How the math alarm works
When the alarm rings, Tiko shows an equation and you type the answer. Get it right and you move on to the next round. Finish every round and the alarm stops.
Get one wrong and the answer clears so you can try again. Miss a couple and Tiko swaps in a fresh question, so you're never stuck on one problem, but there's no way to skip ahead while you're half asleep.
Want to see it first? There's a two-question preview on our homepage.
Five difficulty levels
| Level | Example | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 7 + 5 | A gentle nudge |
| Normal | 24 − 9 | Most mornings |
| Hard | 8 × 7 | People who wake up and drift off again |
| Very hard | 36 ÷ 4 × 7 − 9 | Proper concentration |
| Extra difficult | (18 × 4) − 27 | Mornings you really can't miss |
Start lower than you think. A sum you can't crack at 6 a.m. is just an annoying noise, and an alarm you hate is one you'll end up switching off for good.
Choose your rounds
Set anywhere from 1 to 99 rounds, and you have to solve every one to stop the alarm. Two or three rounds at Normal is a good place to start: enough to wake you up properly, not so much that it feels like homework.
If you still find yourself back under the covers, raise the difficulty a notch before adding more rounds.
Get more out of a math alarm
- Put your phone across the room. You can solve math lying down, so make yourself get up to reach it.
- Pair it with a get-up mission. Set a second alarm a few minutes later that uses a QR code scan somewhere else in your home.
- Don't undo it with snoozes. Set a snooze limit, or read how to stop hitting snooze.
- Test it the evening before, so your first try isn't at 6 a.m.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an alarm that makes you do math?
Yes. Tiko's Math mission keeps the alarm ringing until you solve every equation. You choose the difficulty and how many rounds you need to complete.
Can I change the difficulty of the math alarm?
Yes. There are five levels, Easy, Normal, Hard, Very hard and Extra difficult, and you can set anywhere from 1 to 99 rounds.
What happens if I get a math question wrong?
Your answer clears and you can try again. After a wrong answer or two, Tiko gives you a new question. The alarm only stops once you finish every round.
Does the math alarm work on iPad?
Yes. Tiko is available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store and needs iOS or iPadOS 16.4 or later.
