Homebase offers several time clock options to help businesses accurately track time across one or many locations, stores, and job sites. As employees clock in and out, Homebase generates detailed, compliant time cards and payroll-ready timesheets. All time clocks are available in English or Spanish.
Note: For information on where to view your employee's clock in and out times/ hours worked, please visit our Timesheets and Payroll Prep support article.
In this article you will find:
The Homebase Time Clocks YouTube Tutorial
iPad Tablet Time Clock
Android Tablet Time Clock
Mobile Time Clock for iPhone
Mobile Time Clock for Android
Web time clock for Computers
Disable time tracking
Tablet Time Clock
If you are a brick and mortar business, or are a company where your employees come to a location to work, we recommend our iPad time clock app, Android time clock app, or mobile time clock. (Recommended for: food and beverage, retail, manufacturing, warehouses, etc).
Note: The Android time clock app is available on Android tablets that have the Google Play Store only. Kindle Fire tablets are not recommended.
iPad Tablet Time Clock
Homebase currently supports iPad Time Clock versions 4.0 and above.
The Homebase iPad time clock app works on nearly any iPad device with iOS 10 or above. It is available for free download in the iTunes App store, and it works with the free and paid Homebase plans. We strongly recommend that you update any devices to the latest Apple Operating System in order to get the best experience.
Note: Devices that cannot update to iOS 10 will remain on time clock version 2.5.10.
Sign in
Only people with Owner, General Manager or Manager permissions may sign in to the iPad. Once you have signed into the iPad time clock, the time clock app will stay logged in until you sign out or update the app in the app store.
If you have already signed up for Homebase:
- Enter your email address and password
- Tap sign in
If you have owner or manager permissions at more than one company that uses Homebase, or if you have these permissions at different locations for the same company, you will see a location picker. Select the location for this iPad time clock. The time clock can only be logged into one location at a time.
- To sign out, tap the menu on the upper left of the screen
- Tap sign out
If you have not yet signed up for Homebase, tap create your free account.
This will open a web browser on your iPad. (You can also create a free account using your computer)
Once you’ve completed account set up, return to the main app page and sign in using the email and password you used to create your new account.
Employee PIN numbers
Once you’re signed in to the app, you’ll see the PIN screen.
Homebase assigns each employee a unique PIN code when you add them to your team Roster. You can find PIN numbers by signing into the web app at joinhomebase.com> Team >Roster> Locations & Pins.
Employees receive their PIN number via email (if an email is provided); the PIN is also included at the bottom of the “More” screen of the employee version of the Homebase mobile app.
Clock in and clock out
Each person using the time clock to clock in, take a break, or clock out, must enter a valid PIN number to clock in or clock out.
The app takes a photo of the employee each time they PIN in and attaches each photo to the time card.
Once the employee has clocked in, Homebase creates a time card for that shift and captures the photo for each activity. Time cards are found on the web. Once you arrive on the timesheets page, adjust the desired date range in the upper left corner, and make sure you are on “detailed view” not “summary view”.
Owners and managers can view, adjust and export timecards from that page.
Employees are unable to adjust time cards, and are only capable of viewing their own hours worked.
Breaks on the time clock
If breaks are set up for the location, they will appear on the iPad timeclock.
For clocked in employees, break options will show upon their next PIN in.
Employees on break must end their break before the clock out.
Visit the break settings page to view break requirements for your state and to set up breaks.
Post shift activities
Shift Feedback
You can collect post shift ratings and feedback from your team from the iPad time clock.
Visit the time clock settings page and opt into “Ask employees for feedback at the end of their shift.”
Once this setting is on, your team will see an optional star rating and an optional text box upon clock out.
When your team enters feedback, you’ll see a summary on your location dashboard; you can find detailed feedback on your shift feedback reports page.
Cash tips
If you would like your team to declare cash tips at the end of each shift, visit the time clock page and opt into “Employees should declare cash tips at the end of their shift.”
Once this setting is on, your team will see an optional cash tip entry text box upon clock out.
When your team enters cash tips, you’ll see the amounts on the timesheet for that day.
Be sure to select the “cash tips” option in the “Edit columns” tool on the timesheet page.
Schedule View
If you create a schedule for your location, anyone on the team can access it from the iPad time clock.
To access schedule view:
- Tap the schedule icon left side of the screen
- Week view shows the schedule for the entire week.
- Day view shows the days schedule and clock in status for each member of the team.
- Visit your schedule page online to create and update your schedule.
Language Options
The Homebase iPad time clock works in English or Spanish.
Language settings for the location are set in your iPad settings. Once you’ve selected your general settings, the selection will be the default language for all users on the iPad.
- Visit Settings > General > Language & Region
- Select your desired language (English or Spanish)
Individual employees may also set their language.
Employee language settings only appear once they are PINned in.
Employees can set their language on the time clock or in their individual profile on the Homebase mobile app.
Set Up
The Homebase time clock is a powerful tool with many settings and features.
Visit the time clock settings page and the schedule setting page to enable the settings that will allow you to get the most out of your time clock.
Popular settings & features include:
- Shift notes that appear on the schedule and upon clock in for each team
- Time clock rounding to speed payroll calculations
- Unscheduled role selection to capture detailed wage and role info for ad hoc clock ins
- Overtime and holiday pay rates
- Missed break awards to stay compliant
- Converting excess paid break time to unpaid time to stay on budget
- Prevent early clock ins (with manager override capability) and save hundreds of dollars a year in early clock ins. (Requires schedule use)
- Prevent employees from ending breaks early SME and push notifications to remind employees to clock out
Multiple iPads
You may use as many iPad time clocks in each location as you like. Provided that each iPad maintains connectivity to the internet, they will sync within a second or two for any activity. You must have a stable internet connection to use the Homebase tablet time clock.
If you are using multiple iPads and you lose internet connectivity, encourage your team to use only ONE iPad for all time clock activities.
Offline Mode
If your iPad loses connectivity to the internet, you may continue to use the iPad time clock.
To ensure accuracy and timeliness, Homebase imposes a 30 hour limit on the amount of time you can use the iPad time clock without connecting to the internet.
During offline mode, your team can clock in, clock out, start a break and end a break.
Scheduled shifts will not appear in offline mode.
Manager permissions for early clock in and early break end will not be enabled.
If you use more than one iPad, they will not sync when offline, so if an employee clocks in on one iPad, the second iPad will not reflect that clock in. If you lose connectivity on all iPads, encourage your team to use only one iPad for time clock activities.
Time cards are not updated until the iPad is connected to the internet, so you may see late arrivals and no-shows on your dashboard and timesheets until your connectivity is restored.
It is important that you restore connectivity on your iPad(s) as quickly as possible.
Version Number
To see the version number of the Time Clock app, the "hamburger" menu in the upper left corner of the iPad screen.
You'll see the version number in the menu that opens from the left.
Android Tablet Time Clock
The Homebase Android time clock app works on nearly any Android device. It is available for free download in the Google Play store, and it works with the free and paid Homebase plans.
Get the Android time clock
If you have already signed up for Homebase:
- From your Android tablet, visit the Google Play Store
- Search for Homebase or tap this link
- Download the app onto your Android tablet
Sign in
Only people with Owner, General Manager or Manager permissions may sign in to the iPad. Once you have signed into the iPad time clock, the time clock app will stay logged in until you sign out or update the app in the app store.
If you have already signed up for Homebase:
- Enter your email address and password
- Tap sign in
If you have owner or manager permissions at more than one company that uses Homebase, or if you have these permissions at different locations for the same company, you will see a location picker. Select the location for this time clock. The time clock can only be logged into one location at a time.
- To sign out, tap the menu on the upper left of the screen
- Tap sign out
If you have not yet signed up for Homebase, tap create your free account.
This will open a web browser on your tablet. (You can also create a free account using your computer.)
Once you’ve completed account set up, return to the main app page and sign in using the email and password you used to create your new account.
Employee PIN numbers
Once you’re signed in to the app, you’ll see the PIN screen.
Homebase assigns each employee a unique PIN code when you add them to your team Roster. You can find PIN numbers by signing into the web app at joinhomebase.com> Team >Roster> Locations & Pins.
Employees receive their PIN number via email (if an email is provided); the PIN is also included at the bottom of the “More” screen of the employee version of the Homebase mobile app.
Clock in and clock out
Each person using the time clock to clock in, take a break, or clock out, must enter a valid PIN number to clock in or clock out.
The app takes a photo of the employee each time they PIN in and attaches each photo to the time card.
Once the employee has clocked in, Homebase creates a time card for that shift and captures the photo for each activity. Time cards are found on the web. Once you arrive on the timesheets page, adjust the desired date range in the upper left corner, and make sure you are on “detailed view” not “summary view”.
Owners and managers can view, adjust, and export timecards from that page.
Employees are unable to adjust time cards, and are only capable of viewing their own hours worked.
Breaks on the time clock
If breaks are set up for the location, they will appear on the timeclock.
For clocked in employees, break options will appear upon their next PIN in.
Employees on break must end their break before they clock out.
Visit the break settings page to view break requirements for your state and to set up breaks.
Post shift activities
Shift Feedback
You can collect post shift ratings and feedback from your team from the iPad time clock.
Visit the time clock settings page and opt into “Ask employees for feedback at the end of their shift.”
Once this setting is on, your team will see an optional star rating and an optional text box upon clock out.
When your team enters feedback, you’ll see a summary on your location dashboard; you can find detailed feedback on your shift feedback reports page.
Cash tips
If you would like your team to declare cash tips at the end of each shift, visit Settings > Time Clock Options and opt into “Employees should declare cash tips at the end of their shift.”
Once this setting is on, your team will see an optional cash tip entry text box upon clock out.
When your team enters cash tips, you’ll see the amounts on the timesheet for that day.
Be sure to select the “cash tips” option in the “Edit columns” tool on upper right side of the timesheet page.
Schedule View
If you create a schedule for your location, anyone on the team can access it from the iPad time clock.
To access schedule view:
- Tap the schedule icon left side of the screen
- Week view shows the schedule for the entire week.
- Day view shows the days schedule and clock in status for each member of the team.
Visit your schedule page online to create and update your schedule.
Language Options
The Homebase time clock works in English or Spanish.
Language settings for the location are set in your iPad settings. Once you’ve selected your general settings, the selection will be the default language for all users on the iPad.
- Visit Settings > General > Language & Region
- Select your desired language (English or Spanish)
Individual employees may also set their language.
Employee language settings only appear once they are PINned in.
Employees can set their language on the time clock or in their individual profile on the Homebase mobile app.
Set Up
The Homebase time clock is a powerful tool with many settings and features.
Visit the time clock settings page and the schedule setting page to enable the settings that will allow you to get the most out of your time clock.
Popular settings & features include:
- Shift notes that appear on the schedule and upon clock in for each team
- Time clock rounding to speed payroll calculations
- Unscheduled role selection to capture detailed wage and role info for ad hoc clock ins
- Overtime and holiday pay rates
- Missed break awards to stay compliant
- Converting excess paid break time to unpaid time to stay on budget
- Prevent early clock ins (with manager override capability) and save hundreds of dollars a year in early clock ins. (Requires schedule use)
- Prevent employees from ending breaks early SME and push notifications to remind employees to clock out
Multiple iPads
You may use as many iPad time clocks in each location as you like. Provided that each iPad maintains connectivity to the internet, they will sync within a second or two for any activity. You must have a stable internet connection to use the Homebase tablet time clock.
If you are using multiple iPads and you lose internet connectivity, encourage your team to use only ONE iPad for all time clock activities.
Assuming that all devices are connected to the internet, you may use one or many types of time clock for your location, and activities will sync across the system within minutes. Visit the time clock settings page to learn more about your time clock options.
Offline Mode
If your iPad loses connectivity to the internet, you may continue to use the iPad time clock.
To ensure accuracy and timeliness, Homebase imposes a 30 hour limit on the amount of time you can use the iPad time clock without connecting to the internet.
During offline mode, your team can clock in, clock out, start a break and end a break.
Scheduled shifts will not appear in offline mode.
Manager permissions for early clock in and early break end will not be enabled.
If you use more than one iPad, they will not sync when offline, so if an employee clocks in on one iPad, the second iPad will not reflect that clock in. If you lose connectivity on all iPads, encourage your team to use only one iPad for time clock activities.
Time cards are not updated until the iPad is connected to the internet, so you may see late arrivals and no-shows on your dashboard and timesheets until your connectivity is restored.
It is important that you restore connectivity on your iPad(s) as quickly as possible.
Mobile Time Clock
The Homebase Mobile Time Clock, is a good fit for remote and field employees, and is used by all kinds of businesses. When enabled by an owner or manager, gives employees the ability to clock in from their mobile app. Mobile time tracking is available on our paid plans.
The mobile time clock captures GPS location upon clock in/out. The mobile time clock includes the ability to set a boundary within which employees may clock in/out.
Download the Homebase mobile app for free from the App Store or Google Play store.
Enable the Mobile Time Clock:
- Sign into your Homebase account on the web at joinhomebase.com
- Select Settings
- Select Time Clock Options
- Check the box that read “Mobile Time Clock”
- Additional options: Allow unscheduled employees to clock in and Set a geo-fence
- Save Changes
- Only one geo-fence can be set up for each location in Homebase
How employees clock in:
- Open the Homebase mobile app
- Tap the clock icon
- Confirm clock in
- If a geo-fence has been set up, the app will only allow clock in when employees are within the geo-fence.
Viewing the location of mobile clock ins:
- Select Timesheets on the web or on the mobile app
- Select the correct date range
- Select the camera icon or map icon on the time card you have selected.
Web Time Clock
Homebase has two Web Time Clocks:
- Shared Web Time Clock - This can be set up on a shared computer where employees must use their PIN to clock in
- Personal Web Time Clock - This can be used on a personal computer where it enables the logged-in employee to clock in.
Set up the Web Time Clock
- Sign into your Homebase account.
- Select Settings
- Select Time Clock Options
- Check the box next to Allow employees to launch the web time clock from their own computer
Disable time tracking
Homebase allows you to use scheduling without time tracking.
- Sign in to your Homebase account.
- Select Settings in the top navigation bar.
- Select Time Clock Options in the left navigation.
- Select Disable Time Tracking beneath the selection of time clocks.
- Save Changes in the top right corner.
- The Timesheets tab will be removed from the top navigation bar when time tracking is disabled.
Still not sure what time clock(s) is best for you? Please contact our support team at help@joinhomebase.com and we will be happy to advise.