Beyt: Quran and Prayer Times

Opening the App: What Happens First

Launching Beyt presents a clean dashboard with the current prayer time prominently displayed. Below it, a countdown shows the time remaining until the next prayer. The interface is minimal, with no ads or clutter. The app immediately requests location access to calculate accurate prayer times. Granting this permission enables the Qibla compass and mosque finder features. The home screen also shows the current date in both Gregorian and Hijri calendars. A row of icons at the bottom provides quick access to Quran, Qibla, Mosque Finder, and Settings. The app does not bombard the user with tutorials or prompts. It assumes the user knows what they need and provides direct access to those tools. The daily ayah notification is enabled by default, sending a verse from the Quran each day. This notification can be customized or turned off in settings. The app also offers multiple home screen widgets, allowing users to see the next prayer time without opening the app. The overall experience is straightforward and focused, living up to its promise of "everything you need, nothing you don't."

How Prayer Times and Qibla Compass Work Together

The prayer times feature and the Qibla compass are not separate tools but are deeply integrated. When you open the app, it uses your device's location to calculate prayer times based on your chosen calculation method. The app supports over 10 methods, including Muslim World League and Umm Al-Qura. The same location data is used to determine the Qibla direction. This means that if you are traveling, the app automatically updates both the prayer times and the Qibla direction without any manual input. This is particularly useful for frequent travelers or those on the move. The compass provides step-by-step instructions to ensure accuracy, guiding the user to hold the device flat and rotate until the needle points to the Kaaba. The app also includes a "High latitude rule" option for users in regions like Alaska or Canada, where prayer times can be challenging to calculate. This integration of location-based services makes the app a comprehensive tool for Muslims worldwide. The mosque finder also uses this location data to show nearby mosques and prayer rooms on a map. Users can even add new mosques for others to discover, creating a community-driven database.

Real-World Performance and User Experience

The app performs smoothly on both Android and iOS devices. It is lightweight, with no noticeable lag or crashes. The adhan sound notifications are clear and can be customized with different voices. Users have praised the app for its accuracy and reliability. The Quran section allows reading in over 140 languages, with the option to listen to recitations in Arabic. The search function makes it easy to find specific verses. The bookmark feature lets users save their favorite ayahs for later reference. The app also includes a feature to design and share ayah posters, which is a creative way to spread spiritual messages. The Ramadan calendar provides a detailed fasting tracker with imsak and iftar countdowns. The app's privacy policy states that no data is collected or shared with third parties, which is a significant plus for users concerned about data security. The developer is responsive to feedback, as seen in the review responses and the inclusion of user-requested features in updates. The app has a 4.9-star rating on Google Play with over 2,000 reviews, indicating high user satisfaction. However, some users have suggested adding a section for beginners to help those new to prayer. The developer has acknowledged this feedback and may consider it in future updates.

Technical Details and Permission Requirements

The app requires location access to provide accurate prayer times and Qibla direction. It also needs internet access to download Quran translations and updates. The app does not request access to contacts, storage, or camera, which is a positive for privacy. The app's size is around 115 MB on Android and 118 MB on iOS. The app is compatible with Android 5.0 and above, and iOS 15.5 and above. The latest version on Android is 7.2, updated on September 20, 2025. The iOS version is 9.7, updated on February 8, 2024. The app is free with in-app purchases, though the specific purchases are not detailed. The app's data safety section on Google Play indicates that no data is collected or shared with third parties. However, data is not encrypted, and data cannot be deleted, which may be a concern for some users. The app's privacy policy is available on the developer's website. The app supports multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, and Azerbaijani. The developer is based in Azerbaijan, and the app is available in over 140 countries.