Apple's iOS 26.1 update changes how alarms are dismissed.
New Slide to Stop gesture
Prevents accidental alarm dismissals
Snooze function remains unchanged
Slide to Stop applicable for timers
Continuing updates to iOS 26 series
Strong demand for iPhone 17 series
Apple has introduced a change to the alarm dismissal mechanism in the iOS 26.1 beta 2 update. Instead of tapping a large button to stop an alarm, users now need to perform a deliberate swipe across the screen—called the “Slide to Stop” gesture to fully silence the alarm. Tapping the screen will still snooze the alarm as before, but stopping requires this intentional slide action.
Purpose of the Change Apple Resolves
This update aims to prevent users from easily and accidentally stopping their alarms when half-awake, which has been a common frustration since iOS 26 introduced large, closely placed snooze and stop buttons. The slide gesture adds a layer of intentionality, significantly reducing unintentional alarm dismissals that cause users to oversleep.[4][5][6][1]
Design Considerations and Historical Context
In iOS 26, Apple made the alarm stop and snooze buttons larger and placed them closer together for better visibility and ease of use. However, this design inadvertently led to many users accidentally pressing the stop button instead of snooze. The previous iOS 18 design featured smaller and more separated buttons, reducing such mistakes but with less emphasis on visual clarity.
The slide gesture in iOS 26.1 beta 2 balances visual size with the need for an intentional swipe to stop, retaining the same button size while minimizing errors.[7][8][9]
Extension to Timers
Interestingly, Apple has expanded the slide-to-stop gesture to include timers as well, despite timers not having the same issue with accidental dismissal. This may reflect Apple’s aim to standardize user interactions across alarm and timer functions in the Clock app for a more consistent user experience.[10][5][6]
Outlook and Availability
As iOS 26.1 is still in beta, Apple may adjust or refine the feature based on user feedback before the official release, expected by the end of October 2025. Users relying on alarms might need to adapt their muscle memory due to this new interaction method, but it is expected to improve reliability in waking up on time.[2][5][3]
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. L. Fischer earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting.
She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
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