Google Clock is fine, but these 5 features would make it incredible

Joe Maring / Android AuthorityGoogle Clock might come preinstalled on several Android phones, but it’s not necessarily the best in its class. It’s not a particularly great alarm app, nor does it offer the range of timing features that more specialized apps do. It lurks somewhere in the middle, and its accessibility is the primary reason many use it.However, with just a few minor tweaks and upgrades, Google Clock could easily grow into one of Google’s gems. Looking over the fence at the host of other timing and alarm apps available on the market, here are just a few features I’d love to see Google integrate into its longstanding Clock app.Do you use Google Clock as your alarm app?622 votesAlarm tasks and challengesAndy Walker / Android AuthorityWhen I reviewed a quintet of Google Clock alternatives a few months ago, one standout feature that absolutely must come to the app is alarm tasks and challenges.After using the likes of Chrono and NFC Alarm Clock, I’ve grown used to solving various problems to disable the alarm rather than merely tapping a big stop button. The latter action can be accomplished by a half-sleep Andy pretty easily, whereas I need both brain hemispheres to complete a more complex conundrum.So, what are these “challenges” exactly? Well, taking a page out of Alarmy, NFC Alarm Clock, or Chrono’s books, these tasks could be anything from completing a mathematics problem to a traditional CAPTCHA.Challenges would force users to actively complete a task to disable their alarms.I’d also like to see options to scan an NFC tag or QR code — both, if stuck on the bathroom door or coffee machine in the kitchen, would encourage me to physically get out of bed to silence my alarm. Then there are sliding puzzles, photo challenges, and physical challenges, like a set of squats or lunges. These are just some of the tasks third-party alarm clocks can perform.As I mentioned, being forced to complete a challenge to dismiss an alarm has helped wake me up every single time I use the app. It wouldn’t be too difficult for Google to integrate; the company could build mirror functionality into Wear OS and Android’s sister platforms, ensuring that no user accidentally dismisses their alarm ever again.More robust alarm fail-safesAndy Walker / Android AuthorityDovetailing with challenges, Google Clock could do with more alarm fail-safes built into the experience. While the app’s audio volume escalation is certainly one of my favorite features, it isn’t enough for truly stubborn sleepers.What would these fail-safes look like? Imagine a maximum-volume vibration mode that triggers after a specified cut-off time? My alarm is set for 7:00 AM, I have a meeting at 7:45 AM, but it’s 7:18 AM, and I’m still sleeping. At 7:20 AM, without any intervention from me, this panic-mode alarm would sound with full sound and fury. This mode could be built to trigger an audio alarm on Wear OS or even call a contact after a specified period as a last-ditch effort to wake the user.Fail-safes would add another level of security in case the initial alarm doesn't do its job.I certainly don’t see such a mode necessary for use every single morning, but for those odd days when you have to wake up to catch a flight, the morning of check-out at a hotel, and for travelers who may be jetlagged and trying to adjust their schedule, it could be the difference between trouble and triumph.For snooze fiends, a snooze limit would be endlessly useful, while a “Wake up check” — a secondary alarm or notification that triggers 10 minutes or so after the alarm is dismissed — would be a welcome safety net for those who may have accidentally canceled their ringer and drifted off to sleep once again. This check could also be used to confirm that panic mode has been disabled.Better Bedtime Mode integrations and updatesAndy Walker / Android AuthorityI’ll admit that there’s a problem with modern Google apps harboring too much bloat, but there is such a thing as good bulk. Bedtime Mode is a great example of a useful addition. It integrates into Google Clock’s alarm feature and triggers various on-device settings that make phone use more hospitable at night and more accommodating in the morning. However, it hasn’t seen any new features in quite a while.Here are some upgrades I’d like to see on Google Clock’s Bedtime Mode: More Sleep sounds: At present, there are only a handful of built-in options available. I’d appreciate brown, pink, and white noise tracks without requiring Spotify or another streaming service. Support for additional integrations: The Upcoming events section, which pulls data from Google Calendar, is infinitely useful for viewing forthcoming events, but Google can certainly pull from more sources. Google Tasks, a weather forecast, and guidance on when to leave home to reach a destination (be it work or the first event of the day) would all enhance this section’s utility. More control over the Sunrise Alarm: One of Google Clock’s best features is its ability to slowly brighten the screen before the alarm actually sounds, but users have very little control over this process. Offering a few more settings, from the color displayed on the screen to when Sunrise Alarm actually triggers ahead of the audio alarm, would, again, add some welcome utility. A built-in Pomodoro timerAndy Walker / Android AuthorityI use the Pomodoro method to keep my day reliably plodding along. I’m currently using a separate app to keep my work and rest timings in check, but I’m always looking to slim down the number of apps I have installed on my phone. For that reason, I believe Google Clock could do with a built-in Pomodoro timer.This is an entirely selfish wish, but such a feature fits with Google’s overall focus on user wellness. A customizable Pomodoro timer would allow me to adjust work and rest intervals, determine how many sessions I complete before a longer rest, and keep a log of my progress throughout the day.I understand that some Google Clock users might see this as unnecessary bloat, but I believe it’ll benefit a host of Android users who use a separate Pomodoro app on their phones (like me).Customizable presets for timersAndy Walker / Android AuthorityFinally, speaking of timing specific periods, I can’t quite believe that Google Clock’s Timer page still lacks a list of recent and custom presets.I often use the app as a timer for cooking and baking, but each time I do, I have to enter the time manually. Not to sound entitled, this process requires at least three button presses, depending on the amount of time selected.Presets are available as widgets, but aren't accessible through the app itself. This could easily be reduced to a single tap if Google includes a quartet or more of presets that users can customize and instantly select when required. It’s a simple addition that other clock apps offer and one that would add immense value to a host of Google Clock users. Google Clock is a competent Android app that has the potential to be far better than it currently is. Whether it’s more robust alarm features, richer timing smarts, or more customization options, I’d like to see Google do a little more for this app that millions of Android users rely on daily.If you could improve Google Clock, what feature would you like to see added or refined? Let me know in the comments section below.Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.