Smartphone timing app for mystery shopping (android)

Does anyone use a good timing app for shopping. I'm looking for something that when I hit button on my smartphone it saves the time but continues to run. For example if I walk in the front door I hit a button the time is saved 11:45am. Someone asks if I need help, I hit a button and it saves the time 11:52am... etc. Now I don't have to try to remember or input any of this, just look at the saved times later. Anyone come across anything like this?

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Mystery Shopwatch LITE is a free version that I've used for several months. Works well on Android, just download from the Play Store.

I tried it today, it worked pretty well (the paid version).

Mystery Shopwatch does what you want except that the app must be on screen and running, or the buttons will do nothing. If the buttons worked with the screen off, then I would pay for such a timer. But so far, Mystery Shopwatch is the best compromise I've found.

Just downloaded it and I will try it out and see.

I used this on a tablet, but I do not think they make it for the iPhone. While I was looking for it, I hound one called Best Multi Stopwatch that looks good.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2018 10:50PM by barbage.

I really want an app that will note the time when I hit the volume button. It is really hard to be casual while trying to find and press a moderately sized button on the screen of my phone using Mystery Shopwatch app. Besides that, I like Mystery Shopwatch.

@wwin wrote:

I really want an app that will note the time when I hit the volume button. It is really hard to be casual while trying to find and press a moderately sized button on the screen of my phone using Mystery Shopwatch app. Besides that, I like Mystery Shopwatch.

Ultrachron does this, I have spoken about it multiple times on this forum, you can do a search if you want more info. I have been using it for over 10 years. Lap times are set via volume buttons, hit each "lap" when you need a new timing.

Orlando - lightly shopping NC

oteixeira, do lap times set when you hit the volume buttons and the screen is turned off? This is the first time I've seen a post from you or anyone else about Ultrachron. I guess I've been reading the wrong post topics the last 5 years or so.

I have not been here 5 years, so sorry about that, I meant that I have responded in a bunch of recent posts about it. As for the app, the answer for ALL apps that I am aware of is no because:

1. If you have the screen locked the phone takes over the buttons
2. If you put the screen on home (no apps) the volume functions take over.

I put the phone in my pocket, and set the app so it is "always on", so the phone doesn't time out. Then all I need to do is tap the volume button at each timing. At the end of the shop I pull the phone out and have all my timings. Even if you reset the timer, it keeps a history of your past timings and laps, so you can go back to them a month or more later.

Orlando - lightly shopping NC

I use the ShopIt app designed for mystery shopping. It costs a buck or two, but it is worth it. (I have no affilaition with the app.) It looks like a texting program when open. You mark times with the volume button or by tapping the screen, and you can even type in notes.

I use shop it as well and really like it. You just tap the screen to mark time. But I haven't figured out how to keep the screen on without it going to sleep.

@mystery2me wrote:

I use the ShopIt app designed for mystery shopping. It costs a buck or two, but it is worth it. (I have no affilaition with the app.) It looks like a texting program when open. You mark times with the volume button or by tapping the screen, and you can even type in notes.

What about the lap function on the built in clock?

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

@oteixeira wrote:

I have not been here 5 years, so sorry about that, I meant that I have responded in a bunch of recent posts about it. As for the app, the answer for ALL apps that I am aware of is no because:

1. If you have the screen locked the phone takes over the buttons
2. If you put the screen on home (no apps) the volume functions take over.

I put the phone in my pocket, and set the app so it is "always on", so the phone doesn't time out. Then all I need to do is tap the volume button at each timing. At the end of the shop I pull the phone out and have all my timings. Even if you reset the timer, it keeps a history of your past timings and laps, so you can go back to them a month or more later.

I installed the FREE version to try. It is unfortunately missing one vital piece of information which renders it useless for my mystery shopping. It does not show the time of day in any of the columns. So "Mystery Shopwatch" despite not being perfect is still the best timing app currently available that I have found for mystery shopping.

@mystery2me wrote:

I use the ShopIt app designed for mystery shopping. It costs a buck or two, but it is worth it. (I have no affilaition with the app.) It looks like a texting program when open. You mark times with the volume button or by tapping the screen, and you can even type in notes.

Shopit costs a heck of a lot more than a buck or two. I have tried it on fine dining shops where you need to be discreet. I found it to be too cumbersome, but the developer is open-minded and may perhaps one day perfect the app so that it is more useful in fine dining situations.

Deleted duplicate post.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2018 02:59AM by AZwolfman.

I am in a one-party state, and I try to record everything on an audio app. I have used a rather cheap phones, and sometimes they wind up hitting the side of a building at 75 + miles an hour when they decided to start showing the weather or something. I have only had that problem with the free phones that you get when you are on disability or snap or one of those programs. But did it feel good watching that phone turn into shrapnel?

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Smartphone timing app for mystery shopping (android)

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