Time of Day Tracking
Capture timestamps at specific times
What you'll set up: A recurring automation that captures a timestamp at a specific time each day (or on selected days) - ideal for tracking medications, meals, routines, or any scheduled activity.
What You'll Need
- iPhone with iOS 16 or later
- Time Memos app installed
Step-by-Step Setup
Create a new automation
Open Shortcuts → Automation → tap +.
Select "Time of Day"
Tap Time of Day from the trigger list.
Set the time
Choose the time you want the automation to run.
Choose repeat frequency
Select which days the automation should run:
- Daily - every day
- Weekly - select specific days of the week
- Monthly - select specific days of the month
Add the Time Memos action
Tap New Blank Automation, then add "Capture Time Memo".
Configure with an appropriate emoji and label for your use case.
Set to run immediately
Select "Run Immediately" and tap Done.
What happens now
At your scheduled time(s), Time Memos will automatically capture a timestamp. This creates a consistent log you can review to track patterns, verify compliance, or simply document your daily routine.
Example Setups
Medication Tracking
| Time | Emoji | Label | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | 💊 | Morning medication | Daily |
| 8:00 PM | 💊 | Evening medication | Daily |
Meal Logging
| Time | Emoji | Label | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | 🍳 | Breakfast | Daily |
| 12:30 PM | 🥗 | Lunch | Weekdays |
| 6:30 PM | 🍽️ | Dinner | Daily |
Work Day Markers
| Time | Emoji | Label | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | 💼 | Work started | Weekdays |
| 5:00 PM | 🏠 | Work ended | Weekdays |
Sleep Schedule
| Time | Emoji | Label | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 PM | 😴 | Bedtime | Daily |
Pair this with a wake-up alarm automation to track your complete sleep schedule.
Pro Tips
Multiple Automations
Create separate automations for each event rather than one automation with multiple actions. This makes them easier to manage and modify individually.
Use Descriptive Labels
Include specific details in your labels. "Morning vitamins" is more useful than just "vitamins" when reviewing your history.
Disable When Not Needed
You can disable automations without deleting them. Tap the automation and toggle "Enable This Automation" off. Useful for vacations or schedule changes.
Troubleshooting
- Automation not running: Check that the automation is enabled and set to the correct days
- Running at wrong time: Verify your iPhone's time zone is set correctly in Settings
- Want notifications: Enable "Notify When Run" if you want to see when the automation triggers
Ready to try it?
Time Memos will be available on the App Store soon.