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What does the little clock on an app mean in the new dock on iPad and how do I shut it off?

They added the dock in iOS 11 and now I get apps that appear with the clock on theM, I can’t find how to turn that off or even what it is.

iPad Pro 10.5-inch, Wi-Fi, iOS 11

Posted on Sep 27, 2017 6:59 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 27, 2017 6:41 PM

So this is going to be lengthy but I think I figured this out tonight.


Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017 08:23 PM
Duration 49 minutes 26 seconds

Storm

Thanks for contacting iOS. My name is Storm. How can I help you?

Storm

Hi Douglas, I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

Nyrendk

Hello

Nyrendk

I updated to iOS 11.0.1 and now I have a app that appears with a little clock on it

Nyrendk

How do I shut that off

Storm

Where is that appearing at?

Nyrendk

To the right of the apps in my dock

Storm

Are you able to press on it until the app begins to jiggle?

Nyrendk

Yes and it I delete it there it removes the app from my iPad

Storm

Can you move it out of your dock and onto your home screen?

Nyrendk

Yes it moves the app to the home screen and appears on the home screen and the dock

Storm

Then that is an app that is pinned to the dock. Give me a moment or two to research this for us. It may be that the app is designed to be in the dock with the new update

Nyrendk

No it’s not pinned, it appears after my pinned apps and it changes by what app I use

Storm

OK, let me research what we can do to remove that app from the dock, if we can.

Nyrendk

There is a little clock on it

Nyrendk

I can send you a screen shot

Storm

That would be great

Storm

Thank you!

Storm

And the icon of the app changes each time you use a different app correct

Nyrendk

If I use it for a while

Storm

I am pretty sure I know what it is. But give me just a moment more please Douglas. I really appreciate your patience in this.

Nyrendk

Ok

Storm

Are you having a good week so far?

Nyrendk

Long but yes

Storm

I can relate to long, but at least it is half over.

Storm

That badge with the clock means that iOS 11 has learned, using machine learning, that you often open this app at this time of the day, and it is placing it in the dock on the right side, where suggested apps go, to make it easier to launch the app if you truly are about to run the app. It will also show handoff badges for items that you may be looking at on computers or IOS devices where the handoff feature is turned on with your Apple ID. That has a little computer or device badge rather than a clock badge.

Nyrendk

Yes I have seen that with my iPhone

Nyrendk

How do I turn the suggested apps off

Storm

Let me find out exactly how we do that.

Nyrendk

All it seems to do is clutter my dock

Storm

I understand why you would want that removed. I see it on my Mac now that you mention in.

Storm

OK Douglas, I apologize for the wait but I believe I have found our solution,

Storm

Open the Settings app. Scroll down to Siri & Search and tap it. Scroll down to Siri Suggestions. Toggle off Suggestions in Search. Toggle off Suggestions in Look Up

Nyrendk

They are off

Storm

Then at this time there is not a known way to resolve this for you. That is part of the machine learning built in to the new iOS that has been released.

Nyrendk

Than I need another level tech

Nyrendk

I want it off

Storm

I will be happy to get you a Senior Advisor. Please give me a moment to update them on what is going on and what resolution you are looking for.

Storm

I have an advisor now Douglas, it will be just a moment while they review everything.

Nyrendk

Ok

Storm

Thank you for your patience. I have one of my Senior Advisors, Jocelyn, that will take over your case and provide exceptional customer service. With your permission, I would like to transfer you over to them. I have explained the issue. Is it OK to transfer you over now?

Nyrendk

Yup

Storm

Douglas, I want to thank you for being the best part of the Apple Family, I hope you have an amazing week!

Jocelyn

Thanks for contacting Apple Support. My name is Jocelyn. Please give me a moment to look over your information.

Nyrendk

Ok

Jocelyn

Hello, Douglas! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me tonight! I really appreciate it!

Jocelyn

My name is Jocelyn and I am a Senior Advisor here at Apple. I’m taking ownership for this issue and I am fully committed towards working with you to resolve your issue. My goal is to provide you the best possible experience on our way to that resolution. In case you have concerns about this issue after we finished chatting, I want you to have my schedule so we can follow up as well. Sunday, Wednesday - Friday 10:00am -9:00pm PST

Jocelyn

Now, I understand that you have some concerns about the addition to your iPad’s dock in iOS 11, the section which shows the recently opened or viewed apps?

Nyrendk

Yes

Nyrendk

I don’t want it to show this

Jocelyn

I understand your concerns, and I will be happy to go over this with you, along with some next steps we can take, Douglas!

Jocelyn

Now, this feature is new to iOS 11, and the right side of your dock shows the recently viewed or opened apps. You can see more on that here, under the dock section as well: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-11/

Jocelyn

Now, at this time there is not a way to disable that from view, but we can put that feedback in as an option for a future update.

Jocelyn

I would be happy to do that for you, and you can as well!

Jocelyn

You can submit product feedback about this at [apple.com/feedback apple.com/feedback] . We have a team here at Apple, who's entire job is dedicated to reviewing this feedback, and escalating it to the proper outlets (such as the engineers for iTunes, iPhone, iPad, etc.), so you can rest assured that your voice will be heard! The more feedback we receive about product features, the more likely we are to implement them! I'd be more than happy to walk you through submitting feedback today if needed!

Nyrendk

So I have to let it clutter my dock?

Jocelyn

It is an alteration to the dock in iOS 11. Since we cannot turn it off at this time, it would be in place until the option to turn it off is set up for a future update, yes. I understand that sometimes the changes to iOS have feature that don’t suit everybody, so that feedback is where our improvement comes in!

Nyrendk

What’s the link to submit that, I do not like it at all

Jocelyn

apple.com/feedback is the link, Douglas.

Jocelyn

I definitely agree that being able to turn if off if you didn’t want it is a great idea, and I will be happy to put that feedback in as well!

Nyrendk

Yes please

Jocelyn

You bet! I will be sending the email to you now with your case id. Once you receive that, you can reach me ba

Jocelyn

Brilliant. So from here, our best next step will be to put in feedback so our team can address it. Douglas, is there anything else at all I can help you with on your iPad or iOS 11 tonight?

Nyrendk

Any idea how long before a update will be released

Jocelyn

Sadly, no. It’s a surprise for us as well when they come out.

Nyrendk

Ok

Jocelyn

You will see that updated normally on Apple.com though, or you can check for updates on your iPad, Douglas.

Jocelyn

Did you have any other questions or concerns I can help with?

Nyrendk

Not now

Jocelyn

Thank you for your time, and for being the best part of Apple!

Jocelyn

It's been my pleasure chatting with you. Have an amazing day, and thank you for being part of our Apple family!

86 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Sep 27, 2017 6:41 PM in response to Demo

So this is going to be lengthy but I think I figured this out tonight.


Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017 08:23 PM
Duration 49 minutes 26 seconds

Storm

Thanks for contacting iOS. My name is Storm. How can I help you?

Storm

Hi Douglas, I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

Nyrendk

Hello

Nyrendk

I updated to iOS 11.0.1 and now I have a app that appears with a little clock on it

Nyrendk

How do I shut that off

Storm

Where is that appearing at?

Nyrendk

To the right of the apps in my dock

Storm

Are you able to press on it until the app begins to jiggle?

Nyrendk

Yes and it I delete it there it removes the app from my iPad

Storm

Can you move it out of your dock and onto your home screen?

Nyrendk

Yes it moves the app to the home screen and appears on the home screen and the dock

Storm

Then that is an app that is pinned to the dock. Give me a moment or two to research this for us. It may be that the app is designed to be in the dock with the new update

Nyrendk

No it’s not pinned, it appears after my pinned apps and it changes by what app I use

Storm

OK, let me research what we can do to remove that app from the dock, if we can.

Nyrendk

There is a little clock on it

Nyrendk

I can send you a screen shot

Storm

That would be great

Storm

Thank you!

Storm

And the icon of the app changes each time you use a different app correct

Nyrendk

If I use it for a while

Storm

I am pretty sure I know what it is. But give me just a moment more please Douglas. I really appreciate your patience in this.

Nyrendk

Ok

Storm

Are you having a good week so far?

Nyrendk

Long but yes

Storm

I can relate to long, but at least it is half over.

Storm

That badge with the clock means that iOS 11 has learned, using machine learning, that you often open this app at this time of the day, and it is placing it in the dock on the right side, where suggested apps go, to make it easier to launch the app if you truly are about to run the app. It will also show handoff badges for items that you may be looking at on computers or IOS devices where the handoff feature is turned on with your Apple ID. That has a little computer or device badge rather than a clock badge.

Nyrendk

Yes I have seen that with my iPhone

Nyrendk

How do I turn the suggested apps off

Storm

Let me find out exactly how we do that.

Nyrendk

All it seems to do is clutter my dock

Storm

I understand why you would want that removed. I see it on my Mac now that you mention in.

Storm

OK Douglas, I apologize for the wait but I believe I have found our solution,

Storm

Open the Settings app. Scroll down to Siri & Search and tap it. Scroll down to Siri Suggestions. Toggle off Suggestions in Search. Toggle off Suggestions in Look Up

Nyrendk

They are off

Storm

Then at this time there is not a known way to resolve this for you. That is part of the machine learning built in to the new iOS that has been released.

Nyrendk

Than I need another level tech

Nyrendk

I want it off

Storm

I will be happy to get you a Senior Advisor. Please give me a moment to update them on what is going on and what resolution you are looking for.

Storm

I have an advisor now Douglas, it will be just a moment while they review everything.

Nyrendk

Ok

Storm

Thank you for your patience. I have one of my Senior Advisors, Jocelyn, that will take over your case and provide exceptional customer service. With your permission, I would like to transfer you over to them. I have explained the issue. Is it OK to transfer you over now?

Nyrendk

Yup

Storm

Douglas, I want to thank you for being the best part of the Apple Family, I hope you have an amazing week!

Jocelyn

Thanks for contacting Apple Support. My name is Jocelyn. Please give me a moment to look over your information.

Nyrendk

Ok

Jocelyn

Hello, Douglas! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me tonight! I really appreciate it!

Jocelyn

My name is Jocelyn and I am a Senior Advisor here at Apple. I’m taking ownership for this issue and I am fully committed towards working with you to resolve your issue. My goal is to provide you the best possible experience on our way to that resolution. In case you have concerns about this issue after we finished chatting, I want you to have my schedule so we can follow up as well. Sunday, Wednesday - Friday 10:00am -9:00pm PST

Jocelyn

Now, I understand that you have some concerns about the addition to your iPad’s dock in iOS 11, the section which shows the recently opened or viewed apps?

Nyrendk

Yes

Nyrendk

I don’t want it to show this

Jocelyn

I understand your concerns, and I will be happy to go over this with you, along with some next steps we can take, Douglas!

Jocelyn

Now, this feature is new to iOS 11, and the right side of your dock shows the recently viewed or opened apps. You can see more on that here, under the dock section as well: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-11/

Jocelyn

Now, at this time there is not a way to disable that from view, but we can put that feedback in as an option for a future update.

Jocelyn

I would be happy to do that for you, and you can as well!

Jocelyn

You can submit product feedback about this at [apple.com/feedback apple.com/feedback] . We have a team here at Apple, who's entire job is dedicated to reviewing this feedback, and escalating it to the proper outlets (such as the engineers for iTunes, iPhone, iPad, etc.), so you can rest assured that your voice will be heard! The more feedback we receive about product features, the more likely we are to implement them! I'd be more than happy to walk you through submitting feedback today if needed!

Nyrendk

So I have to let it clutter my dock?

Jocelyn

It is an alteration to the dock in iOS 11. Since we cannot turn it off at this time, it would be in place until the option to turn it off is set up for a future update, yes. I understand that sometimes the changes to iOS have feature that don’t suit everybody, so that feedback is where our improvement comes in!

Nyrendk

What’s the link to submit that, I do not like it at all

Jocelyn

apple.com/feedback is the link, Douglas.

Jocelyn

I definitely agree that being able to turn if off if you didn’t want it is a great idea, and I will be happy to put that feedback in as well!

Nyrendk

Yes please

Jocelyn

You bet! I will be sending the email to you now with your case id. Once you receive that, you can reach me ba

Jocelyn

Brilliant. So from here, our best next step will be to put in feedback so our team can address it. Douglas, is there anything else at all I can help you with on your iPad or iOS 11 tonight?

Nyrendk

Any idea how long before a update will be released

Jocelyn

Sadly, no. It’s a surprise for us as well when they come out.

Nyrendk

Ok

Jocelyn

You will see that updated normally on Apple.com though, or you can check for updates on your iPad, Douglas.

Jocelyn

Did you have any other questions or concerns I can help with?

Nyrendk

Not now

Jocelyn

Thank you for your time, and for being the best part of Apple!

Jocelyn

It's been my pleasure chatting with you. Have an amazing day, and thank you for being part of our Apple family!

Oct 6, 2017 3:00 AM in response to Nyrendk

Thanks for posting this conversation.


I had the same problem with one particular app always appearing on the right hand side of the dock with the clock icon. I tried lots of things to remove it but it persisted. I then toggled the switch under Siri & Search for the particular app to turn suggestions off for that app. The icon then disappeared and I've not seen it return yet.


This was after updating to IOS 11.0.2.


It seems crazy that they have an option to remove suggested apps on the dock but this doesn't include time-based suggestions from Siri. Having to turn off suggestions for each app individually is a ridiculous way to resolve this problem.

Oct 10, 2017 11:29 AM in response to Ken Boasso

Actually, there is a setting to turn off suggestions, Settings > General > Multitasking and Dock > Show Suggested and Recent Apps. Unfortunately, it does not seem to affect these time suggestions. They may have missed out on integration. Personally, this stuff doesn't bother me at all, but you can report it to Apple at the feedback link: Feedback - iPad - Apple.

Mar 20, 2018 12:57 PM in response to FourThirty

Turning off the Siri App Suggestions in the Settings app is not sufficient to get rid of that pesky clock badge. It takes two different steps to do this, for a similar reason that the Control Panel screen (swipe up) does not really turn off wifi, but that’s a story for another day.



HOW TO GET RID OF THAT ALARM CLOCK BADGE IN THE DOCK

1. THE SEARCH PAGE

a) Press and release HOME button, once.

b) Swipe right, to get to Search screen on the far left.

c) Scroll up, to get to bottom of ‘widgets’ page.

d) Tap “Edit“ button

e) Tap the red “-“ symbol next to ”Siri App Suggestions”.

notes: do so for any other apps you don’t wan‘t to show on the Search page; you can tap the green “+” symbol to put them back, if you wish.


2. THE SETTINGS APP

a) Press and release HOME button, once.

b) Select the “Settings” app.

c) Tap “General” menu item.

d) Tap “Multitasking and Dock” menu item.

e) Turn OFF the “Show Suggested and Recent Apps” setting.



Gratitude for the following discussions:

Simon@Home

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8087680?answerId=32915914022#32915914022


Daisylaa

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8087680?answerId=32798369022#32798369022


Bwanji & Volumetrix

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8087680?answerId=32408226022#32408226022

Apr 6, 2018 9:41 PM in response to Nyrendk

The icon is telling you why Siri is suggesting the app to you by placing it in the Dock. Siri's proactive abilities means it suggests apps it thinks you are likely to use for a variety of reasons:

  • Alarm icon: app suggested because of the time of day
  • ‘Location’ arrow: app suggested because of your current location

You can disable apps from being suggested on the Dock by going to Settings → General → Multitasking & Dock and disabling Show Suggested and Recent Apps.

Sep 27, 2017 7:03 AM in response to Nyrendk

Apparently it is Siri suggesting an app to you based on the time of day...for example ‘hey it’s evening, why don’t you open iBooks and read a book’ or things of that nature.


I personally don’t use siri and have her disabled in the restrictions. ALso under the settings and Siri I have app suggestions turned off and I’ve turned off the recent apps part of the dock and I have yet to see it. No guarantees because it may be something that’s pushed out by Apple, but you could poke around in the settings and see if turning things off you don’t want or use help

Sep 27, 2017 5:51 PM in response to Nyrendk

I get them as well, and I’m not sure what that is either, but I do use Siri suggestions.


In my case, it seems like I get the clock on a recently used app in the dock if I tend to use that app at around the time the alarm clock appears. For example, I have one app that I tend to use at the same time every day early in the morning and if that app icon is on the recent apps side of the dock, the alarm clock icon will appear on it early in the morning.


I am going to experiment tonight and see if it happens again tomorrow.


Wouldn't be nice if Apple had some easy to find documentation explaining what that is? It it’s out there, I can’t find it.

Sep 27, 2017 6:09 PM in response to Demo

Under Siri and Search I have the siri suggestions turned off and then under each app I have the suggestions turned off and I have yet to see the little clock. I do also have recent apps turned off.


So when you’re playing, there are other things you can play with.


and yeah, wouldn’t it be nice if these little things were explained?

Sep 27, 2017 8:40 PM in response to Nyrendk

All I can tell you is my experience.

I have recent apps turned off in the dock settings

I have siri and search turned off in the siri settings


Under that there is a list of apps to be included in search/suggestions. I toggled all of those off


I have yet to see the little clock over an app icon.


You can still have apps in the dock and customize it, you just lose that ’helpful’ 3 icons of the 3 most recent apps.

Oct 6, 2017 4:40 AM in response to 5Hearn

I have Siri Suggestions turned on. However, it seems not to work with any real consistency either. In my last post from a week ago, I stopped getting the alarm clock icon on the one browser that I was using. The past two days it has come back and I hadn’t used that browser for a few days, let alone first thing in the morning when I was using it.

Oct 10, 2017 11:13 AM in response to Skydiver119

yes; skydiver119. it does sound as if that process would address the issue.


however, for those of us who have many apps installed on our ios devices, it could take a lot of time to scroll through each & every one of those apps to toggle off that switch.


moreover, toggling off that switch will not only suppress the automated time-of-day suggestion in the dock, it also will instruct siri not to include that app in search results, even if that app is an appropriate answer to a search question.


clearly, this is an apple developer's idea that wasn't thought through sufficiently. a simple toggle to turn off the "suggested apps in dock" facility would be far more effective.

What does the little clock on an app mean in the new dock on iPad and how do I shut it off?

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