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How to Run a Live Activity with Timer

Habitify avatar
Written by Habitify
Updated this week

Stay focused and track your progress in real-time with Habitify's Live Activity feature for iOS. This powerful tool displays a running timer for your habits directly on your iPhone's Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, helping you stay on task without having to keep the app open.

Please note: This feature requires an iPhone running iOS 16.1 or later.

Which Habits Work with Live Activities?

Live Activities are designed specifically for duration-based habits—those with a goal measured in minutes or hours.

Examples of compatible habits:

  • ✅ Reading for 30 minutes

  • ✅ Studying for 1 hour

  • ✅ Meditating for 15 minutes

  • ✅ Practicing piano

Examples of incompatible habits:

  • ❌ Drink 8 glasses of water (Count-based)

  • ❌ Take vitamins (Yes/No completion)

How to Enable Live Activities for Habitify

Before you can use this feature, you need to ensure Live Activities are enabled in your iPhone's settings.

  1. Open your iPhone's Settings app.

  2. Scroll down through your list of apps and tap on Habitify.

  3. On the Habitify settings screen, find the Live Activities option.

  4. Make sure the toggle is turned on (green).

Additionally, to ensure the activity appears on your Lock Screen, go back to the main Settings app, tap on Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and make sure the "Live Activities" toggle under the 'Allow Access When Locked' section is also turned on.

How to Start and Use a Live Activity Session

Getting a session started is simple. Just follow these steps:

  1. Open Habitify and navigate to the duration-based habit you want to start.

  2. You will see a "Start Timer" button next to the habit. Tap it to begin your session.

  3. Once the timer is running, you can lock your phone or switch to another app. The Live Activity will automatically appear on your Lock Screen or/and in the Dynamic Island, showing your progress.

Troubleshooting

Why don't I see the "Start Timer" button?

The "Start Timer" button only appears for habits with a duration-based goal (minutes or hours). If your habit is a simple Yes/No or count-based goal, the timer option will not be available.

The Live Activity is enabled but still doesn't appear?

Please try restarting your device. Also, ensure that your iPhone is not in Low Power Mode, which can sometimes restrict background activities.

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If you have any questions in addition, please feel free to share with us in the box chat of the app or at contact@habitify.me.

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