Why don't iPhone alarms work when the phone is switched off?

For the same reason that my TV doesn't work when it is turned off.

Ocean20 wrote:

For the same reason that my TV doesn't work when it is turned off.

Actually, even when turned off, most modern TVs aren't completely off. It's really more like hibernation. Current is still flowing. Which is why many of them can have timers set to wake them up at a certain time which can be really freaky if you aren't expecting it. 😉

If I unplug my alarm clock, why doesn't the alarm work?

If I turn off my car and take the keys out...why doesn't it move?

When I turn my TV off at the wall it is definitely off and no longer in standby. I said off not in standby mode.

Ocean20 wrote:

When I turn my TV off at the wall it is definitely off and no longer in standby. I said off not in standby mode.

Yes, if you cut the mains power to it, it will most certainly be off. Using the inaccurately labeled Off button doesn't do that. But really not trying to argue. Just wanted to forestall someone else screaming that the television analogy was not apt. 🙂

(Many older houses in the U.S. don't have wall switches for outlets.)

Wow, I get that people who write on these forums obviously love apple, but the hostility in some of the 'helpful' replies is appalling. Just because some of you die hard love apple, doesn't mean any questions about the functions of the iphone should be met with sarcastic, snidey remarks. I get it's designed a certain way, but that doesn't mean it's not flawed...
I have 3 iphone chargers in my house, used by 3 different people in 3 different rooms. One by one the chargers stopped working, and tonight it has come to the point where there are no useable ones in the house! Therefore in an attempt to save battery tonight before I can buy a charger tomorrow morning, I would like to turn my phone off but still use the alarm function! But basically because of the iphone's design, you're telling me that there is no possible way my alarm can work, as it won't wake itself up for an alarm, and it won't have enough battery to last to the morning.

So whatever you all say about the fact that the iphone is designed that way, so therefore it isn't flawed, is pretty stupid. I expect the same basic functions from an advanced phone that I can get from any old phone.

But basically because of the iphone's design, you're telling me that there is no possible way my alarm can work, as it won't wake itself up for an alarm, and it won't have enough battery to last to the morning.

Correct.

Why are all your chargers failing? I have 3-4 year old iPhone chargers that still work fine and have been plugged into the wall socket that whole time? By my count now I have a total of 9 iPhone chargers (accumulated from iPhone 3 to 3Gs to 4 to 5) and they all still work just fine.

Seriously, do you have non-grounded wiring or something, or is your area prone to power surges or brownouts or something?

Ace, you should have started a new thread. Lest the dragons befall thee. Your post is a no-no for general forum etiquette. What should be done instead- you always reference a thread you found in your post.

The experts that haunt these forums have a wicked sense of humor so sometimes the user will definitely learn the proper methods in a very unique way.

Anyways, here's what to do to preserve the battery, put the phone in airplane mode, close out all apps running, put the phone to sleep/turn off the screen, and add a dash of hope.

"I expect the same basic functions from an advanced phone that I can get from any old phone."

Do tell, which phone of what era supports wakeup from being completely shutdown?

Remember, the iPhone is a computer, not a programmable logic circuit.

There is no phone that can be POWERED completley OFF that can turn itself back on to use your little alarm. Maybe you should invest in an alarm clock and stop calling something stupid that you don't even seem to understand correctley.

You tell me, my old ones work fine to charge my ipad and an iphone 4S we have, the iphone 5 ones do not. Definitely do not have non-grounded wiring or prone to power surges. That's another issue...

Regardless of that, I go out all day and night at weekends, consistently my battery runs out, I expect this as I am well aware of the iphone battery time span, so I switch my phone off. However, when I need to set an alarm for the next morning without having an iphone charger during the night, I have no way of setting an alarm for the next day. So my reason for needing an alarm that switches itself on isn't just dependent on this one incident.

Obviously I know there are ways round this issue, but the most convenient solution would be if the iphone had some of the basic functionality that most other phones have. So don't get me wrong, I love the iphone, but I think suggestion for improvement shouldn't be met with hostility and an unwavering sense that apple can do no wrong because the iphone was 'built that way'.

The issue is annoying, but the unhelpful attitudes annoyed me when I was looking for a solution to this problem.

Again, sorry for not using the correct terminology, but I am aware that other phones I have had go into a deep sleep mode rather than an off mode, and last through the night without having to be charged to be turned on the next morning. But my iphone cannot do this

I think what's stupid is that people can't seem to recognise that this would be a good function, what is the iphone gaining from not having it? If anything it would enhance it, so in that way it is flawed, and i understand that. Just arguing for arguings sake because apple can do no wrong.

In the 20 years that I have gone through over 2 dozen cell phones and a dozen or so non-phone PDAs I never had one that could do ANYTHING, including alarms, when powered off. I'd like to know what phone you had that could do something when it was actually turned off and not just asleep.

I can leave mine on all night and lose very little battery, but if varies depending on the amount of email I get overnight. Other phones achieve "deep sleep" by turning off all phone functions. You can do the same thing by turning on Airplane mode on your iPhone. So the function is there. I also use Do Not Disturb at night but my Favorites can call and reach me.

It isn't flawed at all. If you have a serious battery drainage problem you need to do a search here for solutions to that problem it is a different issue. Or post a new thread.

And if you want a deep sleep and an alarm just turn on Airplane mode.