Change your Alexa alarm sound through the Alexa app or by voice command
You can change what sound plays when your Alexa alarm goes off in two ways: through the Alexa mobile app on your phone, or by asking Alexa directly. The app method gives you the most choices and takes about a minute. The voice command method is faster if you already know which sound you want.
Alexa comes with a set of built-in alarm tones, and you can also use songs from your music library or sounds from compatible smart home devices. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are setting a new alarm or changing an existing one.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Alexa app, tap the alarm clock icon at the bottom, select your alarm, and tap "Sound" to browse and preview available tones before saving.
- You can set different alarm sounds for different alarms — one alarm can use a bell tone while another uses a song from your music library.
- Voice commands like "Alexa, set my alarm sound to chime" work for some built-in tones, but the app gives you access to all available sounds.
- If you do not see a sound you want in the app, check that your Alexa device has the latest software update installed.
Using the Alexa app to change an existing alarm sound
Open the Alexa app on your phone and tap the alarm clock icon at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of all your alarms. Find the alarm you want to change and tap it to open the alarm details.
Tap the "Sound" option. A menu will appear showing all available alarm sounds organized by category — "Alarms," "Music," "Sounds," and sometimes "Routines" depending on what you have set up. Tap any sound to hear a preview of what it sounds like. Once you find the one you want, tap it to select it, then tap "Save" at the top of the screen.
Setting an alarm sound when creating a new alarm
In the Alexa app, tap the plus sign (+) to create a new alarm. Set the time and days you want the alarm to repeat, then tap "Sound" before you save. The sound selection menu works the same way as changing an existing alarm — browse the categories, preview sounds by tapping them, and select the one you want.
After you choose your sound, tap "Save" to create the alarm with that sound. You can change it anytime by opening the alarm again and tapping "Sound."
Using voice commands to change alarm sounds
You can ask Alexa to change an alarm sound by voice, but only for certain built-in tones. Say something like "Alexa, change my alarm sound to chime" or "Alexa, set my alarm to the bell sound." Alexa will confirm the change.
The voice command method works for common tones like "chime," "bell," "alarm," "siren," and a few others, but it does not give you access to all sounds available in the app. If you want to use a song or a less common sound, use the app instead.
Using songs from your music library as an alarm sound
If you have music stored in your Amazon Music library or linked to your Alexa account, you can use a song as your alarm sound. Open the Alexa app, go to your alarm, and tap "Sound." Look for the "Music" category and browse your library. Tap a song to preview it, then select it to set it as your alarm.
When the alarm goes off, the song will start playing from the beginning. This works well if you want to wake up to a favorite track instead of a traditional alarm tone. Keep in mind that if the song is very quiet, you might sleep through it — test it once before relying on it as your main alarm.
Troubleshooting when sounds are missing or not working
If you do not see the sound you expect in the app, or if an alarm is not playing the sound you selected, first check that your Alexa device has the latest software. Open the Alexa app, go to "Devices," select your device, scroll down to "Device Software Version," and check if an update is available. Install any pending updates and try again.
If a song from your music library is not working as an alarm sound, make sure the song is actually in your Amazon Music library and not just in a playlist you follow. Songs you follow but do not own sometimes cannot be used as alarm sounds. Try selecting a different song to see if the problem is with that specific track or with the feature itself.
Different alarms can have different sounds
You do not have to use the same alarm sound for every alarm. If you have multiple alarms set — one for weekdays, one for weekends, one for a specific appointment — you can give each one its own sound. This is useful if you want a gentle tone for a weekend alarm and a louder tone for an important morning alarm.
To set different sounds, open each alarm individually in the Alexa app and change the sound for that alarm only. The changes explore only to that specific alarm and do not affect your other alarms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any song as an alarm sound?
Only songs in your Amazon Music library or linked music services work as alarm sounds. Songs you follow in a playlist but do not own may not work. Try selecting a song you own outright, or use one of the built-in alarm tones instead.
Why is my alarm still using the old sound after I changed it?
Make sure you tapped "Save" after selecting the new sound — the change does not take effect until you save it. If you saved but the old sound still plays, restart your Alexa device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
Can I set a different alarm sound for weekdays and weekends?
Yes. Create two separate alarms — one set to repeat on weekdays and one on weekends — and give each alarm its own sound. You can manage both in the Alexa app under the alarm clock icon.
What if I cannot hear my alarm sound?
Check that your Alexa device volume is turned up. You can adjust it using the volume buttons on the device itself or by saying "Alexa, set volume to 7." If the volume is already high, try switching to a louder alarm tone in the app.
Do I need an Amazon Music subscription to use songs as alarms?
You need songs to be in your Amazon Music library, which may require a subscription depending on which songs you want. Built-in alarm tones do not require any subscription and work on any Alexa device.