Help centre
Fixes for alarms that do not ring
Troubleshooting guides
Start with the one that matches your symptom. Each opens with a short answer, then the full list of causes in the order worth checking.
- iOS
iPhone alarm not going off? Every fix, in order
An iPhone alarm that does not ring is almost always caused by ringer volume set to zero, audio routed to Bluetooth headphones or a speaker, an alarm saved for the wrong AM/PM, or a Focus mode. Check those four before anything else — together they explain most cases.
- iOS
How to change your iPhone alarm sound
Open the Clock app, tap Alarm, tap Edit, choose your alarm, then tap Sound. Pick any built-in tone, or scroll to Pick a Song to use music from your library. Tap Save. The change applies to that alarm only, not all of them.
- iPhone & Android
Why is my alarm not going off?
Alarms fail for four broad reasons: the sound cannot be heard (volume or Bluetooth routing), the alarm was never scheduled correctly (wrong AM/PM or an unsaved edit), the system suppressed it (Focus or battery optimisation), or the app scheduling it was killed by the operating system.
- iPhone & Android
Do alarms work on silent and Do Not Disturb?
Yes. On both iPhone and Android, alarms set in the system clock are designed to sound through silent mode and Do Not Disturb. Alarms that stay silent are usually caused by ringer volume at zero, Bluetooth audio routing, or a custom Focus mode rather than by silent mode itself.
- iPhone & Android
Do alarms work in airplane mode?
Yes. Alarms are scheduled locally on the device, so airplane mode, no SIM and no Wi-Fi all leave them working normally on both iPhone and Android. The exception is third-party alarm apps that fetch something — ads, config or sounds — at the moment the alarm fires.
- Android
Android alarm not working? Battery settings are usually why
On Android, a third-party alarm that does not fire is usually being killed by manufacturer battery optimisation. Set the app to Unrestricted battery usage, enable Autostart where the manufacturer offers it, and grant the Alarms & reminders permission.
Still stuck?
If you use Roosta and something is not working, email support@roosta.app with your phone model and Android or iOS version. That pair of details resolves most reports on the first reply.
If you are choosing an alarm app and want to know how they differ on reliability, the alarm scheduling explainer covers what actually separates them.
FAQ
Quick answers
Why did my alarm not go off?
The four most common causes are ringer volume set to zero, audio routed to a Bluetooth device, an alarm saved for the wrong AM or PM, and — on Android — manufacturer battery optimisation suspending the app. Check those before anything else.
Do alarms work on silent or Do Not Disturb?
Yes. On both iPhone and Android, alarms use a separate audio stream from the ringer and are designed to sound through silent mode and Do Not Disturb. A silent alarm usually means alarm volume or Bluetooth routing, not silent mode.
Do alarms work in airplane mode?
Yes. Alarms are scheduled locally on the device and never need a network connection. The exception is alarm apps that fetch something at ring time — ads, cloud verification or streamed sounds.
Does an alarm work if the phone is switched off?
No. A fully powered-off phone will not fire alarms on either platform. If you need certainty for something important, keep a second alarm on another device.
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