You have seen this alarm clock badge (or icon), see the image below, on an app in the dock on your iPad and you are wondering what that exactly means? It is probably troubling you because of these reasons (a) you did not place the app in the doc, so why is it there, why it is placed there? (b) why does it have this alarm clock icon? This article explains what the little alarm clock icon on an app means and how you can disable it.
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Let’s first describe in what ways this icon appears:
- an app appears with a little clock on it (see the image above)
- it appears at the top right of the apps in the dock on the right side on your iPad
- it may be an app that is not pinned to the dock
- Not exclusive to any specific app
The new iPad dock
The new updated iOS brought a much improved user experience to the iPad, including a new dock. The new iOS uses complex algorithms to learn your habits. iOS (and Siri) has learned that you often use this app at this time of the day. iOS has further learned your previous usage patterns. Based on this information, iOS is trying to make it easier for you to use this app by placing it in the dock on the right side so that you can easily open this app. Siri thinks you want to use this app. It is simply a reminder kind of thing. It does not have any other function.
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iOS will suggest apps based on your app usage habits. For example, if you use the Facebook app everyday at 5 pm, the Facebook app with alarm clock symbol will appear at the far right of the dock. The clock indicates that that you have used the Facebook app before at this time, so iOS is suggesting that you may want to use it again.
You want to turn off this feature? You do not want to see this suggested app and you do not want to see the little clock badge? Here is how:
- on your iPad, tap Settings
- scroll down and find Siri & Search
- find the Siri Suggestions section
- and then toggle off “Suggestions in Search” and toggle off “Suggestions in Look Up”.
You can also disable suggested apps. Here is how:
- tap Settings
- tap General
- tap Multitasking & Dock
- and then toggle off “Show Suggested and Recent Apps.”
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Next suggestion??
the suggestion on how to turn off this annoying feature does not work.
Thank you. The give solution also means the app won’t. How can one turn off ONLY the alarm clock showing in the app icon please.
Great relief to find a fix for this intrusion from Siri, however, I have followed all the instructions shown and the problem still exists.
I have also done a reset in my iPad Air and problem not fixed.
I hope a fix can be found soon, as it is extremely annoying and definitely not needed.
I have been on to Apple about the Doc app issue with Siri and THEY can,t even solve it. Everything connected with Siri is turned off and it makes no difference. It seems to be stuck on the Photo’s App, with Alarm clock on it.
12.1 update has made no difference.
I am quite capable of choosing what I want, without Siri making decisions for me. So darned annoying !
Your iPad or iPhone is likely rooted and gathering analytics. Someone is personally gathering your information. They have locked down what they want locked down. More than likely your device is uploading to an iCloud account daily even if you don’t have one setup. Read up on the new software apple released for developers in July or August. I cannot remember the name right now. Let me guess. Are you on medical? Tons of info is being collected by education institutions.
Thanks so much for your update, Apple. Now I cannot get this annoying alarm clock/app to close, no matter what “helpful” instructions I am provided to follow.
yep it’s annoying and it won’t go away. Apple need to stop trying to be too clever.
Really really really REALLY iritating ! When the calendar appears unwanted in the dock with an alarm clock icon on it the actual calendar app icon is just a few millimeters away where it should be. Why on earth would i want it repeated ? Have tried all the suggestions to turn this behaviour OFF but nothing works. Has anyone found anything that does work ?
Instructions still don’t work and damn app icon with alarm clock is a fixed adjunct feature of my otherwise incredibly efficient and carefully chosen dock items. Argh. Update to latest iOS did not change anything.
If you’re trying to turn it off for a certain app try going to the app in settings and then clicking Siri and Search and toggle it off and do the second suggestion as well. That worked for me.
If a particular app keeps popping up or you’re trying to turn it off for a certain app try going to the app in settings and then clicking Siri and Search and toggle it off and do the second suggestion as well. That worked for me.
Did NOT work for me. It makes the Dock move & causes me to open the wrong app. Danged annoying and not at all helpful.
That did not work. In my case it is the Firefox app that won’t go away/
Swipe over to your widget screen and remove Siri App Suggestions. Siri is trying to learn your habits and thinks that is an app that you regularly use.
I have this problem too. What do you mean, swipe over widget screen?