Counting down is better together

Planning a trip with friends? Organizing a party? Getting hyped for a concert together? A shared countdown lets everyone in your group see the same timer, building excitement and keeping everyone on the same page.

In this guide, we show you how to create shared countdowns with your friends using Reach, a free countdown app for iPhone and Android.

What is a shared countdown?

A shared countdown is an event timer that multiple people can join. When you share a countdown with friends:

Everyone sees the same countdown in their app
Everyone gets reminders as the date approaches
Everyone can add the event as a widget on their phone
The countdown stays synced across all devices

Think of it as a group chat, but for anticipation.

How to create a shared countdown

Step 1: Create your event

Open Reach and tap the + button
Add a title (e.g., "Bali Trip" or "Jake's Birthday")
Pick the date and time
Choose a background image or color
Tap Create

Step 2: Share it

You have two ways to share:

Option A: Share link

Open your countdown
Tap the Share button
Send the link via iMessage, WhatsApp, Instagram DM, or any messaging app
Anyone who taps the link joins the countdown automatically

Option B: Add friends directly

Open your countdown
Tap Add a friend
Select a friend you want to add

Step 3: Everyone sees it

Once your friends join, the countdown appears in their Reach feed. They can:

See the real-time countdown
Add it as a widget to their home or lock screen
Get notified as the event approaches

Best events to share with friends

Group trips. Everyone sees the same departure countdown.
Birthday parties. Build hype for the celebration.
Concerts & festivals. Your whole crew counting down together.
Graduation. The whole friend group sharing the milestone.
Reunions. Especially for friends in different cities.
Game day. Big match? Count it down together.
New Year's Eve. The original shared countdown.

Tips for shared countdowns

Use a fun custom image. A group photo or meme makes the countdown more personal.
Set it to the exact time. Not just the date, but the time (e.g., flight departure at 7:15 AM).
Enable reminders. So everyone gets a heads-up before the event.
Add the widget. Encourage your friends to add the countdown widget so they see it every day.

Why Reach is great for shared countdowns

Reach was built from the ground up with sharing in mind:

Free. No subscription needed for shared countdowns.
Cross-platform. Works on both iPhone and Android.
Beautiful widgets. Everyone can add the shared countdown to their home screen.
No ads. A clean, distraction-free experience.