📱 Guide · iPhone and Android
How to Set a Song as Your Alarm
Waking up to a song you like is nicer than the default beep. Here's how to set one on iPhone and Android, in under a minute.
Updated October 2026
On iPhone
You need the song in your Apple Music library: from an Apple Music subscription, or bought on iTunes.
- Add the song to your library. In the Music app, find the song and tap + (Add to Library). Tip: download it too, so it plays without internet.
- Open the Clock app and go to Alarms. Tap + for a new alarm, or tap an existing alarm to edit it.
- Tap Sound, then under Songs tap Pick a Song.
- Choose your song, go back, and tap Save. Done.
Spotify and YouTube Music songs can't be used in the iPhone Clock app.
On Android
Menus differ a little by phone. These steps cover the Google Clock app (Pixel and many others) and Samsung phones.
Google Clock
- Open Clock and go to the Alarm tab.
- Tap the alarm, then tap its sound (the bell icon or the current sound name).
- Pick your music: choose a song file on your phone, or pick from Spotify or YouTube Music if they are installed and linked.
Samsung Clock
- Open Clock, tap the alarm, then tap Alarm sound.
- Choose a sound, add your own file with +, or use the Spotify option if your phone offers it.
Tips for a song that actually wakes you up
- Check how it starts. A song with a long, quiet intro is easy to sleep through. Look for "Builds up" or "Loud from the start" in our lists.
- Change it every few weeks. Your brain learns to ignore a song you hear every morning.
- Test it once. Set the alarm for 2 minutes from now and check the volume.
- Heavy sleeper? Use a loud song and put your phone across the room.
Need ideas? Try the best songs to wake up to,gentle wake-up songs orloud songs for heavy sleepers.