How to Set an Alarm on Your Phone (Even If It’s on Silent)
How to Set an Alarm on Your Phone (Even If It’s on Silent)
Need a reliable wake-up call, medication reminder, or just a nudge to get out the door on time? You don’t need a separate alarm clock — your phone has one built in. And yes, your phone’s alarm will still ring even if it’s on silent or Do Not Disturb, as long as it’s set up correctly.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know: how to set alarms on both iPhone and Android, how to customize them, what to do if an alarm doesn’t go off, and how to make your phone work for you as a helpful reminder tool. We’ll also answer common questions and share extra tips for using alarms beyond just waking up.
And remember, if anything’s confusing or doesn’t seem to be working, TechPals is always here to help — just visit techpals.org for personalized support.
Why Use Your Phone’s Alarm?
The alarm feature on your phone isn’t just for waking up. Here are a few smart ways people use it every day:
Wake-up alarms
Reminders to take medication
Alerts to leave for appointments
Timed reminders for cooking
Break reminders during work
Quiet time signals (like “Time to stop scrolling!”)
Phone alarms are reliable, flexible, and already built into the device you carry everywhere. Plus, you can set multiple alarms, label them, and choose the sound — making them way more customizable than a traditional alarm clock.
Setting an Alarm on iPhone
The iPhone’s Clock app is simple to use, but it has a few hidden features worth knowing about.
How to Set a Basic Alarm:
Open the Clock app (it looks like an old-fashioned alarm clock)
Tap the Alarm tab at the bottom
Tap the + icon in the top right corner
Use the scroll wheel to set your desired time
Choose AM or PM
Tap Save
That’s it — your alarm is now set!
Extra Features You Can Use:
Repeat — You can set the alarm to repeat on specific days (like Monday through Friday).
Label — Give your alarm a name, like “Morning Meds” or “Zoom Meeting.”
Sound — Choose a ringtone or song from your library to use as the alarm sound.
Snooze — Turn snooze on or off, depending on your preference.
Will My Alarm Still Ring on Silent?
✅ Yes — on an iPhone, your alarm will still go off even if your phone is on silent or Do Not Disturb. This is one of the most important — and misunderstood — features of the built-in Clock app.
Here’s how it works:
When you set an alarm using the Clock app, it’s handled as a special system-level function. That means the alarm is programmed to ring no matter your sound settings. So whether your ringer switch is set to silent, your volume is turned low, or you’ve enabled Do Not Disturb to block calls and notifications, your alarm will still sound at full volume, as long as the ringer volume is not completely muted.
This applies even if:
Your phone is face-down
You have Do Not Disturb scheduled overnight
You turned on a Focus mode (like Sleep or Personal)
Your phone is locked and screen off
Your ringer is set to silent with the physical switch on the side
What will prevent an alarm from sounding:
Your phone is powered off
Your phone’s battery died
The ringer volume is all the way down
You accidentally deleted or turned off the alarm
How to double-check your ringer volume:
Unlock your phone and go to the home screen
Press the volume up button — this adjusts your ringer volume (not just media like videos)
You should see a volume indicator labeled “Ringer”
If you want to be extra sure, open the Clock app, tap your alarm, and play the selected sound — you’ll hear what it will sound like when it goes off.
Still nervous? You’re not alone — a lot of people worry their alarm won’t ring, especially before important events. If you want a quick check or a test run, TechPals can walk you through it. We’ve helped hundreds of users confirm their alarms are working, and we’re happy to help you feel confident it’ll wake you up when you need it.
Setting an Alarm on Android
The process is similar, but varies slightly depending on your phone’s brand (Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, etc.).
How to Set a Basic Alarm:
Open the Clock app (you can search for it or find it in your app drawer)
Tap the Alarm tab
Tap the + or “Add” button
Set your desired time
Tap Save
You’ll now see the alarm in your list of active alarms. You can tap it again to edit or turn it off.
Customization Options:
Label — Add a note or description to the alarm
Repeat — Set recurring days
Alarm Tone — Choose a default ringtone, music file, or custom sound
Vibration — Enable or disable vibrating along with the tone
Snooze settings — Customize snooze duration and number of repeats
Will My Alarm Still Ring on Silent?
✅ Usually yes, but this can vary by device. Most modern Android phones are set up to allow alarms through even when your phone is muted or in Do Not Disturb mode.
To be sure:
Go to Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb
Tap on “Alarms & other interruptions”
Make sure Alarms are allowed during Do Not Disturb
Still not sure? TechPals.org can help you check your exact model’s settings.
Using Voice Commands to Set an Alarm
Want to set an alarm without opening any apps or touching the screen? Just use your voice!
For iPhone (with Siri):
“Hey Siri, set an alarm for 6:30 AM”
“Hey Siri, set an alarm for 20 minutes from now”
“Hey Siri, turn off all alarms”
For Android (with Google Assistant):
“Hey Google, wake me up at 7 AM”
“Hey Google, set a repeating alarm for weekdays at 8:00”
“Hey Google, cancel my next alarm”
Using voice commands is a fast, hands-free option — especially useful when you’re getting ready for bed or busy in the kitchen.
What to Do If Your Alarm Isn’t Working
Sometimes, an alarm doesn’t ring when you expect it to. Here are the most common causes and how to fix them:
1. Your volume is too low (or off):
On both iPhone and Android, alarms rely on your ringer volume, not your media volume. Use the side buttons to turn the volume up while on the home screen.
2. Alarm is not enabled:
Double-check that the alarm is actually turned on. In most apps, there’s a toggle next to each alarm time.
3. Battery-saving modes are interfering:
On Android, some battery or sleep settings can limit background apps. Go to Settings → Battery → App Battery Management and ensure the Clock app is unrestricted.
4. Phone is off or battery died:
Alarms won’t work if your phone is fully powered off. Keep your phone charged overnight if you rely on it as your alarm clock.
5. A third-party app is conflicting:
If you’ve installed other clock or sound management apps, they might be overriding your alarm. Try uninstalling or checking their settings.
If none of these steps work, restart your phone and test with a new alarm. Still no luck? TechPals is just one click away.
How to Use Alarms for More Than Waking Up
Your alarm doesn’t have to be a once-a-day thing. Here are some creative and helpful ways to use alarms for daily routines:
Hydration reminder: Set an hourly alarm to drink water
Medication alerts: Schedule alarms for each dose time
Stretch or move breaks: Use alarms to remind yourself to get up from your desk
Meeting prep: Set an alarm 5 minutes before each meeting starts
Evening wind-down: A gentle alarm at night to stop using screens
Time to leave: Reminders to get out the door or transition tasks
You can label these alarms by task, adjust tones to match your mood, and even color-code your reminders using widgets or shortcuts. TechPals can help you build a system that works with your habits — not against them.
Alarm vs. Timer vs. Reminder: What’s the Difference?
Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they’re slightly different tools. Here’s a breakdown:
Feature Alarm Timer Reminder When it rings At a specific time (7:00 AM) After a set duration (10 minutes) At a time or location Purpose Waking up, timed events Cooking, task limits To-dos, one-time notes Repeats? Yes Optional Yes (with calendar apps) Built-in? Yes, in Clock app Yes, in Clock app Yes, in Reminders (iOS) or Google Assistant
Each has a role — and TechPals can help you figure out which one best fits your needs.
Related Questions People Ask
Will my alarm still go off if my phone is on silent?
What’s the difference between snooze and stop?
Can I set a song as my alarm tone?
What happens if I turn off my phone overnight?
How do I delete old alarms I no longer use?
If you’re wondering about any of these — or need help doing them on your phone — just ask a TechPal. Visit techpals.org and we’ll walk you through it, one screen at a time.
Final Thoughts: Wake Up Confident
Your phone’s alarm isn’t just a backup plan — it can be the most reliable, flexible tool in your daily routine. Whether you’re trying to build a habit, stick to a schedule, or just wake up without oversleeping, your phone is ready to help — as long as you know how to use it.
You don’t need a separate app. You don’t need to buy anything new. You just need to know where to tap, what to double-check, and how to make it work for you.
And if you’d rather not figure it out alone? That’s what TechPals is here for. We’ll help you set up alarms, troubleshoot problems, and even create systems that keep your whole day on track.
Visit techpals.org to get help — or explore our blog for more simple, clear, helpful guides like this one.
Because staying on schedule shouldn’t be stressful. Let your tech pals make it easy.
