Reminders App unable to use on iPhone SE due to Allow Alarms popup blocking screen

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Reminders App unable to use on iPhone SE due to Allow Alarms popup blocking screen

Go to iPad to Allow Alarms message is blocking Reminders on iPhone SE. Alarms are on on the iPad. I have tried shutting down both iPad and iPhone and restarting. I have tried deleting and reinstalling the Reminders App. Every once in awhile the app works properly on my iPhone but most of the time the popup is blocking the screen. Both iPad and iPhone at running iOS 26.2.1. How do I permanently fix this, I am back to using index cards with my shopping lists ?

iPhone SE, iOS 26

Posted on Jan 29, 2026 7:52 AM

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Answer 1

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nga_tom Author

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Jan 29, 2026 10:10 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I think I have found the solution, I followed LD150's instructions and at first they did not work. I turned off Reminders in iCloud, shut down the phone, turned the phone back on, re-enabled reminders in iCloud and now reminders seems to be working normal - no more popup covering screen.

Thank you to all

Tom

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Answer 2

LD150

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105,324 points

Jan 29, 2026 8:45 AM in response to nga_tom

You need to go to iPhone, Settings, [tap your name], Find My and tap "use this iphone as my location"

Then you can set Urgent Reminders on the phone (but not on the ipad)

This is an intentional but unfortunate problem with the addition of Urgent Reminders in 26.2

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Answer 3

LD150

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105,324 points

Jan 29, 2026 10:17 AM in response to nga_tom

nga_tom wrote:

I think I have found the solution, I followed LD150's instructions and at first they did not work. I turned off Reminders in iCloud, shut down the phone, turned the phone back on, re-enabled reminders in iCloud and now reminders seems to be working normal - no more popup covering screen.

Thank you to all

Tom

Excellent!

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Answer 4

LD150

Level 10

105,324 points

Jan 29, 2026 9:41 AM in response to nga_tom

Next is forced restart https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/force-restart-iphone-iph8903c3ee6/ios

Make sure you uninstall VPN if you have one. (Profile at Settings, General, VPN & Device mgmt)

After that you may be looking at Settings, General, Transfer or reset iphone, Reset,Reset all settings.

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Answer 5

nga_tom Author

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Jan 29, 2026 9:21 AM in response to LD150

Sorry, it worked for about 10 seconds and then the popup is back blocking the screen.

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Answer 6

LD150

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Jan 29, 2026 9:23 AM in response to nga_tom

Did you delete the offending reminder?

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Answer 7

nga_tom Author

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Jan 29, 2026 9:36 AM in response to LD150

yes

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Answer 8

Jan 29, 2026 9:40 AM in response to nga_tom

Have you tried enabling the feature on your iPhone, and then backing out of settings (if you don't, the feature may not be applied), and then turning it off again?

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Reminders App unable to use on iPhone SE due to Allow Alarms popup blocking screen

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