Introducing a grouped alarms feature on iOS
This conceptual feature, grouped alarms, is focused on improving an app used by millions - the iOS Clock app. Conversations with a wide range of users revealed a recurring issue for people wanting to easily set alarms that fit around their varying needs.
Project goals
01
Ease of use
Setting an alarm should be a quick action that allows users to manage their day within a tap or two. One of the largest user complaints revolved around the tedious setting and toggling of many alarms just to wake up in the morning. I made it a priority to improve this aspect.
02
Tailored around people
Most of us hit snooze. Some of us accidentally fall back asleep. None of us live the same day every day. The grouped alarm functionality needed to provide flexibility without sacrificing the core functionality of an alarm.
03
Familiarity
An app with a user base as large and diverse as the iOS Clock requires new features to be easily understood. I made it a priority to work within the current Apple Design Language of the time.
How do you set alarms?
I began by speaking to anyone who uses the iOS Clock app and discovered that most alarms were set in groups around key daily events, however, the alarms app did not allow grouped alarms to be create or even easily managed.
Add more functionality, not clutter.
Grouped alarms are visually identified by the layered icon, which shows the number of alarms in the group and allows the user to toggle the whole group or individual alarms off or on.
Users can hold and drag an alarm to reorder their alarms — a highly requested feature in user interviews.
