better meet our current users' needs. However, nothing is imposed—you and your organization can decide whether you prefer to move forward with the legacy timers or take advantage of the new timer experience.
To make the tool as user-friendly as possible, we refer to the previous timer design as "Legacy Timers," and when referencing the new timers, we call them "New Timers."
If you use New Timers, please read the article: Using New Timers in BigTime. If you utilize the legacy version but want to try and test New Timers, you will find a short guide on enabling them for your account.
Creating a Legacy Timer
Follow these steps to create a timer:
1. Click the CLOCK ICON on the navigation menu.
The first time you use the timer, you’ll see a screen that looks like this:
2. Click ADD/START TIMER at the bottom-right corner of the timer box. BigTime will take you inside the timer, and you’ll see the timer running automatically.
3. Add information associated with each timer you create, such as project, category, and task. This will help you stay organized. You’ll also need this information when BigTime converts your timers to timesheet entries.
The fields on your screen may look different than the ones shown above, depending on how your administrator customized your settings.
4. Click SAVE at bottom-right corner of the timer window.
TIP: Pause an Active Timer
Once a timer has been started, you can pause it by clicking PAUSE TIMER.
Repeat the steps above to create additional timers.
Switch Between Timers
Create as many timers as you’d like and switch between them during your day.
Say you’re working on a project for MMM Media. But then John from ABC Studios calls unexpectedly. Sound familiar? If you need to switch between timers, here’s what you do:
Access the timer feature by clicking the clock icon on your navigation menu and you’ll be directed to your list of timers.
Then, find the timer associated with the project you need to work on and click on it. In the example below, we’ll click on ABC Studios, since we’d like to stop working on MMM Media and start working on ABC Studios.
Note: The active timer is always in red with a clock icon.
Then, click START TIMER to begin clocking time.
Time Tracking in Mobile App
Did you know you can track time right from the mobile app?
Search for "BigTime Mobile" in the Google Play or Apple App Store to get started with the mobile app. You'll be prompted to log in once you download and open the app. Your login credentials on mobile will be the same ones you use to access BigTime on desktop.