The hidden iPhone alarm design has left users confused, and a few are saying it’s “disturbing.”
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For years, countless people have been setting alarms on their phones, rarely stopping to wonder about the mechanics behind the spinning numbers on the screen.
It feels instinctive to swipe endlessly through the hours and minutes, with most assuming that the digital wheel is designed to roll on without limits.
Recently, however, one viral post revealed a hidden detail about what is really happening behind that display, sparking widespread shock and debate among iPhone users everywhere.
Instead of being an endless loop, the iPhone’s alarm time picker is nothing more than a long but finite list.
One user online wrote: “The time picker on iPhones alarm app isn’t actually circular it’s just a really long list.”
After enough scrolling, the so-called wheel eventually runs out, and the final time that appears is always 4:39 p.m. Many people who tried it for themselves were stunned to see it stop at the exact same point.
Social media reactions poured in, with some calling the revelation “disturbing” while others said they felt “so betrayed.”
Another person commented: “Concerning. It isn’t even that long! It only took like ten seconds of fast scrolling to hit the end.”
One frustrated user added, “Steve Jobs would never have allowed this,” while others simply complained that the design felt “beyond cursed.”
Not everyone saw the situation as a flaw, however, and some defended the design choice as both smart and intentional.
One commenter praised the logic by writing: “Interesting! Sometimes things can be done in a simpler way. No over engineering required.”
Also read: Protect your privacy: 3 hidden iPhone settings tracking you—turn them off now!
Another user added: “An experienced af dev built this. Much easier than trying to build something circular with nearly identical utility. Proof: Nobody knew.”
This strange discovery even reminded some users of other hidden quirks buried inside the iPhone’s features. A previous viral moment involved the calendar app, where users found a missing ten-day stretch in 1582.
That gap comes from the historic shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, when October 4 was followed directly by October 15.
The fact that relics of centuries-old reforms are tucked into a modern smartphone only adds to the sense of mystery.
Also read: iPhone warning: A silent threat may already be on your device
As these discussions continue, many are left questioning what else might be hidden in the devices they use every day.
Some people are frustrated by what they see as poor coding, while others appreciate the simplicity of the approach.
Whether the alarm list ending at 4:39 p.m. is considered clever or careless, the debate shows no signs of slowing down. The bigger question is whether users will ever look at their alarms the same way again.
Read next: Activate your phone's secret self-destruct feature before it's too late
Have you tried scrolling through the alarm picker to see it for yourself, and do you think this is a clever design choice or a mistake Apple should have fixed? Share your thoughts in the comments and let others know whether you’re impressed, disturbed, or simply confused by this viral revelation.
It feels instinctive to swipe endlessly through the hours and minutes, with most assuming that the digital wheel is designed to roll on without limits.
Recently, however, one viral post revealed a hidden detail about what is really happening behind that display, sparking widespread shock and debate among iPhone users everywhere.
Instead of being an endless loop, the iPhone’s alarm time picker is nothing more than a long but finite list.
One user online wrote: “The time picker on iPhones alarm app isn’t actually circular it’s just a really long list.”
After enough scrolling, the so-called wheel eventually runs out, and the final time that appears is always 4:39 p.m. Many people who tried it for themselves were stunned to see it stop at the exact same point.
Social media reactions poured in, with some calling the revelation “disturbing” while others said they felt “so betrayed.”
The hidden iPhone alarm design has left users confused, and a few are saying it’s “disturbing.”. Image source: Tyler Lastovich / Unsplash
Another person commented: “Concerning. It isn’t even that long! It only took like ten seconds of fast scrolling to hit the end.”
One frustrated user added, “Steve Jobs would never have allowed this,” while others simply complained that the design felt “beyond cursed.”
Not everyone saw the situation as a flaw, however, and some defended the design choice as both smart and intentional.
One commenter praised the logic by writing: “Interesting! Sometimes things can be done in a simpler way. No over engineering required.”
Also read: Protect your privacy: 3 hidden iPhone settings tracking you—turn them off now!
Another user added: “An experienced af dev built this. Much easier than trying to build something circular with nearly identical utility. Proof: Nobody knew.”
This strange discovery even reminded some users of other hidden quirks buried inside the iPhone’s features. A previous viral moment involved the calendar app, where users found a missing ten-day stretch in 1582.
That gap comes from the historic shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, when October 4 was followed directly by October 15.
The fact that relics of centuries-old reforms are tucked into a modern smartphone only adds to the sense of mystery.
Also read: iPhone warning: A silent threat may already be on your device
As these discussions continue, many are left questioning what else might be hidden in the devices they use every day.
Some people are frustrated by what they see as poor coding, while others appreciate the simplicity of the approach.
Whether the alarm list ending at 4:39 p.m. is considered clever or careless, the debate shows no signs of slowing down. The bigger question is whether users will ever look at their alarms the same way again.
Read next: Activate your phone's secret self-destruct feature before it's too late
