With iOS 26, Apple introduced a revamped iPhone alarm interface that featured a large button to snooze and dismiss—easy to see, but maybe a little too easy to tap. While the design improved usability, it ended up frustrating some users who found themselves unintentionally silencing alarms before they were even fully awake. A single stray thumb or half-asleep taps was all it took.
Now, waking up is a daily battle against your own willpower—and if the one comrade (your alarm) you’ve got in that fight by your side folds at the first sign of resistance, then let’s face it: you’re already losing the war.
But the good news is: Apple has heard the feedback loud and clear. And it seems like Tim Cook and Co. aren’t about to let their lazy customer base make them the scapegoats for their laziness.
In the newly released iOS 26.1 beta 2, a small but meaningful change is being tested: instead of simply tapping on the snooze button, users must now slide to dismiss an alarm or timer—reminiscent of the classic “slide to unlock”. And for any Android users reading this and wondering if this really counts as innovation—yes, we know you’ve had it for years, and fine, you’re allowed a little eye-roll!
At a glance this change in the iPhone alarm might seem too small—just one interaction swapped for another. But in practice, it is quite effective as it requires a touch more coordination and intent. That tiny bit of effort may just be the nudge your brain needs to wake up and realise that it’s time to get moving.
Of course, this feature is still in beta, and there’s no guarantee that it’ll make it into the final public release of iOS 26.1. Apple is likely only testing the waters for now. But if it does stick, it will be a welcome tweak for anyone who blames their phones for oversleeping on the daily.
