iOS 26: AlarmKit
With iOS 26, Apple is adding a new AlarmKit framework for developers that offer apps with alarm clocks and timers. AlarmKit provides system-level access to alarm functionality, which was previously reserved only for Apple’s Clock app.
Developers will now be able to create apps that have the same feature set and permissions as Apple’s built-in alarm functionality, including alerts that always activate even if Silent mode or a Focus mode is enabled, full-screen snooze and stop display options, and access to the Lock Screen, Dynamic Island, and Apple Watch.
I thought AlarmKit would be more than it is, that maybe it would be something neat I could incorporate into Broadcasts (i.e. wake up to streaming radio), but the API is very barebones — it’s all handled at the system level, doesn’t wake up your app, and only local sounds can be played, I guess that one’s out for this year
Tried out AlarmKit and was really disappointed to find there’s no way to detect when a user swipes an alarm away. The stop intent doesn’t get called. Alarms are for important actions, so apps should be able to react in case of accidental dismissals.
It’s unclear whether the limitations are because this is just 1.0 or because the purpose of the new API is only to appease the EU regulators.
