The light alarm clock Philips HF3550 and iOS 9 - The problem and the possible solution for iOS users

Philips HF3550 light alarm clock with iPhone

First of all: The article should be of particular interest to people who have a Philips light alarm clock that listens to the model number HF3550. This alarm clock got a massive problem with the update from Apple to iOS 9, because the iPhone app that Philips offers in the store no longer works with the current Apple operating system. Many users also seem to have had problems with iOS 8, but the situation had worsened again with iOS 9.

Philips HF3550 light alarm clock with iPhone
While the Philips HF3550 wake-up light works with the iPhone and iPod Touch, it's a good idea to keep iOS at version 7. An update to iOS 8 or iOS 9 does that for many customers App useless (photo: Philips).

Update to iOS 9 makes the HF3550 unusable

Since the light alarm clock can ONLY be set and controlled via the iPhone or iPod app, all users who have updated their iPod or iPhone to iOS 9 are no longer able to use the sunrise alarm clock. Since the "Philips 3550 Wake-Up-Light" is the top model from Philips, one would think that Philips would certainly make quick improvements here so that customers can use their wake-up light again as soon as possible - but this is apparently not the case. If you search the Internet for “HF3550” and “iOS 9”, you will find wild complaints from customers on the Philips homepage:

Philips has stopped developing the necessary iOS app. The current app does not officially work with iOS 9.
The alarm clock stayed with us for a long time and we were very satisfied. And suddenly it's useless. This is because the device cannot be used without the app, as the necessary switches (as found on the other light alarm clocks in the product line) are missing on this device.
We are very disappointed and are now sitting on an alarm clock that can only be used as a lamp.

In October 2015 (last update), Philips put this sentence into the app description:

Philips would like to thank its valued users for their patience during the previous app updates.
This is the last app update as the app is unfortunately no longer supported on iOS 9.
To continue using the Philips Wake-up Light, use an iPhone or iPod with iOS 8 (or lower).

The app's rating shows how customers react to this:

... simply unbelievable. This really anything but cheap alarm clock is now degenerating into a bedside lamp, because in the future it will not even be possible to set the time for which a connection to the iPhone must be established, which - let's not kid ourselves - actually never worked properly anyway and now officially will no longer work with the new iOS versions. Just incredibly weak and embarrassing from Philips! As a precaution, I let the Hue system that I had just ordered go back - I trust Philips on it
iOS sector no longer a whit….

It is interesting that there are still some users who can turn the lamp into an alarm clock with iOS 9:

The app had not worked since iOS 8.3 (iPhone 5s, with adapter (Lightning to docking connector) on the WakeUp light) - but everything works again with 9.1! Hallelujah!

But most of the reviews are clearly negative and the statement by Philips that the app will no longer be updated shows in which direction it will go.

The solution: an old iPod Touch

iPod Touch 4G used
The iPod Touch 4G still works with an iOS that works with the Philips app. So you can get your expensive light alarm clock going again with a used device.

There is a solution for everyone who now has the expensive sunrise alarm clock at home without proper function! You have to put more money into it, but after that you can at least use the Philips HF3550 again. The solution that I would recommend is an old iPod Touch that still has the docking connector (unfortunately the light alarm clock does not have a Lightning connector, but rather the old 30-pin connector). Likewise, iOS 8 shouldn't be running on it yet, because the problems probably started with this version of the operating system - but I believe that you only get iOS 6 and iOS 7 on the model below anyway.

The iPod Touch 4G (4th generation), which is the last model with a dock connector (30-pin connector) and an iOS 6 and higher, comes into question. iOS 6 is the minimum requirement of the Philips app, so the iPod Touch 3G is unfortunately not available, as it can only be updated up to iOS 5.1.1.

Buy used iPod Touch 4G

Now the question is where to buy the old iPod Touch. I always recommend Amazon when buying used equipment like this. Even if the online mail order company is not known for buying and selling used electronics, I like to get my used Apple devices there, as I have had sellers on eBay who were very dodgy on a number of occasions. The devices that I was offered were either stolen or not even owned by the seller, which I noticed from the fact that the seller could not provide me with an invoice or reasonable, up-to-date photos of the devices. Later, I even got a warning from eBay that this seller was "under review" and all of their listings were disabled - a clear sign that I was right in my assessment.

At Amazon you have more reputable companies that offer used and usually refurbished iPods and iPhones. You will receive an invoice and also a guarantee or warranty. And even if there should really be a defect, you can easily complain about it via Amazon and get your money back if necessary.

With the said iPod Touch 4G we only need a variant with a small memory. The 8GB in the smallest model is quite enough as we only need a bit of music and the Philips app”Wake up light” want to install.

The offers on Amazon can be found here (from approx. 70 EUR):

With this iPod model - which, as far as I know, cannot even be updated to iOS 8 - you should then be able to operate the Wake-Up-Light HF 3550 again.

Philips HF3520: the alternative to the HF3550 light alarm clock

Philips HF3520 - the alternative to the HF3550
Philips HF3520 - the alternative to the HF3550 light alarm clock (Photo: Amazon).

If you don't have a sunrise alarm clock yet and are interested in a model, I would go for the "smaller" model Philips HF3520 recommend. This is still operated “manually” and has integrated the sunrise and sunset simulator with LED lighting, just like the top model. Here, too, customers are relatively unanimous that it is nice to be gently woken up with the increasing brightness of the sunrise alarm clock.

But good luck with “repairing” the Philips HF3550 and with waking it up gently!

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2 comments on “The Philips HF3550 wake-up light and iOS 9 – The problem and the possible solution for iOS users”

    1. Hello Steffen! Unfortunately there is no help. If Philips no longer offers the app, there is no other way to install it. Sorry ...

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