Aestu FAQ (EN)

Welcome to the Aestu FAQ.

Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about how the app works and why it was designed this way.

Design approach

What makes Aestu different from other timers?

I designed Aestu for people who find a changing number difficult to translate into a felt sense of time. This experience is often described as time blindness, including by some people with ADHD.

The liquid visualisation complements the numeric countdown. It is a design choice intended to make the remaining proportion easier to see at a glance; it is not a diagnostic or therapeutic feature.

Why are the fonts rounded and the numbers stable?

• A calmer visual tone: SF Pro Rounded supports the soft, approachable character I wanted for the interface.
• Visual stability: Monospaced digits keep the countdown from shifting horizontally as the numbers change.

Why do the colors change?

Colour helps distinguish the timer’s current state without relying on text alone. The number, labels and controls remain available so colour is never the only signal.

• Indigo: the normal focus state.
• Red: the final minute, when the end is close.
• Aqua green: a paused session.
• Orange: overtime after the planned end.

Core Features

What is “Overtime”?

Traditional timers that end at zero can interrupt flow or create a sense of failure if the task is not finished.

When Aestu reaches 00:00, it can continue counting upward in orange. This lets you finish your current thought while keeping the extra time visible. You can stop the session whenever you choose.

How does cooldown work?

Cooldown prevents a paused timer from being forgotten indefinitely.

• The 5-minute nudge: a gentle haptic reminder that the session is still paused.
• The 15-minute auto-stop: the session is saved and stopped automatically if you do not return.

These timings are product defaults, not medical recommendations. Adjust how you use the app to your own needs.

What is the Energy Level Tracker?

Attention and available energy can change during the day. The optional check-in gives you a simple way to note how a session felt.

By asking you “How do you feel?”

• 🟢 Energized
• 🟡 Neutral
• 🔴 Drained

the app can help you notice personal patterns over time. These observations are private productivity notes, not a health assessment.

Controls and Interaction

How do I set the time?

• On iPhone/Mac: Use the Circular Gesture. Click or touch and rotate your finger around the timer like turning a physical dial.
• On Apple Watch: Use the Digital Crown to adjust the time.

Why do I need to long-press to reset?

To prevent impulsive deletions.

I added a 1.5-second delay to the reset button to ensure you truly want to clear the session, protecting you from accidental slips.

Multi-platform use and sync

Why is Aestu on all my Apple devices?

I built Aestu as a native experience for iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch so the same timer and history can remain available when you change device.

Whether you are at your desk (Mac), on the move (iPhone), or away from screens (Watch), the context of your focus remains anchored and uninterrupted.

Do my data sync between devices?

Yes. Aestu uses iCloud Sync to keep history and settings consistent.

This means your history and settings can follow you without a separate Aestu account.

Where are my data stored?

Your data are stored securely in your private iCloud database.

I do not have access to your tasks, sessions, or energy levels.

Apple Watch

Does the timer work when the screen is off?

Yes. The app uses Extended Runtime Sessions to ensure the timer keeps running and vibrates on your wrist when it finishes, even if you lower your arm.

Can I control the timer from the watch face?

Yes, using Smart Stack widgets.

You can start, pause, or add extra time (“Panic Button”) directly from the watch face without opening the app.

Still have questions? Use the English contact page.