Description of App
If you’ve ever tried to find a clock app that actually works the way you want, you’ve probably had to settle for less than ideal solutions. VAL changes that.
VAL is a fully customizable talking and chiming clock for iPhone and Mac.
Make Time Your Own
VAL supports a wide range of clock types, from spoken time announcements to traditional chimes. The app includes high-quality recordings from real clocks — including rich Westminster chimes from a grandfather clock with tubular bells.
You can also import your own audio to create something completely personal: a favorite clock, a familiar voice, or a custom soundscape. VAL gives you full control over how your time sounds.
Flexible Announcements
Choose announcements every 15, 30, or 60 minutes — or let each clock define its own schedule. Announcements continue even when the app is closed. Settings are saved per interval so you can experiment freely without losing your setup.
Need the time instantly? Tap Speak Now from inside the app, or assign the Speak Time shortcut to your Action Button or Back Tap for quick access anywhere.
Powerful Alarms
VAL’s alarms are built to cut through Focus and silent mode, while letting you use any compatible clock sound from your collection. Quiet hours are available when you'd rather not be interrupted.
Smart Scheduling
Automatically switch between clocks based on time, date, or events.
Wake up to one sound, wind down with another, or mark special occasions with custom audio. Schedules and quiet hours can even follow local sunrise and sunset — calculated entirely on your device, with no network required.
Easy Sharing
VAL uses a custom file format to share configurations. Move setups between iPhone and Mac, or share them with others — whether it’s a single setting or an entire clock collection.
Build Your Own Clocks
VAL supports 13 distinct clock methods — from simple digit-by-digit speech to syllable-level recordings that sound like natural conversation, classic Big Ben-style chimes, cuckoo clocks, and more. A full methods reference is built right into the app, so you have everything you need to craft a clock from scratch.
Already using Steve’s Talking Clock on Windows? VAL is fully backward compatible with all of its clock methods, so any clock you use there will work seamlessly.
Whether you rely on spoken time, enjoy the tradition of real clock chimes, or want to build a sound experience that’s entirely your own — VAL is the clock app for you. Download once, and enjoy across both your iPhone and Mac.
Comments
website
Thank you so much for posting to the directory.
My website is actually Quintonwilliams.me which I will be updating in the appstore for the next update and this static github page will no longer work.
Just as a quick FYI, but thank you again for adding to the directory.
Interesting
The price is to much for me almost 7$ with taxes. Long live cats.
Fantastic app
I preordered this app when it was announced on here and not looked back. If you want a fully customizable, fully accessible voice/chime clock this is it! Before Val I used to use VoiceOver Clock. While it was great it was nowhere near as customizable although the app was accessible and easy enough to use. Go for VoiceOver Clock if Val is out of reach for your budget. As they say you get what you pay for. Thank you for posting and thank you Quinton for a brilliant app! We await further updates!
Christopher Hallsworth
Nice but more likely I would use it for several months and later stop using it. Long live cats.
Meant for Clock enthusiasts
Some of us have a great enjoyment for clocks, and are willing to pay for an app with this much customizability and such a responsive developer. While I understand this app is not an interest to you, please be kind to those who do want it.
A fantatsic app for sure
This is a fantastic app. While I did not get the chance to pre-order, I did buy the thing and man it's a clock app I've always been looking for and more.
Thank you, again!
As the subject says, thank you!
I really want to give people their money's worth, and am working on a pretty significant 1.1 update which will have many new features suggested by people on applevis and the whatsapp community.
I do understand this kind of app is not for everyone, but I wanted to be as fair as possible with the pricing, hense the pre-order discount and the whatsapp community to make it easier for people to contact me.
If ever you change your mind, it'll be here and if not, that's okay too☺️.
Can you replace the native clock app?
Can you replace the native clock app of ios with this one? I.e, make it the default app? Also, how does it work i.e time etc wheen app is closed? I.e, say you restart your device and app isn't on app switcher but completely closed, will it still work? Btw Have some sounds from a I think its 100 years old by now? Grandfather clock I recorded professionally a few weaks ago that could be good for this app if your interested. Let me know. Gunna have to find out the clock's name because I've no idea what it is though haha.
yes, definitely interested!
Unfortunately, apple does not provide a way to change the default clock app, but yes it will survive app closure and device restarts.
As for the grandfather clock recordings, I am very very interested and would love to try them out.
regarding library post
I apologize, I'd wanted to rewrite the post about the library and will have it rewritten soon.
re yes, definitely interested!
Hi Quinton,
I sent you the sounds via link privately via the contact form in applevis so you can check them out.
Also, I got confused on the clock type, it’s not a grandfather clock. It’s a wall or pendulum clock if you will, but as I said, it’s very, very old. Over 100 years. I still have to figure out exactly the moddle name of the clock because to be frank, I have no idea, but i'll get back to you on that once I know the clock's brand, moddle not sure what's the best word for it, tomorrow by the latest.
And for the clock enthusiast's here, heck why not? Here's a preview of the clock chiming 12 times, once with mechanism included, and only the chimes alone, let me know what you think.
https://e.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZpmDrZX4x7QS1FxbFcEXtqbAhuoYLakMty
If anyone cannot find the play button, as voiceover doesn’t read all the element, if you scroll to the duration, which is about one minute and 20 seconds, if you swipe right three times from the duration, that is the play button.
This app is fire!!!
The subject says it. I absolutely love this application. As a few people have already said, this is the exact clock app for which I have been looking for years. Love the feature set, especially the import clocks, and the smart quiet hours features. I like to set my quiet hours from 9:02 pm, and sunrise the next day. I recommend this app to anyone, especially those who are vintage clock lovers, like myself!!! Great job.
so glad you're enjoying it!
Hi. I'm so glad you're enjoying the app. Even more customization options are in the works, along with plans for a community library so I hope you'll stick around. Just to be up front, the library will be a subscription, but will be completely optional and app functionality will remain unchanged otherwise. I'm looking forward to seeing what people come up with. Just in case not everyone is aware, I have a whatsapp community for the app which is linked below. Everyone is welcome!
For @Quinton Williams: What Do you Mean By "Subscription"?
Just curious: When you say "subscription", do you mean paid subscription, or AppleVis/email-forum-style subscription? In other words, is it a monthly or yearly payment, or are we adding our email addresses to a list and getting access to upload and download clocks from the community library?
subscription clarification
I'm referring to a paid subscription.
It will have both monthly and yearly options available, although amounts need to be worked out.
I wanted to mention it now for the sake of the utmost transparency.
Regarding email, optional email notifications will be supported for those who want them, along with moderation.
Some general help, please?
Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help me out a bit with this application. I have a clock imported into the app, but I don’t think it is working quite right. Here is an example. Note that this is method one. I have a bunch of wav files 0-9.wav. 11-19.wav, 20-29.wav, ETC. The clock has an hour1.wav and an hour2.wav.
lSystematicKaos!
However, when I imported the clock, I choose method one, the files still do not play correctly. My hour one and hour two files almost play at the same time. Hour one plays, the time is announced, then hour two plays right after the announcement. However, there is supposed to be a 1.5 second gap between the announcement and the second hour sound. As far as I can see, there is no way to preview how the hour will sound, unless it goes of at the top of the hour. Am I looking at this wrong? Is there a way to preview my hour sequence without waiting until the top of the hour? Thanks.
I've got you ☺️
hi.
For method 1, you only have to make files 1-12, plus the teens then 20, 30, 40, 50, and 00, along with o or 0.
Both serve the same purpose.
I hope this makes sense?
method 4 sounds more like what you're going for
Just another note, you could always have the clock be method 4.
If you have all files 1-59, it will qualify.
Clearification
Beside the 6$ something there is a subscription? How much is that. Long live cats. PS. You do not need a subscription for cats.
subscription and cats?
I'd say food, kitty litter, toys, bedding...
While not being a subscription on paper definitely count as monthly expenses.
To answer your question, there will be a community library within the app and on a website.
This is the only part which will have a subscription, but the app will still function as it currently does with no restrictions.
SOmething like Almost time?
Hello all:
before i purchase the app, can i set it to give me small alarm before each hour?
i was using a wonderful app called Almost time, that can do this trick.
Any help will be highly appreciated.
in response to Iconic
Hi.
The app can announce the time hourly, and includes two spoken options and 6 chiming options, but you can also import your own clocks.
If you've ever used Steve's talking clock on windows, those same clocks will work, and I may be able to link a specific clock in the comments if you tell me exactly what you're looking for ☺️.
VAL, invaluable
I preordered this app and looked forward to its release and was not disappointed. This app is so flexible and gives me a chiming clock I’ve always wanted at a fraction of the cost of buying an actual mechanical clock.
I will certainly take out a subscription to a library when it becomes available.
While I enjoy listening to my phone chiming the hours, I’m sick of hearing about the damned cat!!!!
thank you so much
Hi Malcolm.
Thank you again for your kind words.
I really appreciate that, and will be sure to make the subscription aspect as worth it as possible.
We've already built up a good selection of library candidates in the whatsapp community for when it launches, and I can't wait to see what others contribute.
Whatsapp community link
I posted it in the preorder thread, but thought I'd share it here. You can join the community. I hope to see some of you there ☺️.