iPhone XS Max Alarm Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Using your iPhone as an alarm clock is super convenient — until it suddenly stops working. If your iPhone XS Max isn’t playing alarms or the Bedtime Wake Up feature is failing after an iOS update like iOS 12, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to fix it.

Here’s how to troubleshoot your iPhone’s alarm issues.

Step 1: Check Alarm Sound Settings

First, make sure the volume isn’t too low or muted.

Go to Settings → Sounds & Haptics.
Under Ringer and Alerts, drag the volume slider up.
Toggle Change with Buttons ON if you want to adjust the alarm volume using side buttons.

Also, open the Clock app, tap Edit, and make sure your alarm has a sound assigned. If it says “None,” the alarm won’t make any noise.

Step 2: Delete Old Alarms and Set a New One

Too many alarms or incorrect settings can cause conflicts.

Open the Clock app → Alarm tab.
Swipe left on any unnecessary alarms and tap Delete.
Tap the + icon to create a new alarm.
Double-check the time, sound, and repeat options.
Tap Save.

Tip: You can also ask Siri — “Hey Siri, set an alarm for 6:30 AM.”

Step 3: Reset All Settings

If you recently changed other settings, they could be interfering.

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

This won’t delete your data but will reset your network, notification, and sound settings.

Step 4: Update Your iPhone Software

Some alarm bugs are tied to older versions of iOS. A fresh update might fix it.

Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Restart your phone after updating.

Step 5: Factory Reset (Last Resort)

Still no luck? A full reset can eliminate deeper bugs — but it’ll erase everything.

Backup your iPhone first. Then:

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your passcode and follow the prompts.

After setup, test the alarm with a new one in the Clock app.

Bonus: Check Bedtime Settings

If you’re using the Bedtime Wake Up Alarm, do the following:

Go to Clock → Bedtime.
Make sure the Wake Up Sound volume is turned up.
Go to Settings → Focus → Sleep, and make sure Do Not Disturb During Bedtime is OFF if you want to hear alerts.

Still Not Working?

If none of these fixes work:

Contact Apple Support to check for known bugs or hardware issues.
Visit a local Apple Store to have your phone inspected for damage.