HypeChime FAQ: Ambient Clock App for iPhone & iPad

What is HypeChime?

HypeChime turns your iPhone or iPad into a beautiful ambient clock — part timepiece, part visual experience.

Instead of treating the clock as something you glance at and forget, HypeChime turns the screen into a canvas for cinematic artwork and visual moments.

A clock. A canvas. A moment worth waiting for.

What makes HypeChime different from a regular clock?

Most clocks are designed to disappear into the background. HypeChime is designed to make you want to look.

Your time is displayed over curated cinematic artwork, creating an ambient experience that can change with your mood, your surroundings, or the moment you're waiting for.

What can I use HypeChime for?

Anywhere you'd like a beautiful, glanceable clock.

Use it on your desk while you work, on a nightstand, while charging, or simply whenever you want your phone to become something more than a phone.

Does HypeChime keep my screen on?

By default, no. HypeChime follows your iPhone’s Auto-Lock setting, so your phone locks as usual, even on a charger. To keep the clock on, open Settings in the app and choose an Always-On Display option:

Off (default): your phone locks as usual.
On (Unlock): the screen stays on while charging and your phone stays unlocked, so anyone who can reach it could use it. Only choose this if the phone is somewhere secure.
On (Lock) — Recommended: the screen stays on and your phone is pinned to HypeChime with Guided Access, so nobody can leave the clock without your passcode.

Adaptive brightness and dimming help make longer sessions comfortable and reduce unnecessary screen brightness. Actual screen behavior can vary depending on your device, iOS settings, and power state.

How do I set up Guided Access for On (Lock)?

One-time setup: open Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access and turn it on. Set a Guided Access passcode (turn on Face ID if you like). Then, under Accessibility Shortcut, choose Guided Access.

Each time: open HypeChime, triple-click the side button and tap Start. To leave, triple-click and enter your passcode. The app shows these steps with pictures when you choose On (Lock).

Guided Access says it’s unavailable or won’t start

Restart your iPhone and try again. If it still refuses, wait a little while — iOS can briefly block Guided Access after it has been started and stopped several times. Also check that Guided Access is turned on and that the Accessibility Shortcut is set to Guided Access.

Why can’t I buy poster packs or open Privacy and FAQ while Guided Access is on?

Guided Access pins your phone to HypeChime, so purchases and links that open Safari or Mail are turned off while it’s running. End Guided Access (triple-click and enter your passcode) to use them.

What kind of artwork does HypeChime use?

HypeChime uses curated cinematic photography, gradients, and original poster-style artwork created specifically for the experience.

The goal isn't simply to give you a wallpaper. It's to create visual worlds that work together with the clock.

Can I change the artwork?

Yes. You can browse the available artwork and choose the experience you want to see. HypeChime can also shuffle artwork so the clock can feel different from one moment to the next.

Do I need an account?

No.

HypeChime is designed to be simple. Open it and start using it without creating an account or signing in.

Does HypeChime have ads?

No. HypeChime does not use advertising.

Does HypeChime track me?

HypeChime is designed with privacy in mind and does not require an account or personal profile to use the core clock experience.

For the most current information about data practices, please see our Privacy Policy.

How does HypeChime make money?

HypeChime starts with a free core experience.

Additional cinematic poster collections may be offered as optional one-time purchases. There are no subscription plans for these collections.

What is the HypeChime Alpha?

The alpha is the beginning.

We're inviting a small group of people to experience HypeChime before the public launch and help us discover what works, what doesn't, and what should come next.

You'll be using an early version of the product, so you may encounter rough edges or unfinished details. That's part of being early.

What do alpha testers actually do?

Use HypeChime normally and tell us what you think.

We're interested in how the clock feels in real life — while you're working, relaxing, charging your phone, or simply waiting for something.

Your feedback can help shape the clock experience, artwork, usability, and future direction of HypeChime.

How do I join the alpha?

Start by completing the short alpha signup form.

If selected for the current testing group, you'll receive instructions for accessing HypeChime through Apple's TestFlight.

Which devices are supported?

HypeChime works on iPhone and iPad running iOS 17 or later (iPadOS 17 or later).

Some extras need a newer version of iOS or a device that supports them, and they only appear where they’re available.

Is HypeChime finished?

Not yet — and that's exactly why you're here.

HypeChime is still being shaped. The alpha gives early testers a chance to experience the idea while there's still time to influence how it evolves.

Where can I send feedback?

We'd love to hear from you.

You can send questions, feedback, or anything you discover during testing to hypechime@yahoo.com.