Apple’s upcoming iOS 26.2 update adds a long-requested feature to the Reminders app: the ability to set alarms that trigger at specific times.
Until now, Reminders could send notifications, but they behaved like standard alerts, easy to miss if your phone was on silent or you weren’t looking at the screen.
The new alarm option changes that. When enabled, Reminders can sound a full-volume alert that behaves more like the Clock app’s alarms.
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Users can choose tones, vibration patterns, and whether the alarm repeats. Each reminder can have its own sound, and alarms will still respect Focus modes and notification settings.
This small addition brings Reminders closer to task managers like Todoist or Things, which have long supported audible notifications for time-sensitive tasks.
It also makes Apple’s built-in app more reliable for daily use, especially for users who depend on timed alerts for medication, appointments, or work tasks.
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The update also improves how Reminders sync alarms between devices. When a task is created on iPhone, its alarm automatically syncs to iPad and Mac via iCloud, ensuring consistency across platforms. Early testers report that alarms trigger even if the Reminders app isn’t actively open.
Apple hasn’t highlighted the feature publicly, but it’s present in the first iOS 26.2 beta released this week. The company typically rolls out smaller quality-of-life updates like this in point releases between major versions.
Reminders has quietly evolved over the last few iOS updates, gaining subtasks, tags, and smart lists. Adding true alarms continues Apple’s steady push to make its default productivity app more capable without relying on third-party software.
