The fastest way to change an alarm sound

Open the Clock app on your iPhone, tap the Alarm tab at the bottom, then tap Edit in the upper left. Select the alarm you want to change, tap Sound near the top of the screen, and choose a new ringtone from the list. Tap Back, then Done to save.

The entire process takes about 30 seconds. Your iPhone comes with dozens of built-in alarm sounds, and you can also use any song from your Music library or any ringtone you have downloaded.

Key Takeaways

  • The Clock app's Alarm tab is where you change any alarm sound — you do not need to go through Settings.
  • Built-in sounds like Alarm, Beacon, and Chime are always available without needing to read anything.
  • You can set a different sound for each alarm, so your morning alarm can sound different from your afternoon reminder.
  • If you want to use a song from your Music library, that song must be downloaded to your phone, not just saved to a playlist.

Where to find the Sound option for each alarm

Start by opening the Clock app — it is the icon that looks like a clock face, usually on your home screen or in the Utilities folder. Tap the Alarm tab at the bottom of the screen (it is the rightmost tab).

You will see a list of all your alarms. Find the one you want to change and tap Edit in the upper left corner. The alarm will open in edit mode. Scroll up or down until you see the Sound option — it shows the current sound name next to it, like "Alarm" or "Chime".

Choosing from built-in alarm sounds

Tap the Sound option and a list of ringtones will appear. The built-in sounds are organized into groups: Alarm, Bells, Electronic, and others. Scroll through and tap any sound to hear a preview — it will play for a few seconds so you can decide if you like it.

Once you find one you want, tap it to select it. The checkmark next to the sound name confirms it is chosen. Then tap Back to return to the alarm edit screen, and tap Done in the upper right to save your changes.

Using a song from your Music library as an alarm

If you want to use a song instead of a built-in sound, that song must already be downloaded to your phone. Streaming songs that exist only in your iCloud Music Library will not work as alarms.

Tap the Sound option, then scroll to the bottom of the list and tap Pick a Song. Your Music library will open. Find and tap the song you want. A preview will play, and once you confirm it, tap Back and then Done to save.

The song will start playing from the beginning when the alarm goes off. If the song is very long, your alarm will keep playing until you dismiss it, so shorter songs often work better for waking up.

Why some songs will not appear in the alarm list

If a song is in your Music app but does not show up when you try to pick it as an alarm, it is almost certainly a streaming-only song. These songs live on Apple's servers and are not stored on your phone, so iOS cannot use them as alarms.

To use a song as an alarm, you need to read it to your phone first. Open Music, find the song, tap the cloud icon with a down arrow next to it, and wait for the read to finish. Once it shows a checkmark instead of a cloud, you can use it as an alarm sound.

Setting different sounds for different alarms

Each alarm can have its own sound. This is useful if you want your 6 a.m. alarm to be loud and jarring, but your 9 a.m. reminder to be gentler. Just edit each alarm separately and choose a different sound for each one.

You can also change the sound for a recurring alarm without affecting the others. If you have a weekday alarm and a weekend alarm, they can sound completely different.

What to do if you cannot hear your alarm sound

If you set a new alarm sound but cannot hear it when the alarm goes off, check your phone's volume. The alarm uses the ringer volume, not the media volume. Press one of the physical volume buttons on the side of your phone and make sure the ringer volume slider is turned up.

Also check that your phone is not in Silent mode — the mute switch on the left side of your phone should be pushed toward the back (not showing orange). If Silent mode is on, the alarm will vibrate but not make a sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a ringtone I bought from the iTunes Store as an alarm?

Yes. Ringtones you have purchased appear in the Sound list under a Ringtones section. Tap any of them to use it as your alarm sound. They work the same way as built-in sounds.

What happens if I delete a song from my phone after setting it as an alarm?

The alarm will stop working and will fall back to the default Alarm sound. If you want to keep using that song, do not delete it from your Music library.

Can I record my own voice and use it as an alarm?

Not directly through the Clock app. You would need to record yourself using the Voice Memos app, save it as a song file, and then add it to your Music library — a process that requires a computer or third-party app. The built-in sounds and Music library songs are the easiest options.

Do I need to change the alarm sound in Settings instead of the Clock app?

No. The Clock app is the correct place to change individual alarm sounds. Settings controls system sounds like notifications and ringtones, but not alarms.