How to Change Your iPhone Wake-Up Sound (Get Your Favorite Tune in Under 2 Minutes)

Wake Up Happy: Transform Your Morning Experience

Tired of that harsh default sound jolting you awake? Your Apple iPhone has dozens of built-in tones. You can also use any song from your music library as your wake-up call. This guide shows you how to change your iPhone settings. Create a better morning routine in just minutes.

Time Needed: 1-2 minutes per sound Skill Level: Easy for beginners Result: Custom wake-up sounds that match your style

What You Need

• iPhone with iOS 10 or later
• The Clock app (comes with every Apple device)
• Apple Music or bought songs for custom music
• No backup needed - this only affects sound settings

Step 1: Open Clock and Find Your Wake-Up Sounds

Find the Clock app on your iPhone home screen. It has a white clock face icon. Tap to open it. Next, tap the “Wake-Up” tab at the bottom if it’s not selected.

You should see: Your current wake-up times listed, or a “+” button to make a new one.

Step 2: Pick the Wake-Up Time to Change

Tap “Edit” in the top-left corner. Then tap the wake-up time you want to change. Or, if making a new one, tap the "+" button in the top-right.

You should see: The editing screen with time, repeat days, label, and sound options.

Step 3: Open the Sound Menu

In the editing screen, tap “Sound”. This row shows your current wake-up sound name, like “Radar” or “Classic.”

You should see: A full list of sounds in groups like “Classic,” “Reflections,” and “Alerts.” You’ll also see “Store” and “Pick a song” options.

Step 4: Try and Pick Your Perfect Sound

Look through the sound groups. Tap any sound name to hear it play. Each sound plays for about 3 seconds. This helps you know how it will sound as your wake-up call.

Built-in choices include:

• Classic: Old-style sounds like “Bell” and “Horn”
• Reflections: Soft wake-up sounds like “Silk” and “Slow Rise”
• Alerts: Sharp attention sounds like “Radar” and “Presto”

You should see: A blue check mark next to your chosen sound. Each sound plays when you tap it.

Step 5: Use Your Own Song (Optional)

For a personal wake-up experience, tap “Pick a song” at the top. This opens your music library. You can pick any song you own.

Browse your music by Artists, Albums, or Songs. Then tap your chosen track. The song will start from the beginning when your Apple device wakes you up.

You should see: Your music library with options to browse and select any song.

Step 6: Save Your New Choice

After picking your sound, tap “Back” in the top-left corner. This takes you back to the editing screen. You’ll see your new sound choice in the “Sound” row.

Tap “Save” in the top-right corner to apply your changes.

You should see: Your wake-up list with the updated entry showing your new sound choice.

Step 7: Test Your New Wake-Up Sound

Set a test for 1-2 minutes from now. This lets you check the volume level. You can make sure you like your sound choice.

You should experience: Your new wake-up sound playing at the set time. This gives you confidence in your pick.

Fixing Common Problems

• “Pick a song” is grayed out: Make sure you have music on your device or active Apple Music. Downloaded Apple Music songs or iTunes purchases work best.

• Custom song doesn’t play the right part: iPhone wake-up calls always start songs from the beginning. To use a specific part, make a custom tone using GarageBand. You can also buy pre-made tones from iTunes.

• Volume too low or high: Wake-up volume uses your iPhone’s main volume settings. Test and adjust using the side buttons. Or go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringer and Alerts.

• Sound stops too quickly: This is normal - wake-up calls keep playing until you turn them off. Previews in the menu only play a few seconds.

• Can’t find downloaded music: Make sure your music is actually on your device, not just streaming. Check that songs show a download icon in your Music app.

Advanced Tips

• Make Custom Tones: Use GarageBand (free iPhone app) to create personal wake-up sounds from any audio file. You can start at specific times or create unique fade-ins.

• Different Sounds for Different Days: Set up multiple wake-up times with different sounds for weekdays versus weekends. Create themed wake-up calls for different activities.

• Gentle Wake-Up: Pick sounds from “Reflections” like “Slow Rise” or “Silk.” These start quiet and slowly get louder for a gentler wake-up.

• Backup Wake-Up Calls: Set multiple wake-up times 5-10 minutes apart with different sounds. This ensures you wake up, especially for important events.

Wrap Up

You’ve successfully changed your iPhone wake-up sound to match your style. This simple change can greatly improve your morning routine. Replace harsh wake-up calls with sounds that energize you or gently wake you up.

Remember you can change your wake-up sounds anytime you want. Try different options for different seasons, moods, or life phases. Your future self will thank you for taking these two minutes. You’ve created a more pleasant start to each day.

Pro tip: Consider changing your wake-up sound every few weeks. This prevents your brain from getting too used to one tone. This can reduce how well it works over time.