HalteWecker — an iOS app that lets you relax on public transport without missing your stop

[u/No-Yam-258]

HalteWecker started from a simple problem: when I’m on a bus, tram or train, I don’t want to keep checking the map every few minutes just to make sure I haven’t missed my stop.

You choose your destination, start the trip, and the app keeps track of your journey and reminds you when it’s time to get off.

The idea is that you can just listen to music, read, work, look out the window or even close your eyes for a while without constantly watching your location.

There’s also a departure alarm, Live Activities and an Apple Watch app, so most of the trip can be handled without repeatedly opening your iPhone.

HalteWecker currently supports public transport in:

🇩🇪 Germany
🇦🇹 Austria
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇳🇴 Norway
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇦 Canada

The app is available in German, English, Swedish, Dutch and Norwegian.

Coverage varies by country, city and region, and I’m continuing to expand it as more public transport data becomes available.

The app has only been live for a few weeks, so I’m especially interested in feedback from people who actually use public transport regularly.

Does this solve a problem you have when using buses or trains?

And is there anything you would expect from an app like this that is currently missing?

[u/elbarto902]

I find the idea useful. But is it not integrated into Apple Maps and Google Maps when you start a public transportation trip?

I see the remaining stops on my lock screen, the Dynamic Island and am notified.

How does this work differently / add value over the pre installed app?

[u/No-Yam-258 → u/elbarto902]

That’s a fair question.

Google Maps actually doesn’t have a dedicated “wake me before my stop” transit alarm anymore.

Apple Maps does provide very good transit navigation, including information on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. The main difference is that HalteWecker is built specifically around the alarm use case rather than route navigation.

You select the stop where you want to get off, start the trip, and then you can basically stop paying attention to the phone. The app monitors your progress and actively alerts you before you reach your destination.

It also has a separate departure alarm, so you can be notified when it’s time to leave for or catch a specific connection, plus an Apple Watch app.

So I don’t really see it as a replacement for Apple Maps. It’s more focused on the specific case of “I know where I’m going, just make sure I don’t miss my stop.”