When you pull up the alarm on your iPhone, you are greeted by what looks like a classic spinning wheel of hours and minutes. Swiping up or down on either would give you an endless, circular dial that you can turn forever, but that is not true. It is not technically a wheel that goes in circles, and it does not go on forever, as it is just a really long, finite list of hours and minutes.
This clever illusion shows how Apple disguises a simple list as a wheel, proving design can shape how we perceive elements
If you launch the Clock app and navigate to the Alarm section, scrolling fast on the hour and minutes will actually make it hit the end. Many users on social media platforms like X have noticed that the wheels are not scrollable beyond 4:39 or 16:39 if you are using the 24-hour format. The little limit indicates that what you are scrolling through is not a seamless circle but a cleverly disguised list.
If you are not familiar, the picker uses a long sequence of values for hours and minutes, with repeating blocks of standard time values to create an illusion of an endless scroll. Since the list is finite, there is a bottom. To make it more fun, some Reddit users have turned it into a game, as one commented: “I got 6.4 seconds before I hit the end.” Another user said, “It stops at 16:39 for me too,” confirming that it is a repeatable feat. I have personally tried it, and rest assured, it is as it sounds.
This is a classic UX trick: to use a long list and smart framing to mimic a wheel, without the need for a complex circular interface. Even though it is technically limited, the illusion does look smooth and intuitive. So the next time you set your alarm, try swiping a bit further, and it will ruin the illusion for you, changing how you see it. Apple is also set to release iOS 26 to the general public in a couple of months, and who knows, maybe the company actually brings the infinite scroll wheel to the platform.
Apple will also announce the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9 at its ‘Awe Dropping’ event, where it will also showcase the new Apple Watch models alongside the AirPods Pro 3. We will be covering the event extensively, so be sure to stick around for in-depth analysis. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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