This is a question i had recently… can i set an alarm, then turn off my iphone but still have the alarm go off? I think i’ve done that once or twice in the past and chalked the fact it didn’t go off to me setting the wrong time. On all of my old nokia phones i remember turning them off, then having the alarm kick in at whatever time i set…
The problem
The reason why i didn’t want to keep my phone on and set an alarm is because i didn’t want to be disturbed by phone calls or messages at night. Usually, i’ve no problem with that – i like people to be contactable 24/7 in case of emergency and so i do my best to make sure that’s exactly what i am.
At night, my phone is on vibrate and if i’m woken by a message or call, it’s no big deal… in this specific instance, i knew i’d be getting a call that wasn’t important but it would be ridiculously early (long story). So i wanted to set an alarm as normal but not be interrupted by this call.
I could have just switched off vibrate but i also wanted to conserve power because i’d left my phone charger at the other side of my bedroom. So i wanted to set and alarm and switch the phone off.
A quick google told me i couldn’t do that. Off means ‘off’. No exceptions. Initially, i thought that was pretty stupid given the fact most people only use their phone as a clock and alarm clock when abroad… plus they’re looking to save power when abroad too because their charging schedule is messed up.
The solution
It was that thought process however that led me to remember the ‘airplane’ mode on the iPhone. That cuts all network connectivity meaning the iPhone becomes an expensive iPod without wifi… calls & texts can’t get through and power is conserved due to the lack of connectivity. BUT the phone is still powered on, therefore the alarm clock function still works perfectly.
So if you ever find yourself setting an alarm and switching your iPhone off, remember that you won’t be woken up on time the next morning 
Never switch the iPhone off… airplane mode is as ‘do not disturb’ as it gets.
