Alarmy, an alarm clock app that makes users complete tasks before they can dismiss a blaring alarm, is going viral as people react to its unusually aggressive wake-up system.
The app was highlighted in a post from entrepreneur Roman Khaves, who shared a video of Alarmy’s wake-up missions on X. The clip shows the alarm continuing to ring while the user works through a series of tasks, prompting viewers to describe the experience as more like “torture” than a normal morning routine.
Alarmy is designed for heavy sleepers and people who frequently snooze through traditional alarms. The app is available on Android and has more than 50 million downloads on Google Play, where it maintains a 4.6-star rating from more than two million reviews.
Alarmy makes waking up feel like a punishment
Rather than simply tapping a button, users can set an alarm mission that must be completed before the sound stops. Available missions include solving math problems, completing memory tests, typing motivational phrases, shaking the phone and doing squats.
The app also offers photo and barcode missions, which require users to get out of bed and take a picture of a preselected object. That could mean scanning a toothbrush, walking to the kitchen to photograph a coffee machine or finding a textbook before the alarm can be dismissed.
Alarmy’s “Wake Up Check” feature is designed to stop users from immediately falling back asleep. If they ignore the alarm after completing a mission, the tasks can restart.
The app’s Google Play listing also advertises loud alarm sounds, sleep tracking and a feature that can prevent users from turning off their phone while the alarm is ringing. Alarmy says the latter uses Android’s Accessibility Service API to keep the dismissal screen active.
The viral clip has renewed interest in the app because of how difficult its alarm sequence appears compared with the standard snooze button found on most phones.
While some users may see the missions as a useful way to build a morning routine, others are questioning whether forcing someone to complete a mini-game immediately after waking up is an effective solution or simply an unnecessarily brutal start to the day.
Alarmy is free to download, although the app contains advertising and offers in-app purchases. It was most recently updated on September 18, 2026.
