What does Apple say about Silent mode and Do Not Disturb?
Apple's support page on alarms says: “Do Not Disturb, the Ring/Silent switch, and Silent mode don't affect the alarm sound.” The page adds that the alarm still sounds if you turn on Silent mode with the Ring/Silent switch or the Action button.
The iPhone User Guide gives the same list. Your alarm sounds even when you turn on Silent mode, turn on Do Not Disturb or another Focus, or connect headphones.
Which settings affect an iPhone alarm?
| Setting | Does the Clock alarm sound? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Silent mode | Yes | The Ring/Silent switch and the Action button do not affect the alarm sound. |
| Do Not Disturb | Yes | Apple names Do Not Disturb as a mode in which the alarm sounds. |
| Sleep Focus or another Focus | Yes | Apple's guide says “Do Not Disturb (or another Focus)”. |
| Headphones connected | Yes | The alarm plays through the iPhone speaker and through the headphones. |
| Low alarm volume | Quiet | The volume slider in Settings controls how loud the alarm is. |
| Alarm sound set to None | No sound | The iPhone vibrates and plays no sound. |
Does an iPhone alarm work in the Sleep Focus?
Yes. The Sleep Focus is a Focus, and a Clock alarm sounds in every Focus.
There are two types of alarm, and they are separate:
- A Clock alarm. You set it in the Alarms tab of the Clock app. Apple says that an alarm in Clock is unrelated to a sleep schedule.
- A wake up alarm. It is part of a sleep schedule in the Health app. It has its own sound, its own volume slider and its own on and off switch.
If you use a sleep schedule, open its alarm options and check that Alarm is on and that the volume slider is not low.
Why is my alarm quiet when silent mode is not the cause?
Apple lists these checks for an alarm that does not sound or is too quiet:
- Set the volume. Open Settings, then Sounds & Haptics, and drag the volume slider for alarms. In iOS 26, the slider is under Ringtone and Alerts.
- Check the alarm sound. In the Clock app, edit the alarm, tap Sound and select a sound. If the sound is None, the iPhone only vibrates.
- Remember StandBy. When you use StandBy, haptics for alarms are disabled.
The iPhone User Guide also says that Attention Aware Features can lower the volume of some alerts when you look at the iPhone. For more checks, see iPhone alarm has no sound on iOS 26.
Do alarm apps from the App Store ring on silent and in a Focus?
It depends on how the app schedules its alarms. Since iOS 26, apps can use AlarmKit, Apple's alarm framework. Apple's developer documentation says that an AlarmKit alarm overrides Focus and Silent mode. An app that sends a standard notification follows your notification settings, so Silent mode and a Focus can mute it. See what AlarmKit is.
Waker is an iPhone alarm app that schedules its alarms with AlarmKit. A Waker alarm rings when your iPhone is on silent, when a Focus is on and when the app is closed.
Common questions
Does the iPhone alarm ring when the phone is on silent?
Yes. Apple states that Silent mode and the Ring/Silent switch do not affect the alarm sound.
Does the alarm go off in Do Not Disturb?
Yes. Apple's iPhone User Guide says that your alarm sounds when you turn on Do Not Disturb or another Focus.
Does the alarm play with headphones connected?
Yes. Apple says that the alarm plays through the built-in speaker and through the headphones. See iPhone alarms and AirPods.
Does the alarm need an internet connection?
A Clock alarm is stored on the iPhone. See iPhone alarms on airplane mode.
Sources
- How to set and change alarms on your iPhone. Apple Support, April 2026.
- Set an alarm in Clock on iPhone. iPhone User Guide, Apple.
- Set up sleep in Health on iPhone. iPhone User Guide, Apple.
- Change Face ID and attention settings on iPhone. iPhone User Guide, Apple.
- Scheduling an alarm with AlarmKit. Apple Developer Documentation.