IOS 17 Alarm Issues: iPhone Users Furious

Apple’s change to the iPhone’s alarm function has sparked controversy. Instead of tapping the screen to mute, you now have to swipe.

Some users find the new method more secure, others find it annoying. But there is a way to go back to the old system, according to Blick.

When the iPhone starts ringing in the morning, things are not the same. No more button presses stop the alarm; instead, the phone now requires a deliberate swipe. The new procedure, called “swipe to stop”, has sparked a lot of backlash online. After all, the alarm function is probably the most used of all phone applications.

The purpose of this change is clear: Apple wants to prevent sleeping users from accidentally turning off the alarm, as often happened before. Dragging should prevent this. The snooze button, however, has remained unchanged — large, orange and easy to reach. Only turning off the alarm completely now requires an additional gesture.

iOS 26.1 and the new drag “obstacle”.

Apple has changed the design of the Alarms app several times. In iOS 26 there were two buttons of equal size: “Snooze” and “Stop”. Although the stop button was darker in color, many users, half asleep, pressed it wrongly. That’s most likely why the company has now introduced swipe.

But the new method also has its shortcomings: those who look for their phone in the dark, barely awake, need to be more coordinated. People with motor disabilities criticize the change, saying it makes it harder for them to use their phones.

How can you go back to the old system

For those who aren’t thrilled with the new design, there is a solution—albeit not a straightforward one. Apple doesn’t allow changing this feature from the regular alarm settings, instead hiding the option in a less accessible menu.

To bring back the old system, go to: Accessibility → Physical and Motor → Touch → Prefer One-Touch Actions.

Enabling this option brings back the two large buttons from the previous version. However, there is one drawback: all the sliders in the system will be turned into buttons, which can change the way you interact with other applications.

Other news in iOS 26.1

The new iOS 26.1 version also brings other improvements. The controversial “Liquid Glass” interface can now be dimmed — good news for those who have complained about reduced visibility and eyestrain. In the menu Display & Brightness → Liquid Glass, you can select the option “Tinted” instead of “Transparent”.

In Apple Music, songs can be changed with a simple swipe in the mini-player. Also, the camera shortcut on the lock screen can be disabled entirely — useful for those who accidentally open it.

The iOS 26.1 update is available for all iPhone 11 and newer models. It can be downloaded from Settings → General → Software Update. Before installation, it is recommended to back up your data.