Having synchronised Apple alarms isn't for everyone, so try this solution if you're having problems
Recently, I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch full-time as part of ongoing testing of the year’s latest software updates. It’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience—serving as a good reminder of why the brand’s Ultra line comes highly recommended in many of Wareable’s buyer’s guides.
Yet, the Apple smartwatch has also been wreaking havoc in one key area: my morning alarm.
I’m a serial snoozer of wearable alarms. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from testing smartwatches over the last decade, it’s that I’ll quickly tap away an alarm while half-asleep if given the option. And with Apple granting me control of the otherwise trusty iPhone alarm from the smartwatch, my morning schedule has suffered greatly.
I enjoy the Apple Watch’s uncomplicated and accurate sleep tracking and some of the synchronization of the Sleep Focus mode from the iPhone. However, I’ve concluded that I must separate my trusty iPhone alarm from the Apple Watch before things get out of hand.
For fellow alarm snoozers who want a solution to this same problem, I have it. But I will say that it’s not perfect. You lose the benefits of the iPhone’s ‘Sleep | Wake Up’ mode (and other timers or alarm syncing between iPhone and Apple Watch).
Yet, since performing the steps below, my wake-up pattern has returned to normal and I’m back to working harder to turn off my morning alarm. Join me.
Solution: Unmirror push alerts from iPhone and disable Sleep | Wake Up
As things stand with watchOS 11, this is the only solution I’ve discovered (from my menu trawling and Reddit scouring) to have an iPhone alarm that doesn’t sound on the Apple Watch. And though things could change in watchOS 26, nothing we saw in the initial announcement (or in beta testing) suggests this will rectify in the upcoming software.
Most guides online will only explain the first set of steps shown above (turning off mirroring), but performing these didn’t work for me. The iPhone Clock app’s ‘Sleep | Wake Up’ option must also be disabled.
As mentioned, you’ll have to forego the benefits of Sleep Focus on the Apple Watch (and this is particularly annoying because it means notifications will still come through).
Still, at least you won’t have an easy route to snoozing your alarm.
To separate your iPhone alarm from the Apple Watch:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- From ‘My Watch’, scroll down to ‘Clock’ and select it.
- Find the ‘Push Alerts from iPhone’ and uncheck the switch, as shown above.
- Next, go to the Clock app on your iPhone and turn off your Sleep | Wake Up schedule.
- Instead, have your morning alarm sound under the ‘Other’ section.
