Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Sessions: Therapist Timer

How do sessions start?

On their own. Add sessions on the iPhone, or import them from your calendar, and each one begins automatically at its scheduled time. There is no timer to remember to start.

What do the wrist taps mean?

One tap when a session starts, and again at the halfway point. Two taps when 5 minutes are left. Three taps when time is up. More taps means closer to the end.

Why keep the app open on my watch?

Taps are most precise when the Sessions watch app is open during a session. You'll get a notification at the start of every session with a button that opens it, and adding the Sessions complication to your watch face makes it a one tap habit.

Can I use Sessions without an Apple Watch?

Yes. Keep your iPhone on your desk or a stand: a full-screen timer shifts from green to red as the session winds down, and your lock screen shows a live countdown during sessions. Your phone also notifies you when each session starts, so you can open it. It stays quiet after that, on purpose. Milestone taps during a session are what the Apple Watch is for.

My client arrived early, or we started late. What do I do?

On the Today tab, controls appear on the session card at the right moment: Start Now on your next session shortly before its scheduled time, and Restart From Now on one already running. Either way, you choose between two options. Keep Full Length starts from the current moment and ends later; if that runs into your next session, later sessions shift back automatically until a gap in your schedule absorbs the delay. End On Time keeps the originally scheduled end, so the session is shorter and the rest of your day is untouched. Your watch and all alerts follow automatically.

How does End Session work?

Tap End Session on the running session's card when you wrap up early. The session ends immediately, your watch clears, and Insights records the actual time rather than the scheduled length.

Why are past days collapsed on the Schedule tab?

So the days ahead stay in focus. Each day that has already passed shows just its date and session count. Tap a past day to open it and see or edit those sessions.

How does calendar import work?

Open Calendar Setup Guide from the tip on the Today tab, or from Settings. Allow calendar access, choose the calendar that holds your appointments, and set your usual session length. Sessions then checks that calendar each time the app opens. Only start times are read. Names, notes, and other details never enter the app.

Some calendar events aren't sessions. Can I skip them?

Deleting an imported session hides that appointment from future imports. There is also a Settings toggle that automatically skips any event with "Supervision" in its title.

My calendar isn't in the list. How do I add it?

Sessions reads the same calendars as Apple's Calendar app. If your appointments aren't there yet, add the account on your iPhone: open the Settings app, go to Apps, then Calendar. Tap Calendar Accounts, then Add Account, sign in, and make sure Calendars is turned on. Your calendar will then show up in the setup guide.

What does Insights count?

Every completed session, with its actual length if you ended early. The Lifetime view can also include sessions from before you used the app: tap Edit on the Lifetime card at the top of Insights and enter your career total.

Where is my data stored?

On your devices, and in your personal iCloud if iCloud Backup is on (it is by default). There are no accounts and no servers, and nothing is ever sent to anyone. See the full privacy policy.

I got a new iPhone. How do I get my data back?

Install Sessions and sign in to the same iCloud account. Your history, schedule, and preferences restore automatically. If you use calendar import, you'll just pick your calendar again.

My watch didn't tap me. What should I check?

Three things: that the Sessions watch app is installed (the Apple Watch section in Settings shows this live), that notifications are allowed on the watch, and that the app was open on your wrist during the session. The Watch Setup Guide in Settings walks through all three.

Something else?

Email hello@maneetpaul.com and I'll get back to you.