How to use a song as your alarm sound (iPhone and Android)
Besides the built-in sounds, your alarm can play a song you like. Here are the steps for iPhone and Android.
Before you switch to a song
In the Clock app, each alarm has its own sound. To use a song, the song has to be on the phone or in a music app. First, see what your phone can use.
| Phone | Songs you can use | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (Clock app) | Songs in your library in the Music app | Add the song to your library |
| Android (Google Clock app) | Audio files on the device, songs from a music app | An audio file, or a music app you are signed in to |
Screen names and layout can differ by model and OS version.
Steps on iPhone
- In the Clock app, tap Alarms and tap the alarm you want to change.
- Tap Sound.
- Use the option to pick a song and choose one from Music.
- Tap Back, then Save.
You can choose songs that are in your library in the Music app. If the song you want does not show up, add it to your library in the Music app first.
The sound is set for each alarm. You can use one song for weekday alarms and another for weekend alarms.
The alarm volume is set by the “Ringtone and Alerts” slider in Settings → Sounds & Haptics. When you change the song, check the volume too. For more on alarms, see How to use alarms on iPhone.
One tap cannot stop it. YOBIOKO, the alarm you stop by typingSee the app
Steps on Android (Google Clock app)
- In the Clock app, tap Alarm and tap the alarm you want to change to open it. On some screens you tap the down arrow to open it.
- Tap the name of the current sound.
- Choose a music app (YouTube Music, Spotify and others) and pick a song.
To use an audio file on the device, choose “Add new”. You can use an audio file you have downloaded as the alarm sound.
To use songs from a music app, the app must be installed and signed in. Some apps let only paid members pick a song. In some apps, free members can pick only a playlist.
Phones that come with the maker's own clock app have different steps. In that case, look for an item like “Alarm sound” on the alarm's edit screen. For the Google Clock app, see How to use alarms on Android.
Test it once after you set it
Picking a song does not tell you if it will play in the morning. Test it once before bed.
- Make one alarm with the same song, set a few minutes ahead.
- Turn off the screen and wait.
- When the song plays, check how loud it is and how the start sounds.
- Delete the test alarm.
In the Google Clock app, if two alarms are set too close together, the first one may be canceled. When you test, leave at least 5 minutes between alarms.
If it does not work
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| The song is not in the list | Is the song on the device? Are you signed in to the music app? |
| The music app is not listed (Android) | Is the app installed? Only some music apps work with the Clock app |
| A different sound played in the morning | Without a connection, the song may not load and the default sound plays |
| Too quiet | Check the alarm volume. On Android, the Alarm volume is separate from the media volume |
| It only vibrates, no sound (iPhone) | Check that the alarm's Sound is not set to “None” |
| It plays but is hard to notice | The song may start quietly. Change to another song |
If it still does not ring, go through iPhone alarm not going off? A checklist or Android alarm not going off? A checklist.
Choosing a song
- A clear start: with a quiet intro, it takes longer to notice.
- Not your favorite: you will hear it every morning.
- Saved on the device: it does not depend on the network.
- Fine for others to hear: in the morning, the sound reaches the same room and the next room.
- Split by day: if you have separate weekday and weekend alarms, use separate songs. Then the sound alone tells you which alarm it is.
In alarm apps
In alarm apps other than Clock, the sounds you can choose are set by each app. In YOBIOKO, choose from “Alarm sound” in the app's settings.
Common questions
Can each alarm have a different song?
Yes. On both iPhone and Android, the sound is chosen for each alarm.
Does the song play in silent mode?
Alarms in the iPhone Clock app ring even in Silent mode or Do Not Disturb. On Android, the Alarm volume is separate from the ring volume. But depending on your Do Not Disturb settings, alarms may be silenced too. See Will my alarm ring in silent mode, airplane mode or with the phone off?.
Does it ring if I sleep with headphones connected?
On iPhone, the alarm also plays through the built-in speaker when headphones are connected. On Android this can differ by model, so test it once.
What happens if I cancel my music app membership?
You may no longer be able to choose that song. Before you cancel, it is safer to change the alarm to a sound on the device or a built-in sound.
Summary
- On iPhone, open the alarm's Sound and choose a song from your Music library.
- In the Google Clock app on Android, choose a song from a music app or an audio file on the device.
- After you change the song, ring it once with an alarm a few minutes ahead and check the volume and the start.
- A song may not load without a connection, so on important days a sound saved on the device is safer.