The fastest way to set an alarm on Mac
Open the Clock app on your Mac — it comes built in and sits in your Applications folder under Utilities. Click the Alarm tab at the top of the window. Click the plus sign (+) button in the bottom left corner. Set the time you want the alarm to ring, choose which days it should repeat (or leave it as a one-time alarm), give it a label if you want, and click Add. That's it. The alarm will sound at the time you set, even if your Mac is asleep.
If you can't find the Clock app, use Spotlight: press Command + Space, type "Clock", and press Enter. The app opens in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- The Clock app is built into every Mac and requires no read or setup.
- You can set multiple alarms, each with its own time and repeat schedule.
- Alarms sound even when your Mac is in sleep mode, as long as it is powered on.
- You can delete or edit any alarm by selecting it and clicking the minus sign or double-clicking to change the details.
- The alarm sound comes from your Mac's speakers or headphones if they are connected.
Setting a one-time alarm versus a recurring alarm
When you create a new alarm, the Repeat field defaults to "Never" — this creates a one-time alarm that rings once at the time you set. If you want the alarm to ring every day, every weekday, or on specific days of the week, click the Repeat dropdown and choose your pattern. For example, selecting "Weekdays" makes the alarm ring Monday through Friday at the same time each day.
If you need the alarm on only certain days — say, Monday and Wednesday — you have to create separate alarms for each day. The Clock app does not let you pick individual days from a list; you choose from preset patterns or set one-time alarms.
Changing the alarm sound and volume
The default alarm sound is a steady beeping tone. To change it, open System Settings on your Mac, go to Sound, then click Alerts. You can preview different alert sounds and pick the one you prefer. This sound will play for all alarms you set in the Clock app.
The volume of the alarm depends on your Mac's overall volume setting. If your Mac volume is very low, the alarm will be quiet. Before you rely on an alarm, test it by setting one for a minute from now and listening to how loud it is. If you sleep through quiet sounds, you may want to use a louder external speaker or keep your Mac volume higher at night.
What happens if your Mac is closed or asleep
Your Mac does not need to be awake for an alarm to ring. As long as your Mac is powered on — even if the lid is closed or the screen is dark — the alarm will sound at the set time. The alarm will wake your Mac from sleep and play the sound through your speakers or headphones.
If your Mac is completely shut down or unplugged, the alarm will not ring. If you need a reliable alarm while your Mac is off, use your phone's alarm instead.
Editing or deleting an alarm
To change an alarm you already set, open the Clock app and click the Alarm tab. Double-click the alarm you want to edit. Change the time, repeat pattern, or label, then click Save. To delete an alarm, select it and click the minus sign (−) button in the bottom left, or right-click the alarm and choose Delete.
You can also toggle an alarm on or off without deleting it. Look for the toggle switch next to each alarm in the list — click it to turn the alarm off temporarily, and click it again to turn it back on.
Using Siri to set an alarm
You can set an alarm by voice using Siri. Press and hold Command + Space (or click the Siri icon in the menu bar), then say something like "Set an alarm for 7 AM" or "Wake me up at 6:30 tomorrow." Siri will confirm the alarm and add it to your Clock app. This method is faster if your hands are full or if you are already using your Mac for something else.
Siri can also delete alarms by voice. Say "Delete my 7 AM alarm" and Siri will remove it after you confirm.
Troubleshooting alarms that do not ring
If an alarm did not sound, check these things first: Make sure the alarm is toggled on (the switch next to it should be blue and to the right). Check that your Mac was powered on at the time the alarm was set to ring. Look at your Mac's volume — if it is muted or set very low, the alarm may have been too quiet to hear. Open System Settings and go to Sound to check the volume level.
If your Mac was asleep, it should have woken up when the alarm rang. If it did not, restart your Mac and try setting a test alarm for a minute from now. If the test alarm works, the problem was likely a one-time glitch. If it does not work, your Mac may have a deeper issue and you should restart it again or contact Apple Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set multiple alarms for the same time?
Yes. You can create as many alarms as you want, even at the same time of day. Each alarm can have a different label and repeat pattern. If two alarms are set for the same time, both will ring.
Does the alarm ring if I close my Mac or put it to sleep?
Yes, as long as your Mac is powered on. The alarm will ring and wake your Mac from sleep. If your Mac is completely shut down, the alarm will not ring.
Can I use a custom sound as my alarm?
The Clock app uses the alert sounds from your Mac's System Settings. You cannot upload a custom sound file to use only for alarms. You can choose from the built-in alert sounds available in Sound settings.
What if I want an alarm on my Mac and my iPhone at the same time?
Set the alarm separately on each device. The Clock app on Mac and the Clock app on iPhone do not sync alarms between them. You will need to create the alarm twice if you want it to ring on both devices.
Why is my alarm not loud enough?
Check your Mac's volume in the menu bar at the top right of the screen. If the volume icon shows a low level or a mute symbol, increase the volume. You can also go to System Settings, click Sound, and adjust the Alert volume slider. Test the alarm by setting one for one minute from now.