Home Companion apps Tracking time with the Mac and Windows desktop apps

Tracking time with the Mac and Windows desktop apps

Last updated on May 26, 2026

Timether’s Mac and Windows desktop apps let you track time without keeping the web dashboard open all day.

The desktop app is designed as a lightweight companion to the main Timether web app. It helps you start, pause, resume, and save timers quickly while keeping your time synced with your workspace.

What the desktop app is used for

The desktop app is best for quick time tracking during your workday.

You can use it to:

  • Start a timer

  • Pause an active timer

  • Resume a paused timer

  • Save tracked time

  • Reset the active timer

  • Select the correct workspace

  • Track time against available projects and clients

The app stays out of your way, so you can focus on your work while Timether keeps your timer connected to the core application.

Installing the desktop app

To install the desktop app:

  1. Download the Timether desktop app for your operating system.

  2. Open the installer for Mac or Windows.

  3. Follow the installation steps.

  4. Open the Timether desktop app.

  5. Connect your Timether account when prompted.

After connecting, the app will sync with your Timether workspace.

Connecting your Timether account

When you open the desktop app for the first time, you may be asked to connect your Timether account.

To connect:

  1. Click Connect account or Sign in.

  2. Timether will open the sign-in flow in your browser.

  3. Sign in to your Timether account.

  4. Select the workspace you want to connect.

  5. Approve the connection.

  6. Return to the desktop app.

Once connected, the desktop app will use your selected workspace for time tracking.

Switching workspaces in the desktop app

If you belong to more than one workspace, you can switch between them from the desktop app.

To switch workspaces:

  1. Open the desktop app.

  2. Click the current workspace name or workspace selector.

  3. Choose the workspace you want to use.

  4. The app will update the active workspace context.

After switching, the app will show the projects and clients available in that workspace.

Workspace scoping in the desktop app

Timether uses strict workspace scoping.

This means the desktop app only shows data from the workspace you are currently using.

For example:

  • You will only see projects from the active workspace.

  • You will only see clients from the active workspace.

  • You can only track time to projects that belong to the active workspace.

  • You cannot track time to a project from another workspace.

  • You cannot connect a time entry to a client from another workspace.

If a project or client is missing from the desktop app, check that you are using the correct workspace.

You may need to switch workspaces before starting the timer.

Starting a timer from the desktop app

To start tracking time:

  1. Open the Timether desktop app.

  2. Make sure the correct workspace is selected.

  3. Choose the project you are working on.

  4. Add a description if needed.

  5. Click Start.

The timer will begin tracking your work and sync with Timether.

Pausing and resuming a timer

If you need to stop temporarily, click Pause.

The timer will stop counting time but will keep the current tracked duration.

When you are ready to continue, click Resume.

The timer will continue from where it left off.

Saving tracked time

When you finish working, click Save.

Saving turns the active timer into a time entry inside your Timether workspace.

The saved entry will be available in the web dashboard, timesheets, reports, and invoices depending on your workspace plan and billing settings.

Resetting a timer

If you started a timer by mistake or do not want to keep the tracked time, click Reset.

Resetting clears the active timer without saving it.

Use this only when you want to discard the current timer.

Background tracking and syncing

The desktop app is designed to stay out of your way while you work.

Your timer activity syncs directly with the main Timether application, so your tracked time remains connected to your workspace.

This means timer activity from the desktop app can be reflected in the web dashboard and other connected Timether clients.

If you start tracking from the desktop app, you can still review and manage the saved entry later from the web dashboard.

What must be managed from the web dashboard

The desktop app is focused on time tracking.

Some workspace and management features are only available from the Timether web dashboard.

You must use the web dashboard to manage:

  • Clients

  • Projects

  • Tags

  • Invoices

  • Reports

  • Team members

  • Member capacity

  • Internal hourly costs

  • Profitability and margin reporting

  • Billing and subscription settings

  • Workspace branding

  • API tokens

Internal costs and margin reporting are management features. They cannot be configured from the desktop companion app.

Owners and Managers should visit the web dashboard to update internal hourly costs, expected weekly capacity, and profitability-related settings.

If the desktop app does not show the right data

If the desktop app does not show the project or client you expect, check the following:

  1. Make sure you are signed in to the correct Timether account.

  2. Make sure the correct workspace is selected.

  3. Check whether the project or client is archived.

  4. Confirm that the project and client belong to the active workspace.

  5. Open the web dashboard to confirm the project or client exists.

Because Timether keeps workspace data strictly separated, the desktop app will not show projects or clients from other workspaces.