Some iPhone owners are reporting issues with their alarms not working properly after updating to iOS 18. Whether you rely on your iPhone to wake you up in the morning or for reminders throughout the day, a malfunctioning alarm can be frustrating.
The problem seems to affect a wide range of iPhone models, from older devices to newer ones like the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 series. Many users have noted that their alarms either fail to go off entirely or their screen lights up, but no sound is produced.
If you’re experiencing this issue, don’t worry! Below are several troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the alarm malfunction on your iPhone.
How to Fix Your iPhone Alarm Not Going Off on iOS 18
Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue with your iPhone’s alarm after updating to iOS 18.
1. Adjust Your Volume Levels
Make sure to check both your main volume and the volume for Ringtones and Alerts:
- Main Volume: Use the volume buttons on the side of your iPhone to adjust.
- Ringtone and Alerts Volume: Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics, and adjust the slider under Ringtones and Alerts.
Also, enable Haptics to Always Play for a combination of sound and vibration that’s hard to miss.
2. Double-Check That the Proper Alarm Is Active
Ensure that the correct alarm is enabled:
- We recommend using the Sleep/Wake-Up alarm integrated with the Sleep Schedule. Avoid creating duplicate alarms in the Clock app, as this can cause conflicts.
- To verify, go to the Alarms tab in the Clock app and confirm that only one alarm (Sleep/Wake-Up or a custom alarm) is active.
- For custom alarms, tap on the alarm and check that it’s set to repeat on the desired days.
3. Disconnect or Power Off Any Linked Bluetooth Devices
Your alarm might be playing through a paired Bluetooth device instead of your iPhone’s speakers:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth to see if any devices are connected. If a device is connected, tap the i (info) button next to it, then select Disconnect to temporarily unlink it.
4. Delete and Recreate Any Custom Alarms
If a custom alarm still isn’t working:
- Delete the alarm by swiping left on it in the Alarms tab and tapping Delete.
- After deleting, recreate it by tapping the plus icon and setting up a new alarm.
5. Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, a minor bug in iOS 18 can be fixed by simply restarting your iPhone:
- For iPhones without a home button, hold down the side button and one of the volume buttons until you see the Slide to power off slider. Drag the slider and wait for the phone to turn off.
- Press the side button again to turn it back on.
6. Check for iOS Updates
If restarting doesn’t fix the issue, it could be due to a software bug:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if there’s a new update available.
- If an update is available, tap Update Now to install it. Apple may have released a patch to resolve the issue.
7. Reset All Settings
As a last resort, you can reset all settings on your iPhone. This will not erase your personal data, but it will reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords, display options, and privacy settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings and follow the on-screen instructions.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the iPhone alarm issue caused by the iOS 18 update. If none of these methods work, it may be worth reaching out to Apple Support for further assistance.