iOS 27 lets you set your alarm volume separately from ringtone volume
Apple's upcoming iOS 27 finally separates alarm and timer volume from ringtone volume, letting users avoid oversleeping after turning down their ringer. The change is made through a new toggle in the Sounds & Haptics settings menu.
For years, iPhone users have faced an annoying quirk: alarm volume and ringtone volume were tied together, meaning turning down the ringer could accidentally mute the morning alarm too. With iOS 27, Apple has finally fixed this by giving alarms and timers their own independent volume control.
To use the feature, users first need to update their iPhone to iOS 27, then open Settings and go to the Sounds & Haptics menu. Under the Alarms & Timers section, simply turning off the "Match Ringtone Volume" toggle reveals a new slider for setting alarm and timer volume separately. From then on, adjusting the ringtone volume won't affect alarms.
More granular sound controls
iOS 27 also introduces additional volume options. Users can turn off a fixed volume for system alerts, such as notifications and keyboard sounds, which is useful for keeping alarms loud while avoiding distracting notification noise.
Another option, which existed before iOS 27 but may not be widely known, lets users choose whether the volume buttons control ringtone volume or only media playback. All of these settings can be reversed at any time by returning to the Sounds & Haptics menu and re-enabling the toggles.
Other iOS 27 additions
While iOS 27 may not appear to be a massive overhaul, it brings a range of smaller quality-of-life improvements. These include a revamped Siri with AI capabilities, and refinements to the Liquid Glass design that make it clearer and easier to read.
Apple typically releases its major software updates in September alongside new hardware, so no exact public release date for iOS 27 has been confirmed yet. Those eager to try it early can download the public beta, though Apple recommends backing up devices first, since beta software can be unstable.
