Apple's upcoming iOS 27 ends years of shared volume controls for notifications and alarms. The update, unveiled at WWDC26, introduces separate sliders for different sound categories in Settings under Sounds & Haptics. Users can now adjust alarms, timers, and alerts independently instead of managing them through a single volume control.

Previously, lowering notification volume could accidentally mute morning alarms or cooking timers. This created real-world problems since a kitchen timer needs to be heard across rooms while keyboard clicks rarely require the same attention. The change addresses a long-standing limitation that forced users to choose between disruptive alerts or potentially missed important sounds.

To use the new controls, open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, select either Alarms and Timers or Alerts and System Sounds, then disable Match Ringtone Volume to unlock independent sliders. Wake Up alarms and built-in alarm volumes remain unaffected by these changes.

While Apple emphasized AI features at WWDC, this practical improvement affects millions of daily iPhone interactions. Separating these fundamental audio controls removes an unnecessary constraint that shaped iPhone behavior for years, making the device more intuitive for everyday use.