How can we help?

Starting a timer session is simple and takes just a few taps:

• Step 1: Open ShoreTimer when you're at the port, ideally while still on or near the ship.
• Step 2: Tap the large "Start Timer" button on the home screen.
• Step 3: Set your return time (the "All Aboard" time from your ship's daily schedule).
• Step 4: ShoreTimer captures your ship's GPS location automatically.

Once started, the countdown begins and you can explore with confidence knowing exactly how much time you have.

ShoreTimer needs location access to calculate your distance from the ship:

On iOS:

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services
• Find ShoreTimer and select "While Using the App" or "Always" for background alerts

On Android:

• Go to Settings > Apps > ShoreTimer > Permissions
• Enable Location and select "Allow all the time" for background alerts

For the best experience, we recommend enabling "Always" location access so you receive alerts even when the app is in the background.

The main timer screen shows all the information you need at a glance:

• Countdown Timer: Large display showing hours, minutes, and seconds until your return time.
• Distance: How far you are from your ship's location (in km or miles).
• Travel Time: Estimated time to walk or drive back to the ship.
• Status Indicator: Green when you have plenty of time, yellow when you should start heading back, red when time is critical.
• Map View: Tap the map icon to see your position relative to the ship.

ShoreTimer offers flexible alert options to match your preferences:

• Time-based alerts: Get notified at specific intervals (e.g., 1 hour, 30 minutes, 15 minutes before return time).
• Distance-based alerts: Receive alerts when you're getting too far from the ship.
• Smart alerts: Automatically calculated based on your distance and travel mode.

To configure: Go to Settings > Notifications and customize which alerts you want to receive.

Background tracking allows ShoreTimer to monitor your location and send alerts even when you're using other apps or your phone is locked.

To enable:

• Go to Settings > Motion in the app
• Toggle on "Background Location"
• Ensure your device's location permissions are set to "Always"

Battery note: Background tracking uses minimal battery. ShoreTimer is optimized to check your location periodically rather than continuously.

ShoreTimer calculates how long it will take you to get back to the ship based on:

• Walking: Assumes an average walking pace of ~5 km/h (3 mph).
• Driving: Estimates based on typical urban driving speeds.

You can switch between walking and driving modes by tapping the travel mode icon on the main screen.

Tip: Always add buffer time! Traffic, crowds, and unexpected delays can increase your actual travel time.

Store important contacts for quick access during your excursion:

• Go to the Info Vault tab
• Tap Emergency Contacts
• Tap the + button to add a new contact
• Enter the name and phone number

Recommended contacts: Ship's emergency line, travel companion, tour guide, local embassy.

Tap any saved contact to call them directly from the app.

Use notes to store important information for your trip:

• Go to Info Vault > Notes
• Tap + to create a new note
• Add a title and your content

Ideas for notes:

• Meeting points and times
• Restaurant reservations
• Must-see attractions
• Local phrases in the destination language
• WiFi passwords

Store your cruise details for quick reference:

• Go to Info Vault > Ship Info
• Enter your ship name, cruise line, and sailing dates
• Add your cabin number for easy reference

This information is stored locally on your device and helps you quickly recall important details when speaking with port authorities or taxi drivers.

ShoreTimer PRO unlocks unlimited timer sessions and premium features:

• Go to Settings > Subscription
• Choose Monthly or Annual plan
• Complete the purchase through the App Store or Google Play

PRO features include:

• Unlimited timer sessions
• Advanced alert customization
• Voyage Log with full history
• Cloud sync across devices (optional)

Annual subscribers get a 3-day free trial to explore all features.

If you've previously subscribed and need to restore your purchase:

• Go to Settings > Subscription
• Tap Restore Purchases
• Sign in with the same Apple ID or Google account used for the original purchase

Your subscription will be restored automatically. If you have issues, ensure you're signed in with the correct account.

Subscriptions are managed through your device's app store:

On iOS:

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions
• Find ShoreTimer and manage or cancel

On Android:

• Open Google Play Store
• Tap Menu > Subscriptions
• Find ShoreTimer and manage or cancel

You'll retain PRO access until the end of your current billing period.

ShoreTimer is designed with privacy in mind:

Local Storage (Default):

• All data stored on your device only
• No account required
• Complete privacy - we can't see your data

Cloud Storage (Optional):

• Requires creating an account
• Syncs data across multiple devices
• Encrypted and securely stored
• You can delete cloud data anytime

You choose what works best for you!

You have full control over your data:

Delete individual items:

• Swipe left on any session, contact, or note to delete it

Clear all local data:

• Go to Settings > Data > Clear All Data

Delete cloud data (if you have an account):

• Go to Settings > Account > Delete Account
• This permanently removes all cloud-stored data

For assistance, contact us.

Our full Privacy Policy explains exactly what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

Key points:

• We never sell your data
• Location is used for distance calculation only
• No account required to use the app
• You can delete your data anytime

If ShoreTimer can't detect your location, try these steps:

• Check permissions: Ensure location access is enabled in your device settings.
• Enable GPS: Make sure your device's GPS/Location Services is turned on.
• Go outside: GPS works best with a clear view of the sky. Indoor locations may have weak signals.
• Restart the app: Close and reopen ShoreTimer.
• Restart your device: Sometimes a device restart fixes location issues.

If problems persist, contact support with your device model and OS version.

If you're not receiving notifications:

• Check notification permissions: Go to your device settings and ensure ShoreTimer can send notifications.
• Check Do Not Disturb: Disable DND mode or add ShoreTimer to your allowed apps.
• Enable background location: Alerts require background location access to work when the app is closed.
• Check alert settings: Go to Settings > Notifications in the app and ensure alerts are enabled.
• Battery optimization: Some Android devices aggressively close background apps. See "Battery optimization" below.

Some devices may close ShoreTimer to save battery, which prevents alerts from working.

Android users:

• Go to Settings > Apps > ShoreTimer > Battery
• Select "Unrestricted" or "Don't optimize"
• On Samsung: Also check Settings > Device Care > Battery > App Power Management
• On Xiaomi: Check Settings > Battery > App Battery Saver

iOS users:

• Ensure Background App Refresh is enabled for ShoreTimer
• Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh