Apple is facing mounting backlash after reports surfaced that a glitch in its latest iOS 26 software update has caused iPhone alarms to sound at dramatically reduced volume, leading users to oversleep, miss appointments and, in some cases, miss flights. The complaints, which gained momentum on TikTok and Apple's official support forums, have raised questions about the reliability of one of the device's most basic tools.
The issue entered public discussion after British singer-songwriter Cat Burns posted a viral TikTok showing her alarm barely audible. Burns urged Apple to "sort it OUT" and demonstrated the sound fading rapidly, describing it as a faint "bur, bur, bur" rather than a wake-up alert capable of getting someone out of bed. "
Why's it whispering to me? I can't wake up to that. Now I'm panicked thinking I'm not gonna wake up in the morning because my alarm is so quiet," she said.
Users across social platforms and Apple's discussion boards echoed similar issues. Some described alarms showing on screen without producing any sound at all. Others reported that their devices appeared to lower alarm volume on their own, often citing the Attention Aware feature - which reduces audio when the phone detects eye contact - as a possible factor. Some users, however, said the issue persisted even when the feature was disabled.
The iOS 26 update, released in September, introduced design changes including a "Liquid Glass" interface, new system icons, a dedicated Games app and Live Translation for voice calls. While the visual refresh has drawn praise, the update rollout has been accompanied by reports of battery drain, overheating and interface distortions. The alarm malfunction has emerged as the most disruptive for day-to-day users.
In the absence of an official Apple statement, users have circulated a series of workaround steps. These include disabling Attention Aware Features via Face ID settings, manually raising the Ringtone and Alerts volume slider under Sounds & Haptics, and enabling Change With Buttons so physical volume keys affect alerts. Others have resorted to third-party alarm apps - particularly those requiring physical interaction, such as solving puzzles, to silence the alarm.
