### Apple Allows Users to Swap ‘Slide to Stop’ Gesture in iOS 26.1 for Classic ‘Stop’ Button for Alarms and Timers
iOS 26.1 brings a noteworthy alteration to the way users engage with alarms and timers on their devices. The update changes the conventional ‘Stop’ button to a new ‘Slide to stop’ gesture, which has elicited mixed responses from users. While some are fond of the redesign, others have experienced inconvenience, leading to unintended dismissals of alarms.
#### The Design Shift
With the release of iOS 26, Apple refreshed the interface for alarms and timers on the Lock Screen. The ‘Stop’ and ‘Snooze’ buttons were made larger, facilitating easier tapping. However, this redesign unintentionally led some users to accidentally dismiss alarms, prompting Apple to offer a remedy in iOS 26.1.
The newly implemented ‘Slide to stop’ gesture necessitates a swipe to dismiss an alarm or timer, introducing an additional layer of deliberateness to the action. This design recalls the original iPhone’s slider employed for unlocking the device and answering calls.
#### User Choices
Acknowledging that not all users might favor the new slide feature, Apple has provided an option to return to the older ‘Stop’ button. Users can go to **Settings** > **Accessibility** > **Touch** to turn off the new slider. By enabling the ‘Prefer Single-Touch Actions’ setting, the recognizable single-tap ‘Stop’ button will be reinstated, letting users select their preferred method of dismissing alarms and timers.
This adaptability is part of a wider trend in iOS 26.1, which includes various other customizable options designed to improve user experience.
#### Conclusion
The launch of the ‘Slide to stop’ feature in iOS 26.1 has sparked conversation among users regarding its efficacy. While some may appreciate the nostalgic slider style, others may lean toward the straightforwardness of a button. Apple’s allowance for customization guarantees that users can modify their experience to align with their preferences. What do you think about the new alarm slider? Will you revert to the ‘Stop’ button?
