Welcome to the May 2026 installment of AnonyMouse’s App Pick of the Month, where each month I highlight a noteworthy new or updated app. This month’s pick is VAL: Voice, Alarm & Chimes, a fully customizable talking and chiming clock app for iPhone and Mac. I chose VAL this month because it finally does what so many apps in this category have promised but never quite delivered: a chiming clock experience that is genuinely accessible, deeply customizable, and clearly built with VoiceOver users in mind from the start.
The thing that stands out most to me is that VAL was designed for VoiceOver users from the beginning, not as an afterthought. That makes a real difference. I have been using some version of a chimes app since I got my first iPhone 3GS, and while those apps did the job, accessibility was never their strong suit. VAL changes that entirely. Everything is easy to navigate, clearly labeled, and works the way you expect it to.
What also sets VAL apart is just how much control it gives you over how your time sounds. The app includes high-quality recordings from real clocks (including Westminster chimes from a grandfather clock with tubular bells), but you can also import your own audio to create something completely personal. A favorite clock, a familiar voice, a custom soundscape — it is all on the table. You can choose announcements every 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and settings are saved per interval so you can experiment without losing your setup. If you need the time right away, there is a Speak Now button inside the app, or you can assign the Speak Time shortcut to your Action Button or Back Tap for quick access anywhere.
Alarms in VAL are built to cut through Focus and silent mode, quiet hours are available when you do not want to be interrupted, and Smart Scheduling lets you automatically switch between clocks based on time, date, or even local sunrise and sunset — all calculated on-device with no network required. For someone who has spent years working around the limitations of simpler apps, that level of thoughtfulness is hard to overstate.
In terms of value for money, VAL covers both iOS and macOS for a single purchase. For anyone who moves between iPhone and Mac throughout the day, that is a meaningful detail. You are not paying twice for the same app on different devices, and you can even share configurations between them using VAL’s built-in file format.
On a personal note, switching to VAL felt like the upgrade I did not know I had been waiting for. After years with apps that worked well enough but always had some accessibility rough edges, it is satisfying to use something built with users like me in mind from day one. That kind of intentional design goes a long way.
Why I’m Picking VAL This Month
I am picking VAL this month because it brings together accessibility, deep customization, and cross-platform value in a way that just works. If you have been relying on a chimes app that gets the job done but never feels quite right with VoiceOver, VAL is worth switching to. The design is clean, the setup is straightforward, and the fact that it covers both platforms for one purchase makes it an easy recommendation.
Download the App
VAL: Voice, Alarm & Chimes is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store. Download once and enjoy it across both platforms.
Download on the App Store
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you tried VAL yet? I would love to hear how it has been working for you, and what clock sounds or custom configurations you have put together. Drop it in the comments.
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