Clock app, no alarm bug (iPhone 6; iOS 8 to 8.3)

Question

Secretss_ Author

Level 1

3 points

Clock app, no alarm bug (iPhone 6; iOS 8 to 8.3)

Does anyone else have this problem? This bug has been plaguing random iPhones since iPhone 4 or maybe earlier.

Bug:

Set an alarm or a timer in the clock app
Alarm/timer either
1. goes off and shows the visual alert on the screen, but makes no sound. In some cases it may or may not vibrate.
2. does not go off at all, or goes off for half a second then stops. Either way the alarm turns itself off.
3. goes off normally.
I get behaviours 2 and 3 for alarms, and all three behaviours for timers. Getting behaviour 3 is not often though.
The bug is unpredictable and I am unable to reproduce it. When I try to reproduce it, the alarms and timers go off normally. When I need to actually use the functions, they bug out.
My ringer, speaker, volume, vibration, are perfectly fine and properly configured.

Attempts to fix bug that did not work:

Delete all alarms and remake them.
Delete all alarms and make new ones every time an alarm is needed. Do not reuse alarms using the switches.
Close every other app and keep the Clock app the only one running in the app switcher.
Close every other app and keep the Clock app on the screen and have auto lock off.
Reset firmware to factory settings via Reset in the Settings app.
Restore firmware to latest via iTunes.

Questions:

Has anyone else encountered this bug on an iPhone 6? I know it's been around before, but even on the latest device?
Would I be able to get a free exchange from an Apple Store, given that this bug is not reproducible? I bought this device 8 months ago.

iPhone 6

Posted on May 16, 2015 3:10 PM

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Answer 1

deggie

Level 10

167,363 points

May 16, 2015 3:13 PM in response to Secretss_

I've never had this "bug" on any of the 4 iPhones I've had.

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Answer 2

May 16, 2015 4:00 PM in response to deggie

Nor have I. I use the alarm on my iPhone every day.

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Answer 3

Secretss_ Author

Level 1

3 points

May 16, 2015 6:15 PM in response to deggie

This bug is probably quite rare. I've also owned 4 iPhones since the 3GS, and probably 7 different units altogether counting replacements. From iPhone OS 2 to iOS 7 I have not experienced this bug on any of my previous phones. It was not present on iOS 8 on my first iPhone 6 unit either, which I exchanged for my current unit because of a cracked screen.

This isn't the only bug plaguing the Clock app either. During the launch of the iPhone 4 there was a big news buzz over a clock app bug that prevented alarms from going off on time, causing a lot of people to oversleep by an hour. But that bug was a daylight savings glitch, which is different from the bug I'm experiencing, which is more elusive: http://www.geek.com/apple/years-old-iphone-bug-stops-alarm-clock-from-making-noi se-but-there-might-finally-be-a-fix-1607…

I just did a google search of "iphone clock alarm bug" and it threw up a long list of articles and forum posts dating back to 2010 (one article claims it goes back to 2007). Although I did do a search in this forum before posting, the search didn't turn up any similar existing posts, but google did, and gave me this thread about exactly the problem I'm having: iOS 8 alarm sounds not working I'll be giving that a read later.

While keeping up with the news I would occasionally come across Apple software bugs but I've never been a victim, until now. Back when I read about the iPhone 4 bug at that time, I just thought bugs would only happen to someone else. But then, we all are "someone else" to someone else. *sigh*

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Answer 4

deggie

Level 10

167,363 points

May 16, 2015 6:38 PM in response to Secretss_

I think you have a misconception of what a software bug is. If this was a bug you would see LOTS of people here with the problem and it would occur consistently. Then Apple software engineers could identify it and fix it. Forget Google, I can search for aliens living next door and find just as many posts.

If this has been happening to you through that many phones it is most likely a problem with something that is on your phone. As a test back it up, Restore it as a new phone and don't load any 3rd party apps on it and try the alarm.

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Answer 5

Secretss_ Author

Level 1

3 points

May 17, 2015 9:15 PM in response to deggie

I think you misread my post. It is not the case that "this has been happening to you through that many phones"; I specifically said otherwise in my first paragraph.

There are plenty of people with the problem on many forums and on this forum. A glitch is not as inconceivable as alien neighbours so that is a poor comparison in a bid to diminish this problem. I even provided links in an implicit bid to get you to understand that just because you personally have not encountered this issue and/or have been ignorant about people voicing this issue, does not mean that this is not a present bug. Bugs do not have to happen consistently or in a reproducible manner.

It's not surprising that Apple hasn't be able to completely eradicate it. It's unclear if it's hardware nor software. Not hardware: if it were, then restoring to a different firmware wouldn't have eliminated the bug, but it did for some people. Not software: if it were, then every device running that particular firmware would have been effected, but that's not the case.

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Answer 6

hilil

Level 1

0 points

Jun 29, 2015 11:53 AM in response to Secretss_

I think they should either fix it or replace phone

I am surprised this has not been on the news yet-when it is apple will take care of it (I hope)

We've got to hope some news anchor misses a deadline or show due to this problem

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Answer 7

deggie

Level 10

167,363 points

Jun 29, 2015 12:20 PM in response to hilil

It hasn't been on the news because it isn't a global issue or a bug.

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Answer 8

Jul 2, 2015 5:44 AM in response to Secretss_

I believe I have been encountering this lately. Particularly, I seem to have the issue when I am actively using the phone as an alarm is supposed to go off.

I don't think I've ever experienced it when the phone is just sitting around.

It hasn't burned me yet, but again, that's only because it seems to occur when I'm already using the phone and aware of the time. Not sure if that would address why fewer people may have raised this issue despite it affecting them.

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Answer 9

osarid

Level 1

4 points

Jul 15, 2015 12:15 AM in response to Secretss_

I Have the exact same problem

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Answer 10

NYFS77

Level 1

9 points

Jul 16, 2015 4:52 AM in response to osarid

I have been experiencing this issue. I've used my iPhone to wake up for years and never had a problem. Now I set it correctly, and it doesn't go off. However, the screen says the alarm is sounding and I should tap to snooze.

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Answer 11

Jul 16, 2015 9:53 PM in response to NYFS77

I have had the exact same problem recently with my iPhone six. I have been using the alarm for years and just recently it has happened twice. In my case it is plugged in and sitting on my nightstand. Once it rang for a couple seconds and another time it did not ring at all. I hope they can find a fix for it because I used to rely on it exclusively.

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Answer 12

Secretss_ Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 16, 2015 10:35 PM in response to EmBecRoJuJon

I've heard this scenario as well, about the device being plugged in causing the issue. But, I don't know. I've gotten this issue both plugged in and not plugged in. It's all very hard to pin point.

I'm sorry I don't have any good news either. I "fixed" my problem by getting an exchange at the Apple store due to an unrelated hardware issue with the mute switch. I've also since gotten a smartwatch (not the apple watch - too expensive) and I've been using that to wake up, so I am no longer reliant on the phone's alarm.

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Answer 13

Jul 27, 2015 12:40 PM in response to Secretss_

I first had this issue after taking the iOS upgrade about 5 weeks back. The next day my alarm failed to sound and all i saw was the snooze banner. I missed my class.....

i read to change the alarm tone and it would work and it did!

its been fine since then BUT today the issue ocurred again. I use the alarm everyday so the randomness of this issue is scary

someone needs to fix this fast...

that AND the appalling keyboard and spellcheck functions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Answer 14

clau9597

Level 1

0 points

Jul 30, 2015 5:39 AM in response to Secretss_

I had the same problem just last night. I was 2 hour late at work..... 😠

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Answer 15

Jul 31, 2015 6:52 PM in response to Secretss_

In "Settings", go to "Sounds" and you'll see a "RINGER AND ALERTS" slider bar that probably is adjusted to the far left. I don't know what causes this to change because I didn't set it that way but when I slid the volume knob to the right my alarms worked again. The "Change with Buttons selector allows you to adjust the alarm volume with your devices side volume buttons. If this is selected you can lower and raise your alarm volume externally thus resetting your alarm's settings.

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