Apple is still facing issues with the reliability of the iPhone’s built-in alarm feature, which the company acknowledged last April after an NBC’s Today report highlighted the problems. Users continue to report alarms going off at incorrect times, even after updating to the latest iOS 18 version.
iPhone alarm issues persist despite iOS 18 update
A Reddit post by user bryanlolwut in the r/iPhone subreddit showcased an alarm set for 10:30 that instead rang at 12:42, the time shown on an Apple Watch. Many Reddit users are commenting on the thread, stating they are experiencing similar issues. One user, Slawek_Zupa, reported that their morning alarm showed as going off but produced no sound or haptics for 40 minutes. Another shared an experience where their alarm rang at 5 PM rather than the expected 7 AM.
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The complaints span users of both iOS 17 and iOS 18, with some having attempted to disable Apple’s Attention Awareness Features, which adjust alarm volume based on face detection, but this did not resolve the problem for many. Disabling these features also means users miss out on other functionality, such as seeing full notifications on the lock screen.
The issue with iPhone alarms is not new, with users having reported problems for at least five years. The latest complaints surfaced alongside the release of iOS 18.2.1. Alarm-related delays can have significant effects on users’ daily schedules, with reports of missed responsibilities, such as school exams and appointments in the Reminders app, highlighting the severity and potential consequences of the issue.
While some Android Authority staff members using iPhones reported they have not encountered this bug, the volume of complaints suggests that it is a widespread problem. Currently, there appears to be no known workaround that consistently ensures alarms will ring at the correct times. Users concerned about reliability may need to consider utilizing a dedicated alarm clock or an alternative device.
Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Ideogram
