Understanding How Alarms Work on a Phone
If you’re someone who relies on their phone’s alarm to wake up in the morning or to remind you of important appointments or tasks throughout the day, you may have wondered whether alarms go off when the phone is on silent. The short answer is yes, alarms will still go off even if your phone is on silent or in “Do Not Disturb” mode.

When you set an alarm on your phone, it’s usually set to a separate system volume, which means it’s not affected by your phone’s ringtone or notification settings. This allows the alarm to go off at the designated time, regardless of whether your phone is on silent or not.
Troubleshooting Alarms That Don’t Go Off When Phone is on Silent
If you’ve set an alarm on your phone and it’s not going off when your phone is on silent, there are a few things you can check to troubleshoot the issue:
- Check your alarm settings: Make sure that the alarm is set to the correct time and that it’s enabled. If you’re using a third-party alarm app, make sure that it’s set to the correct alarm volume.
- Check your phone settings: If you’re using an Android phone, go to Settings > Sound > Alarm volume and make sure that the volume is turned up. If you’re using an iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringer and Alerts and make sure that the “Change with Buttons” option is turned on.
- Check your “Do Not Disturb” settings: If your phone is in “Do Not Disturb” mode, it’s possible that your alarm won’t go off. To fix this, go to your phone’s settings and turn off “Do Not Disturb” or add an exception for your alarm app.
Conclusion
In conclusion, alarms on your phone will still go off even if your phone is on silent or in “Do Not Disturb” mode. This is because alarms are set to a separate system volume, which is not affected by your phone’s ringtone or notification settings. If you’re experiencing issues with your alarm not going off when your phone is on silent, be sure to check your alarm settings, phone settings, and “Do Not Disturb” settings to troubleshoot the issue. With these tips, you can ensure that you never miss an important alarm again.