The new iOS 26.4 update brings a change that can be especially useful for those who sleep wearing Apple Watch, as it targets a frequent problem: not listening to the alarm and sleeping more than they should.
Many users choose to wear the smartwatch and during the night, to record sleep and health data through the embedded sensors. When the device is combined with the iOS Sleep Schedule, it can awaken the user with vibrations on the wrist, instead of strong sound.
This way is considered more "mild", and it also has the advantage that it does not easily awaken the partner or child who sleeps in the same space. However, there is a basic disadvantage: he is often not strong enough to wake you up.
Apple's solution to the problem
With iOS 26.4, Apple now enables both devices to operate simultaneously. I mean, the alarm can be activated by vibrating in Apple Watch but also with sound from the iPhone, offering a more "sure" way of waking up.
This function comes to fill the gap that existed until today, where – when you were wearing it Apple Watch in sleep – iPhone alarms were activated only on the clock, usually in silent operation.
However, there is an important detail: the new possibility not automatically activated. The user must manually activate it from the settings.
How to activate new mode
To use the new option, one must have originally installed the update through the path Settings > General > Software Update.
Then there are two ways to activate through the sleep program:
Through the implementation of Health: The user selects "Search" → "Sleep" → "Full program and options" → program edit and activates the Always Play option on iPhone.
Alternatively, via ‘Roley’ application, can edit the sleep program alarm and activate the corresponding option.
The feature only appears if there is a configured sleep schedule and if Apple Watch is connected to the iPhone.
Before relying on the function, it is recommended to check that it is not affected by other settings, such as Focus function, mute or Bluetooth connection to other devices, which may prevent audio from being played on the phone.