The free app that lets you join the line before you even leave home
Getting a haircut should be simple — but nobody enjoys sitting in a crowded salon, flipping through old magazines, wondering how much longer the wait will be. That’s exactly the problem the Great Clips app was built to solve. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a loyal Great Clips customer who’s never tried the app, this guide walks you through everything you need to know to get started.
What Is the Great Clips App?
The Great Clips app is a free mobile application available for both iOS and Android devices. Launched in 2011, it was the haircare industry’s first real-time online check-in tool. Since then, it has surpassed 20 million total downloads and holds an impressive 4.8-star rating on the Apple App Store and 4.7 stars on Google Play.
At its core, the app lets you do one powerful thing: add your name to a salon’s waitlist before you arrive, so you spend less time sitting around and more time living your life.
How to Download and Set Up the App
Getting started takes less than five minutes:
- Download the app — Search “Great Clips” in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and install the free app.
- Create an account — Tap the Account screen and select “Sign Up.” You can register using your email address or sign in with Apple or Google for a faster setup.
- Allow notifications — Turn on push notifications in the Communication Settings tab to get real-time updates about your wait.
- Save your favorite salon — Once you find your go-to location, mark it as a favorite so it always appears on your home screen.
Tip: Your account works across both the app and the Great Clips website (greatclips.com), so you can check in from any device with internet access — even a laptop or tablet.
Key Features Every Beginner Should Know
1. Online Check-In
This is the app’s headline feature — and the reason millions of people use it every day.
Instead of walking into a salon and waiting your turn, you can join the waitlist from your phone before you even leave the house. Here’s how it works:
- Open the app and find a nearby salon.
- Tap Check In for your chosen location.
- Enter your name, the number of people getting haircuts, and your phone number.
- Tap Check In — you’re in line.
You’re now officially in the queue. Go finish an errand, grab a coffee, or stay home until it’s almost your turn.
Important hours to know: Online Check-In opens five minutes after a salon’s scheduled opening time (to give walk-in customers a fair start) and closes 30 minutes before closing time. You can still get a haircut at closing — you just can’t check in via the app in that final window.
2. Real-Time Waitlist & Progress Bar
Once you’ve checked in, the app shows you your exact place in line with a live waitlist view. A visual progress bar tracks your movement through the stages of your haircut experience — from joining the queue to sitting in the chair.
This means no more guessing games. You can see in real time how many people are ahead of you, giving you the freedom to go about your day instead of waiting inside the salon.
3. Salon Locator & Wait Time Comparison
Traveling? In a new neighborhood? The app includes a salon finder that uses your location to show all nearby Great Clips locations. Crucially, it also displays the current estimated wait time for each salon — so you can choose the one that fits your schedule, not just the closest one.
4. ReadyNext Text Alerts
When your turn is approaching, the app sends you a “ReadyNext” notification — a heads-up that it’s time to head to the salon. You can receive this as either a push notification through the app or a text message to your phone.
This alert system is designed so you can spend your wait time however you like, without constantly checking the app. When the notification pops up, you know it’s go time.
5. Clip Notes — Your Haircut Preferences, Saved Forever
One of the most underrated features of the Great Clips ecosystem is Clip Notes, introduced in 2013.
Every time you get a haircut at Great Clips, the stylist records the details of your cut — length, style, any specific preferences — directly to your customer profile. The next time you visit (even at a completely different location), any stylist can pull up your Clip Notes and know exactly how you like your hair.
This is especially handy for parents: Clip Notes saves your children’s preferences too, so they’ll get the same cut they love every single visit, no matter who’s behind the chair.
6. Personalized Offers & Coupons
With an app account, you unlock access to special offers, product promotions, and discounts delivered directly to your notification inbox. These can include savings on haircuts, hair care products, and seasonal deals — making the app useful not just for convenience but for your wallet too.
7. Haircut Reminders
Out of sight, out of mind — it’s easy to forget about a trim until your hair is already past the point of no return. The app’s haircut reminder feature lets you set a date or timeframe, and you’ll receive a push notification when it’s time to book your next cut. You can even “snooze” the reminder if the timing isn’t quite right.
8. Siri Shortcuts Integration (iOS)
For iPhone users, the Great Clips app supports Siri Shortcuts, letting you check in with a simple voice command like “Hey Siri, check me into my favorite salon.” The app will open and pre-fill your favorite location, making the whole process hands-free.
What Services Can You Check In For?
You can use Online Check-In for most Great Clips services, including:
- Standard haircuts (men, women, and children)
- Bang trims
- Beard trims
- Neck trims
Exceptions: Perms and formal updos are not available through the app. These typically require a direct call to the salon to schedule.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the App
- Save multiple favorite salons — useful if you split time between home and work, or travel regularly.
- Enable push notifications — this is how you get ReadyNext alerts; without them, you’ll need to check the app manually.
- Check in only when you’re ready — the waitlist moves in real time. If you check in too early, your spot will be called before you arrive.
- Use Clip Notes actively — when you find a cut you love, ask your stylist to update your notes with specific details (blade number, length, style) so every future visit is consistent.
- Check the app for offers before every visit — personalized deals rotate regularly, and you could save on your next cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an account to use the app? No. You can check in as a guest by providing your name and phone number. However, creating a free account unlocks favorite salons, Clip Notes, personalized offers, and faster check-ins.
Can I request a specific stylist? No — Great Clips prioritizes stylist safety and does not allow stylist-specific requests through the app. Your Clip Notes ensure that any available stylist can deliver the cut you want.
What if I don’t have a smartphone? You can check in from any internet-connected device at greatclips.com — tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Can I check in for more than one person? Yes. During check-in, you’ll be asked how many people are getting haircuts. Everyone will be added to the waitlist together.
The Great Clips app is one of the most practical tools in any regular haircut-goer’s toolkit. Whether you’re squeezing a trim into a busy lunch break or bringing kids in on a Saturday morning, the ability to join the line remotely — and track your place in real time — genuinely changes the experience.
Download it, set up your account, save your favorite salon, and never sit in a waiting room longer than you have to again.
The Great Clips app is free to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
