How to count down to a big day on your phone

A wedding, a trip, a baby, the last day of exams. You keep doing the maths in your head. A countdown on your home screen does it for you, and watching the number shrink makes the wait feel shorter and the plans more real.

A countdown setup, then days since and countdown apps. Widget options differ by phone and app; check what your phone supports.

Countdown apps rising by visits and sponsorship on Censuus

A younger app from an independent developer:

Ranked by visit traffic and sponsorship on Censuus, not editorial opinion. The list changes as new apps appear and gain traffic.

Put it where you look

Add the event with its exact date, then place a countdown widget on your home or lock screen. For arranging widgets, see how to customize your iPhone home screen.

Turn waiting into planning

Add milestones on the way: book tickets, send invitations, pack. Each one gives the countdown a job. For trips, see how to plan a trip itinerary.

Count the days since, too

The same apps count up from a date: an anniversary, a sober streak, the day you moved. For yearly dates, see how to never forget a birthday.

Keep a few, not dozens

Choose a handful of dates that matter so the widget stays meaningful. Compare apps in days since apps.

Compared from each developer’s own store description.
Step	What you do	Why
1. Add the event	exact date and time	correct count
2. Add a widget	home or lock screen	see it every day
3. Add a photo	the place, the people	makes it personal
4. Set milestones	bookings, tasks, reminders	the wait has steps
5. Share it	with the people coming	everyone counts together

Frequently asked questions

How do I put a countdown on my home screen?

Install a countdown app, add your event with its date and place the app’s widget on your home screen.

Can a countdown app count days since an event?

Yes, many count both ways: days until a date and days since one.

Can I share a countdown with friends?

Some apps let you share an event so everyone sees the same countdown.