Shade is a tanning app that keeps time for you. You start a session when you lie down, and it counts down to your estimated burn time based on the live UV index, your skin type and your sunscreen, with turn-over cues along the way for an even tan.
What Shade does on a tanning day
- Shows today’s UV: the current UV and the hourly curve, so you can see when it peaks.
- Estimates your burn time: how long until your skin is likely to start burning, as one number. See burn time.
- Times your session: a countdown that follows the hourly UV forecast.
- Cues you to turn over: so both sides get even time.
- Reminds you to reapply: every two hours when you’re wearing sunscreen.
- Warns you before the end: so you can stop before your estimated burn time.
Picking your hours
The best time to tan, as far as Shade is concerned, is the part of the day when UV is lower and your burn time is longer. The UV forecast shows you those hours. Around solar noon UV is at its highest and the countdown runs quickest.
Burn time stays the limit
Shade is tan-positive, but every session works inside your estimated burn time. It won’t tell you to stay out longer, and it doesn’t reward extra minutes in the sun. In your history, what counts is ending a session in time and reapplying sunscreen.
A tan doesn’t change the estimate. Shade keeps working from your skin type, because a tan offers little protection against burning.
Free to start
The live UV index, your burn-time estimate and widgets are free. Your first sun session includes everything, and Shade Plus adds unlimited sessions, cues and the Lock Screen countdown.
About the numbers
UV data comes from Apple Weather. Burn-time estimates follow WHO UV Index guidance and standard Fitzpatrick skin-type values. They’re estimates, and your skin may react differently.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shade a tanning app?
Yes. It’s built for tanning days, with a session timer, turn-over cues and the hourly UV curve. Every session works inside your estimated burn time, so it keeps time rather than pushing you to stay out longer.
Will Shade make me tan quicker or deeper?
No. Shade doesn’t try to speed up or deepen a tan. It estimates when your skin has likely had enough for today and tells you before you get there.
Does a tan protect me from burning later?
Not in any way you can rely on. A tan gives very little protection, so Shade keeps estimating your burn time from your skin type, not from how tanned you are.