AlarmKit custom sounds are universally broken in iOS 26.0 stable - instead of playing your custom sound, it plays a system error/timeout beep.
I've spent days investigating why custom sounds result in what sounds like an error beep (like when you cancel an operation or hit a timeout) instead of the actual audio file. I can now prove this is an Apple bug, not implementation error.
Evidence:
Test 1: My Implementation
- Followed Apple's documentation exactly
- Tried both bundle and Library/Sounds (as documented)
- Result: System error beep (not my audio)
Test 2: Professional Apps
- Tested ADHDAlarms (popular AlarmKit example by jacobsapps) https://github.com/jacobsapps/ADHDAlarms
- Their airhorn.mp3 custom sound: same error beep (not an airhorn)
- Their default sound: works perfectly
Test 3: Device Testing
- Physical iPhone (iOS 26.0 - 23A341): broken
- iOS Simulator: broken
- Not device-specific
Files are found correctly, but the actual audio file is never played. Instead, you hear what sounds like a system error/cancellation tone.
What I've Eliminated
- Not a Library/Sounds vs Bundle issue (both broken)
- Not a file format issue (.mp3, .caf, .m4a all broken)
- Not an implementation issue (professional apps broken too)
- Not a device issue (simulator and device both broken)
- Not a file size issue (5KB to 2MB all broken)
The Documentation Lie:
Apple's docs for AlertConfiguration.AlertSound.named(_:) state:
"Choose a file that's in your app's main bundle or the Library/Sounds folder"
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/activitykit/alertconfiguration/alertsound/named(_:)
Both locations are broken.
Tested on: iOS 26.0 (23A341), Xcode 26.0.1, Swift 6.2
Impact:
This affects any app trying to:
- Provide personalized wake-up sounds
- Use custom alarm tones
- Create meditation/sleep apps
- Differentiate from default iOS alarms
Current Status:
- Multiple bug reports filed: FB19900024, FB18237648, FB19779004
- Apple engineer claimed "fixed in latest beta" in August
- Still broken in iOS 26.0 stable (September)
Workaround:
None that I know of. You must use .default sound.
For apps needing custom audio, play it with AVAudioPlayer after the alarm fires and user opens the app.
Question:
Has ANYONE gotten custom AlarmKit sounds working in iOS 26.0 stable? If so, plzzz help I'd be so grateful.
