Memory
The alarm that makes you repeat a sequence
A memory alarm keeps ringing until you have watched a short sequence and tapped it back. In WakeOps, four pads (a circle, a triangle, a square and a diamond) light up one after another, then it is your turn. You can't repeat what you didn't watch, which is more attention than any dismiss button asks for, and it needs no permission or special hardware.
How it works
- 1
Choose Memory as the mission and a level: Easy is one sequence of 3, Medium two sequences (3, then 4), Hard three sequences (4, then 5, then 6).
- 2
When the alarm rings, tap Start mission. “Watch the sequence.” The pads light up in order, and taps are ignored while it plays.
- 3
“Now tap it back.” Get one wrong and the screen says “Wrong. From the start of this sequence.” and plays it again. There is no time limit.
- 4
Repeat the last sequence correctly and the alarm stops. Swiping it away or pressing Stop doesn't count; the alarm comes back until you finish.
What you can set
- Level: Easy (one sequence of 3), Medium (3, then 4) or Hard (4, then 5, then 6)
- Pads are told apart by shape, so it works without color vision; with VoiceOver, each pad is named and says whether it is lit
- Ring during missions (per alarm, on by default)
- Still-awake check (per alarm: off, 5, 10 or 15 minutes)
Tips for doing it half asleep
- Watch the whole sequence before you move. Taps are ignored while it plays.
- Name the shapes in your head as they light (circle, square, triangle) rather than tracking where they are.
- Don't rush. There is no time limit, and a wrong tap only replays the sequence.
- Rehearse once with Try it now, so the first time you see the pads isn't at 6am.
Memory, Math or Word scramble?
Math asks you to calculate, Word scramble to read, and Memory to hold a pattern for a few seconds. If numbers and words both feel like too much first thing, Memory is a gentle place to start. All three are screen only and work in the dark.
Free to download for iPhone (iOS 17.6 or later). Setting alarms needs WakeOps Premium, an in-app subscription. Every mission can be tried for free.
Common questions
Can I fail it by being slow?
No. There is no time limit, and a wrong tap replays the sequence rather than ending anything. Quick reaction is the mission that asks for speed.
Is it the same sequence every morning?
No. Each sequence is drawn fresh, and the same pad never lights twice in a row.
