Xero time tracking that
syncs straight to invoices.
Jotter Jobs is a Xero time tracking app with built-in timers that track time per line item. It is the Xero timesheet app your field team will actually use, a timesheet app that syncs to Xero so logged hours flow straight onto invoices. No timesheets to re-key, no re-entry, no lost hours.
Timer running on a line item
Timer on your Lock Screen
Logged hours on the job
The time tracking problem
Service businesses and freelancers lose money on time tracking every single week. People estimate their hours at the end of the day, rounding down because they can't remember exactly when they started. Or they don't track time at all, and someone guesses when the invoice goes out.
Even when teams use a time tracking app, it's usually disconnected from everything else. Hours go into one system, job details go into another, and someone manually transfers the numbers into Xero. It's slow, error-prone, and it means you're always invoicing less than the actual work done.
The fix isn't a better standalone timer. It's time tracking built directly into the job workflow, connected to the invoice. Wondering whether Xero handles this itself? We answer that honestly in does Xero have time tracking?
How teams track time today
End-of-day estimates
Workers recall their hours from memory and text them to the office. Admins key it into Xero.
- Consistently undercharges actual hours
- Double handling of data
- No per-task breakdown
Standalone time tracking app
Workers use a separate app to log time. Someone exports the data and enters it into Xero invoices.
- Hours disconnected from job details
- Manual export/import to Xero
- Another app for your team to learn
Jotter Jobs time tracking
Timers built into the job. Track per line item. Complete the job and hours flow to Xero automatically.
- Hours tied to specific line items
- Flows to Xero invoices automatically
- One app for everything
Xero alone vs Jotter + Xero
Xero has no built-in mobile job timer for field crews. Jotter fills that gap, then sends the tracked hours back into Xero as invoice lines.
Xero on its own
- No built-in mobile job timer
- Xero Projects time entry is built for the desk, not the tools
- No Lock Screen or notification-bar timer
- No offline timer for new builds, basements, or rural sites
- Hours typed in by hand at invoice time
Jotter + Xero
- Built-in mobile timer on every job line item
- Tap play on the tools, one-handed, with dirty fingers
- Timer on the iPhone Lock Screen and Android notification bar
- Fully offline, tracks time anywhere, syncs when back in range
- Hours flow to Xero invoices automatically when the job is done
Jotter and Xero work together. Jotter handles field time tracking, Xero handles the accounting.
How Jotter timers work
One timer per line item
Every line item on a job has its own timer. If a job has "Labour: Install" and "Labour: Test", each gets independent time tracking. When the job is completed, each line item shows the exact hours worked, and those hours flow to the matching line on the Xero invoice.
Run multiple timers at once
You can have timers running on different jobs simultaneously. Switch between projects, pause one, work on another. Each timer tracks independently. This is common for freelancers juggling clients and for teams floating between sites during the day.
Lock Screen and notification bar
On iPhone, active timers appear on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island via Live Activities, always visible without opening the app. On Android, a persistent notification shows the running timer. Your team never forgets a timer is running.
Survives anything
Timers use wall-clock time, not app uptime. Force-quit the app, restart your phone, let the battery die. When the app opens again, the timer shows the correct elapsed time. No hours are lost, ever.
Works offline
Start a timer in a basement, on a remote site, or on a flight with the wifi off. Stop it three hours later. The time entry is saved locally and syncs when you reconnect. Works exactly the same as when you're online.
Time rounding
Configure rounding in company settings: exact time, nearest 6 minutes (0.1 hours), nearest 15 minutes, or nearest 30 minutes. Rounding is applied when the timer stops, so what goes on the invoice is always clean.
From timer to Xero invoice
Here's the exact flow. A worker opens a job, taps play on "Labour: Repair". The timer starts and appears on their Lock Screen. They work for 2 hours and 20 minutes, then tap stop.
If time rounding is set to 15 minutes, the quantity is rounded to 2.25 hours. That number is stored against the "Labour: Repair" line item on the job.
When the job is marked complete, Jotter sends the entire job to Xero as an invoice. The "Labour: Repair" line item appears on the invoice with a quantity of 2.25 and whatever unit price is set (from Xero items or entered manually). The customer, description, and all other line items are included too.
The admin opens Xero and sees a complete invoice with accurate hours. No guessing, no re-typing, no chasing the team for their timesheets.
More than a time tracker
Time tracking is one part of Jotter. It also handles job management, quoting, materials tracking, team permissions, customer management, and Xero invoicing. Everything your field team needs in one app.
You can control what your team can see and edit to hide prices from workers, restrict which customers and items they access, and limit who can modify job tags. Admins get full visibility across all jobs and workers.
And it all works offline. No signal on site? No problem. Everything syncs when your team is back in range. Learn more about using Jotter for field service in New Zealand.
Xero time tracking FAQs
Does Xero have time tracking?
Xero does not include built-in job time tracking or mobile timers. The Xero Projects add-on offers basic desktop time entry, but no offline mobile timer for field crews. Jotter adds a proper timer that tracks hours per line item and sends them to Xero invoices automatically.
Can I send timesheet hours to a Xero invoice?
Yes. Track time on a job in Jotter, then mark the job complete. The hours flow to Xero as the quantity on the matching invoice line, with the customer and pricing filled in. No manual export, no re-typing.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Start and stop timers, add line items, and record materials with no signal. Everything is saved on your phone and syncs to Xero automatically when you reconnect. This matters on NZ sites like new builds, basements, and rural properties.
How much does it cost?
The free plan includes 2 seats with built-in timers and full Xero integration, no credit card and no time limit. Paid plans add more seats. All pricing is in NZD.
Ready to try it? See Jotter pricing in NZD, send the hours through with mobile invoicing through Xero, or download the app and start tracking time today.
Start tracking time free
Start tracking time free, 2 seats, no card. Built-in timers and full Xero integration included.