I can't comment regarding the iPhone or Install as the install went fine and I don't use a cell to access it. As for the alarm, I just shut it off as I didn't need the DVR to make an audible sound. Make sure that you are connecting a monitor directly to the DVR as the menus are different then if you log in through the software and you can turn it off or adjust how long it goes off for different types of alerts. Good luck!