Fixed: iPhone Stuck on Home Critical Alerts

What to Know

  • If you experience your iPhone stuck on Home Critical Alerts, the culprit may be a software bug, an incorrect Home app setting, or a faulty third-party app.
  • Updating and restarting your iPhone, adjusting your Home app settings, and deleting problematic apps can fix iPhone Critical Alerts.

You're not alone if you see a "Home would like to send you Critical Alerts" notification stuck on your iPhone. This annoying Critical Alerts iPhone notification can keep popping up and freezing your phone until you go through several troubleshooting steps. I'll teach you how to fix this issue and correct your Home Critical Alert settings.

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How to Fix Home Would Like to Send You Critical Alerts

Critical Alerts are notifications that bypass Focus Modes such as Do Not Disturb. Since the Home app can be used to control safety features in your home, setting them up correctly is super important. If you get this alert and are able to simply reject the Critical Alerts, then everything is fine. But some iPhones will get stuck showing the alert and can even freeze your phone. To fix your iPhone stuck on Home would like to send Critical Alerts:

Warning

These next steps will completely clear all the data from your Home app. This means that you will have to re-add accessories and recreate any scenes and automations.

  1. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS; if there's an update, install it now.

    Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS; if there's an update, install it now.
  2. Next, try restarting your iPhone.

    Next, try restarting your iPhone.
  3. If you’ve recently installed an app that may be to blame for sending you Critical Alerts, such as a third-party app associated with an accessory in your Home app, try uninstalling it. Many compatible accessories come with their own apps, but those are not always necessary to use the item if you set it up via the Home app.

    If you’ve recently installed an app that may be to blame for sending you Critical Alerts, such as a third-party app associated with an accessory in your Home app, try uninstalling it.
  4. If your Home app is still sending you Critical Alerts that are causing your iPhone to freeze, it may be time to reset your Home app. Open the Home app.

    Open the Home app.
  5. Tap the More icon (three dots).

    Tap the More icon (three dots).
  6. If you have multiple Homes, you’ll have to select the correct Home first. Then, tap the More icon again before selecting Home Settings.

    If you have multiple homes, you’ll have to select the correct Home first. Then, tap the More icon again before selecting Home Settings.
  7. Scroll to the bottom, and if you are 100 percent sure you want to clear all your Home data, tap Remove Home. You will have to confirm that you really want to remove it.

    Scroll to the bottom, and if you are 100% sure you want to clear all your Home data, tap Remove Home.

That’s it! For more Home app tips, ​​check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

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How to Turn Off Critical Alerts on iPhone

You can turn Critical Alerts off, but this means that if your phone is in Focus mode, you will not get any 'emergency' alerts. If you have smart alarms, door locks, or security cameras in your Home app, you might want to keep Critical Alerts toggled on. Plus, toggling this off might not stop the "Home would like to send you Critical Alerts" notifications. To toggle them off or on:

  1. Open Settings and tap Notifications.

    Open Settings and tap Notifications.
  2. Scroll down until you see the Home app and select it.

    Scroll down until you see the Home app and select it.
  3. Here, you can toggle Critical Alerts on or off.

    Here, you can toggle Critical Alerts on or off.

Now you know how to fix your iPhone stuck on Critical Alerts and how to turn on Critical Alerts on iPhone (or turn them off). Next, learn how to create a smart home scene in the iPhone Home App.

FAQ

  • How do I get rid of Home notifications on my iPhone? If you want to get rid of all your Home alerts, follow the steps above and toggle off Critical Alerts, Time Sensitive Notifications, and Allow Notifications. I do not recommend doing this if you have any safety or security accessories in your Home app.
  • What is Home Critical Alerts on iPhone? Critical Alerts are deemed by the app to be extremely important; for example, if you have a smart alarm, a Critical Alert could be smoke or broken glass detection. Critical Alerts bypass any Focus Modes, including the Mute button/switch.
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Author Details

Olena Kagui's picture

Author Details

Olena Kagui

Olena Kagui is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life. In the last 10 years, she has been published in dozens of publications internationally and won an excellence award. Since joining iPhone Life in 2020, she has written how-to articles as well as complex guides about Apple products, software, and apps. Olena grew up using Macs and exploring all the latest tech. Her Maui home is the epitome of an Apple ecosystem, full of compatible smart gear to boot. Olena’s favorite device is the Apple Watch Ultra because it can survive all her adventures and travels, and even her furbabies.