If you want an iPhone alarm that wakes you up, but does not try to shock you to consciousness with obnoxious vibrations, as of iOS 9 it’s now finally possible.
When you create a new alarm, or edit an existing alarm, tap on “Sound”:
Once on the sound list, scroll up to the top to find the buried Vibration setting (which defaults to the bone-jarring Alert):
At the bottom of the Vibration lists are two options. The most surprising new feature is Custom where you can actually program your own custom vibration patterns. Try tapping out a simple song and playing it back. Could be fun.
I choose “None”.
Ah, rest well and wake without the terrifying rattle of the default Vibration Alert. At least until the next daylight savings bug.