Why doesn't my cube timer stop when I tap?

Timers that need a small button, or that stop when you lift your finger, can register late. In Cubetick the whole screen is the stop area while timing, and the time is taken the moment your finger touches down, not when you lift it.

How is ao5 calculated?

Take your last 5 solves, drop the fastest and the slowest, and average the middle 3. ao12 drops best and worst of 12 and averages 10; ao50 and ao100 drop 5% from each end. A DNF counts as the slowest time.

Is there a free stackmat timer app?

Cubetick works like a stackmat on your phone: hold, release to start, touch to stop. All events and sessions are open from the start, and the app is supported by a small banner and occasional ads that never appear while you time.

Are events other than 3x3 locked?

No. 2x2 to 7x7, OH, BLD, Pyraminx, Skewb, Megaminx, Square-1 and Clock (all 13 WCA events) are unlocked from the start, and you can create unlimited sessions.

How does the 15-second inspection work?

Turn it on in settings to get 15 seconds before each solve. You get alerts at 8s and 12s; starting after 15s adds +2 and going past 17s records a DNF.

Will an ad pop up during a solve?

No. There is a small banner at the bottom and an occasional ad elsewhere, but never a full-screen ad while you time or right after a solve.

Where are my times saved, and can I back them up?

On your phone only, with no account. Each solve is saved immediately, and you can export to CSV and import it back.

Is there a free stackmat timer app?

Many phone cube timers offer the stackmat-style hold, release and tap-to-stop flow at no cost. Check that events and sessions aren't locked and that ads don't appear while you time.

Is a phone timer accurate enough?

If the app takes the time at touch-down, it's accurate enough for practice. Official results only come from competition stackmats.

Do I need to buy a stackmat?

Not unless you're preparing for competitions. Logging your averages on a phone timer is enough to track your progress.

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How to practice with a cube timer app, no stackmat

You don't need a stackmat timer to practice speedcubing. Lay your phone flat in front of the cube, hold the screen and release to start, then hit the screen when you're done, and you get nearly the same flow as a stackmat. The catch is that some apps register the stop late or show an ad that ruins the solve. Here is how to pick a good timer app and practice with it.

Use your phone like a stackmat

A stackmat starts when you lift both hands off the pads and stops when you put them back. On a phone, the closest match is holding the screen, releasing to start and touching anywhere to stop.

Lay the phone flat in portrait with the cube in front of it
Scramble, then hold your finger on the screen to get ready
Lift your finger and the timer starts
When you finish, slap or tap anywhere on the screen to stop

What makes a good cube timer app

For practice, stopping accurately matters most. If reviews keep saying 'my tap doesn't register' or 'missed my PB', skip that app.

Check	Good sign	Bad sign
Stopping	Touch anywhere, timed at touch-down	Small button, stops on lift
Ads	None while timing	Full-screen ad right after a solve
Events and sessions	All events, unlimited sessions	3x3 or sessions locked
Averages	ao5/ao12 trim best and worst	Plain divide by 5
Backup	CSV export and import	No export

Tips when practicing without a stackmat

Hitting the screen too hard can slide the phone into your cube, so put it on a non-slip mat. Turning on 15-second inspection helps you build the competition habit of planning your first steps.

A simple daily routine

Do two ao12s a day, then re-apply the scramble of your slowest solve to see where you got stuck. An app that saves the scramble with each time makes this review much easier.

Starting with Cubetick

Cubetick is an Android cube timer: hold, release to start, and it stops the instant you touch anywhere. All 13 WCA events and unlimited sessions are open from the start, and every solve saves a fresh scramble with its time. Ads never interrupt timing, data stays on your phone with no account, and you can back it up to CSV.

FAQ

Is there a free stackmat timer app?: Many phone cube timers offer the stackmat-style hold, release and tap-to-stop flow at no cost. Check that events and sessions aren't locked and that ads don't appear while you time.
Is a phone timer accurate enough?: If the app takes the time at touch-down, it's accurate enough for practice. Official results only come from competition stackmats.
Do I need to buy a stackmat?: Not unless you're preparing for competitions. Logging your averages on a phone timer is enough to track your progress.

No stackmat needed. Time your first ao5 today

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