What does Apple Watch measure?
Apple describes heart rate measurements during workouts and periodic background readings. Background frequency varies with activity. Fit and other factors can affect readings. Read Apple’s explanation of heart rate measurement.
Heart rate is not an emotion. Timeout cannot read thoughts, decide who is right in an argument or establish why your heart rate changed.
What does Timeout do with the signals?
- You open a Window. The app starts a measurement session on your watch. You decide when to close it.
- The app looks for changes. It compares heart rate with an expected level, using movement and other available context.
- You may receive an alert. A tap on your wrist invites you to pause. You can start a 20-minute Timeout or indicate that you feel calm.
- You label your experience. Episodes with sufficient heart rate data can help adapt the model.
Measurement uses Apple’s workout-session mechanism, but the app does not save a workout to your history. Timeout’s effect on Activity rings and battery life over a full day has not been fully documented. This still needs testing.
What has not been established?
We have not published clinical studies of Timeout or figures showing how many arguments it prevents. We do not promise a particular warning time or accuracy. No alert does not mean you should continue a conversation, and an alert does not mean you are angry.
Your experience matters most. You can use the pause agreement without a watch. A self-regulation app is not the place to assess concerns about your heart rate or health.
What do you need to try it?
An iPhone with iOS 26 and an Apple Watch with watchOS 26. The phone app includes a demo with simulated heart rate. It shows the flow; it does not test whether the app will recognise your episodes. The app interface is Norwegian, and the app is available in the Norwegian App Store.
See pricing, privacy and product facts. Already using the app? Visit support.