Apple’s recent iOS update introduced a frustrating change to the iPhone alarm: a new slider that makes it harder to quickly silence the dreaded wake-up call. While intended to prevent accidental dismissals, many users find the slider clunky and irritating, especially when groggily trying to shut it off.
The issue isn’t just inconvenience; it’s about disrupting sleep for yourself and others. A delayed alarm shutoff can lead to fumbling, frustration, and, as one user humorously notes, waking up the entire household.
If you’re among those who prefer the old, reliable tap-to-dismiss method, here’s how to revert the change:
Restore the Original Alarm Button
The solution involves a simple accessibility setting adjustment. Follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Navigate to Accessibility.
- Select Touch.
- Toggle Prefer Single-Touch Actions to the on position.
Enabling this setting restores the original alarm dismissal behavior: a single tap on the Stop button will silence the alarm immediately. There are no known side effects at this time, but Apple could change this behavior in future updates.
To revert back to the slider, simply disable the “Prefer Single-Touch Actions” toggle.
Why this matters: Apple often prioritizes perceived safety over user preference. This update, though minor, highlights the ongoing tension between streamlined usability and overly cautious design decisions. For now, at least, users have a workaround to reclaim control of their mornings.
