🛑 Open This Page on a Newer Device

To set up and manage a Day Clock, open this page in a newer web browser. The Day Clock itself is designed to run on older devices, but the caregiver interface requires a newer browser.

Day Clock

Day Clock is a free web app that shows the day, time, and date in a way that’s easy to understand for people with cognitive disabilities. It’s also designed to work on older phones and tablets, giving new life to unused devices. Caregivers can remotely set a custom message to be displayed on the clock.

Hardware Requirements

You need an unused phone or tablet to serve as the dedicated Day Clock.

Day Clock has been tested on iOS 9, and all iOS devices introduced since 2011 can be upgraded to iOS 9 or later. To check the version of iOS on a device, go to the Settings app > General > About and look for Version.

Day Clock may also work on Android and even older Apple iOS devices, but it has not been tested. Let me know if you have any success.

Installation

Perform the steps below on the device that will serve as the Day Clock.

Erase the Device (optional)

It is recommended, but optional, that you completely erase the device, so that no other apps interfere with the operation of the Day Clock.

  1. Go to the Settings Settings app icon app > General > Reset.
    Your device will be erased. Make sure you have a copy of any data that you want to keep.
    Tap “Erase All Content and Settings”, then “Erase” to confirm.
  2. Set up the device as a new iPhone/iPad, with no passcode, Apple ID, or Siri:
    • Choose your language, country, and Wi-Fi network.
    • Tap “Enable Location Services” (optional).
    • Tap “Passcode Options”, then “Don’t Add Passcode”, then “Continue”.
    • Tap “Set up as New iPhone/iPad”.
    • Tap “Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it?”, then “Set Up Later in Settings”, then “Don’t Use”.
    • Tap “Agree” to the Terms and Conditions.
    • Tap “Turn On Siri Later”.
    • Tap “Send to Apple” (optional).
    • Tap “Share with App Developers” (optional).
    • Finally, tap “Get Started”.

Prepare the Device

  1. Go to the Settings Settings app icon app > General > Accessibility > Guided Access (it’s near the bottom). Turn on Guided Access.
  2. Go to the Settings Settings app icon app > General > Auto-Lock, and choose Never.

Install the Day Clock

  1. Go to the Safari Safari app icon app and enter the web address

    ⚠︎ Don’t share this link. It contains a code that identifies your Day Clock.

  2. Tap the Share iOS share icon button, then “Add to Home Screen”, then “Add”. This installs the Day Clock web app.
  3. Press the Home button, then go to the Day Clock app.
  4. Triple-click the Home button, then tap Start to enter Guided Access. Set a Guided Access passcode to keep the device in this mode.

Put the Day Clock in Place

  1. Position your Day Clock as desired for the person who will use it. As the device can be confused for a regular phone or tablet, consider using tape or other means to fasten the device in place.
  2. Plug in the device and make sure it is charging.

Erase the Device (optional)

It is recommended, but optional, that you completely erase the device, so that no other apps interfere with the operation of the Day Clock.

  1. Go to the Settings Settings app icon app > General > Reset (or “Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad”).
    Your device will be erased. Make sure you have a copy of any data that you want to keep.
    Tap “Erase All Content and Settings”, then “Erase” to confirm.
  2. Set up the iPhone/iPad as a new device, without a passcode, Apple ID, or Siri:
    • Choose your language, country, and Wi-Fi network.
    • ???

Prepare the Device

  1. Go to the Settings Settings app icon app > General > Accessibility > Guided Access (it’s near the bottom).
    • Turn on Guided Access.
    • Turn on Mirror Display Auto-Lock.
  2. Go to the Settings Settings app icon app > General > Auto-Lock, and choose Never.

Install the Day Clock

  1. Open the Camera Camera app icon app and scan the code below:

    ⚠︎ Don’t share this link. It contains a code that identifies your Day Clock.

  2. Tap the Share Share button icon button, then “Add to Home Screen”, then “Add”. This installs the Day Clock web app.
  3. Go to the Home screen, then go to the Day Clock app.
  4. Triple-click the Side or Home button, then tap Start to enter Guided Access. Set a Guided Access passcode to keep the device in this mode.

Put the Day Clock in Place

  1. Position your Day Clock as desired for the person who will use it. As the device can be confused for a regular phone or tablet, consider using tape or other means to fasten the device in place.
  2. Plug in the device and make sure it is charging.

Customize Your Day Clock

Open the secret link below and bookmark it. This is the only way that you, the caregiver, can customize your Day Clock later.

⚠︎ Don’t share this link publicly. It contains a code that identifies your Day Clock.