Frequently asked questions

What does ShiftSleeper actually do?

It takes your shift schedule and generates a personalized sleep plan around it — including bedtime, wake time, pre-shift naps, caffeine cutoff, light exposure, and wind-down. Then it schedules notifications so you don't have to think about it.

Who is it for?

Nurses, doctors, EMS, police, firefighters, pilots, flight attendants, oil & gas workers, manufacturing, truckers, hospital staff, and anyone working a rotating roster.

Why not just use Apple's built-in Sleep app?

Apple's Sleep features assume a fixed nighttime sleep window. They block alarms set before midnight when you're trying to wake up at 4pm for a night shift. They don't understand rotating schedules. ShiftSleeper does.

Does it work without a subscription?

Yes. The free tier covers schedule input, the basic sleep plan, and notifications. Pro unlocks Apple Health sync, the Apple Watch app + complications, all rotation presets, calendar export, and advanced trends.

How much is Pro?

$6.99/month, $39/year (save 53%), or $79 one-time for Lifetime. All paid tiers include a 1-week free trial.

Does my data leave my phone?

No. Shifts, sleep plans, and your profile live on-device. There's no account, no email required, no servers we run. See Privacy for the full breakdown.

Which rotation patterns are supported?

Pitman, DuPont, Panama (2-2-3), Continental, 4-on/4-off, and Nurse 3×12 are built in as one-tap presets. You can also build custom shifts.

Does it work with Apple Watch?

Yes — there's a native Watch app showing your next shift, sleep window, and quick log buttons (nap, caffeine, wake). Complications show your next shift on the watch face. Requires watchOS 10+.

What about Lock Screen widgets?

Yes — Next Shift and Sleep Window widgets for Home Screen and Lock Screen. Pin them to see your day at a glance.

Will it interfere with my regular alarm?

No. ShiftSleeper uses notifications, not the system Clock alarm. They live side by side. You'll never lose your usual alarm.

Does it work offline?

Completely. Notifications are scheduled by your iPhone locally. No internet needed after install.

What devices does it support?

iPhone running iOS 17 or later. Apple Watch running watchOS 10 or later (Pro feature).

How do I cancel?

iPhone Settings → your name → Subscriptions → ShiftSleeper → Cancel. Cancellation takes effect at period end.

I have a feature request

Email hello@shiftsleeper.app. We read every one and prioritize what we hear most.