What is the old-fashioned alarm clock icon next to Wi-Fi signal on iPad after iPadOS 26.2.1 update?

You aren't the first - and are unlikely to be the last - to comment upon the aesthetic appearance of the new "clock" icon. The new icon does indeed resemble an alarm clock of years past - instead of the clear simple clock icon see in all versions of iOS/iPadOS 7 through 18:

The new iPadOS 26 (old fashioned) icon has the essentially the same functionality as before - providing access to the Stop Watch, Timer, Alarm and World Clock functions.

The iPad User Guide, a frequently overlooked and rich source of information about iPad and iPadOS, provides full details:

See the time worldwide in Clock on iPad - Apple Support

Set an alarm in Clock on iPad - Apple Support*

Track time with the stopwatch in Clock on iPad - Apple Support

Set timers in Clock on iPad - Apple Support

(*) When alarms have been set, you will see an associated icon among the status icons at top-right of the iPad screen:

studiowriting wrote:

So, this icon resembling an old-fashioned alarm clock (i had one like this as a child! LOL) showed up on my 2020 (w/older chip)ipad, top right, a while after upgrading to OS 26.2 then to a recommended fix 26.2.1. What the heck is it? Why won’t it go away, or DO something? 🤔🤪 and im not seeing my cellular bar indicator—related ? Anyone else seeing this?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: OT: Mysterious icon, resembles alarm clock appeared next to wifi signal. And Cell bars gone. After os26.2.1 update

look here Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons - Apple Support

studiowriting wrote:

Nope—that icon isn’t listed! 🤔

Post a screenshot of the icon you're seeing.

You're very welcome. I'm delighted that the mystery has been successfully identified and resolved.