Do I need to set up each app manually?

Create a separate opening and closing automation for each app. Select the same app in the trigger and in Sandflow’s stopwatch action. Repeat the setup on each device you want to track.

Does Sandflow track websites?

No. Sandflow focuses on app sessions you choose to track.

Do I need Dynamic Island to use Sandflow?

No. Dynamic Island is available only on supported iPhones. On other supported iPhones, check the Lock Screen Live Activity and Sandflow’s in-app session history.

How Sandflow Tracks App Usage in Real Time

Updated October 15, 2026. Checked against Apple’s documentation and Sandflow’s in-app tutorial. Screen labels vary by iOS version and language.

Set up one app first

Use TikTok as the example, or replace it with your chosen app throughout. You need two automations: one to start timing and one to stop.

Install and open Sandflow and Apple’s Shortcuts app. Sandflow requires iOS 17 or later.
In Sandflow’s settings, turn on Show Dynamic Island for the live timer.
On iOS 18, 26, and 27, check Settings → Apps → Sandflow → Live Activities. On iOS 17, look under Settings → Sandflow → Live Activities. Enable Live Activities if the option appears.
Dynamic Island requires a supported iPhone. Without it, use the Lock Screen Live Activity and the app’s history.

Use the same app in both the trigger and the Sandflow action.
When	Sandflow action	Action’s App selection
TikTok Is Opened	Start stopwatch	TikTok
TikTok Is Closed	Stop stopwatch	TikTok

Choose Sandflow’s actions, not Clock’s stopwatch actions. They may appear as #1 🟢 Start stopwatch and #2 🔴 Stop stopwatch. Do not combine both triggers into one automation.

Create the pair on iOS 17–26

1. Start the timer when the app opens

Open Shortcuts → Automation. Tap + or Create Personal Automation.
Choose App, tap Choose, and select only TikTok.
Select Is Opened and Run Immediately, then tap Next. If your version shows Ask Before Running instead, turn it off and confirm.
Choose New Blank Automation, then Add Action. Search for Sandflow’s Start stopwatch action.
Tap the action’s App field and select TikTok again. This is separate from choosing the trigger app.
Save with Done, completing any remaining confirmation screen.

2. Stop the timer when you leave the app

Create a second App automation for TikTok.
Select only Is Closed, allow it to run immediately, then continue.
Add Sandflow’s Stop stopwatch action and set its App field to TikTok.
Save. Keep both the opening and closing automations enabled.

Shortcuts trigger with TikTok, Is Opened, and Run Immediately selected — From Sandflow’s existing iOS tutorial: select one app and run the opening trigger immediately.

Sandflow Start stopwatch action with TikTok selected in the App field — Select the same app inside the action. These tutorial images show the earlier Shortcuts layout, not iOS 27.

Create the pair on iOS 27

Apple’s iOS 27 guide attaches automation triggers to shortcuts. Use this path if your Shortcuts app shows Edit → Automation.

Create a shortcut containing Sandflow’s Start stopwatch action. Set its App field to TikTok and give the shortcut a clear name, such as “Start TikTok timer”.
Open that shortcut and choose Edit → Automation. Choose the App trigger, TikTok, and Is Opened.
Create a second shortcut with Sandflow’s Stop stopwatch action and TikTok as its App. Attach the Is Closed trigger for TikTok.
For each shortcut, follow Apple’s automatic-running instructions: Edit → Info → Privacy → Allow Running When Locked. Complete any permission prompts, then check both triggers below.

See Apple’s current automation instructions for this layout. If your phone still shows the Automation-tab layout, use the earlier steps.

Check opening and closing before adding more apps

Open TikTok and leave it onscreen briefly. Check that the timer starts without a confirmation request.
Return to the Home Screen or switch to an untracked app. Check that the live timer ends.
Open Sandflow and check that the session was recorded for TikTok. Reopen TikTok to check that a new session starts.
Only after both triggers work, repeat the pair for another app. Personal automations must also be configured separately on each device.

You do not need to force-quit TikTok. Apple’s app trigger also reacts when you switch into or away from the selected app.

If the timer does not behave as expected

The action is missing or times the wrong app

Open Sandflow once, then search for its actions again in Shortcuts. Check the app icon so you do not choose Clock’s stopwatch. Select the same app in the trigger and the action’s App field.

The timer starts but keeps running after you leave

Check that the separate Is Closed automation is enabled and contains Stop stopwatch. Remove duplicate automations for the same app, then repeat the opening-and-closing check.

Usage is recorded, but no live timer appears

Check Show Dynamic Island in Sandflow and the app’s Live Activities setting in iOS. On an iPhone without Dynamic Island, look on the Lock Screen instead. Allow any Live Activity prompt your phone presents.

Shortcuts asks for confirmation every time

Check automatic-running settings for both automations. On the earlier layout, choose Run Immediately or disable Ask Before Running. On the iOS 27 layout, follow the Privacy setting described above.

If a plan or access message appears, follow the options shown in Sandflow. If the pair still fails, contact support with your device model, iOS version, chosen app, and which check failed.