How to Use Your Apple Watch as a Silent Alarm Clock (watchOS 10)

By Elisabeth Garry Updated 08/23/2023

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Did you know you can set an Apple Watch alarm to silently wake you via gentle vibrations on your wrist? Making your Apple Watch alarm vibrate instead of waking you with a loud alarm tone is quick and easy, and reduces disturbances to others around you. We'll show you how to set a silent Apple Watch alarm.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

Set a silent alarm on Apple Watch to go off while you're in a crowded place—like an airplane—without disturbing those around you.
If you have trouble waking up using traditional alarms, the vibrations on your wrist might actually wake you up more effectively than noise does.

How to Use Your Apple Watch as a Silent Alarm Clock

System Requirements

This tip works on Apple Watches running watchOS 10 and later.

Unfortunately, there's no way to make a silent alarm on Apple Watch without setting the entire watch to Silent mode, but it's still a great solution for those who keep their Apple Watch set to Silent mode anyway! You can quickly adjust this setting in your Apple Watch's Control Center. To learn more about different ways you can use your Apple Watch, like how to use your Apple Watch's keyboard, be sure to sign up for our Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, here's how to set your Apple Watch alarm to vibrate only:

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Press the Side button to open the Apple Watch Control Center.
Tap on the bell icon to switch your Apple Watch to Silent Mode, turning off sound on your Apple Watch. The icon will turn red, and the bell will now have a strike through it. If you're curious about what the other icons mean, be sure to check out our guide to Apple Watch symbols and icons.

Press the Digital Crown twice to go to your Apple Watch's app menu. (If you have returned to your Apple Watch face, you only need to press the Digital Crown once.)
Tap on the Alarm app.

Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap the plus icon.
If it's not already outlined in green, tap the hours box and then turn the Digital Crown to set the alarm hour.

Tap the minutes box and then turn the Digital Crown to set the alarm minutes.
If you have a 24-hour clock, you can skip this step. If not, tap AM or PM to set the time of day.

Tap the check mark at the bottom of the screen.

Pro tip

In order to make sure your Apple Watch alarm goes off correctly, make sure to read this article with all our solutions to your alarm not going off.

That's how to set up a silent alarm on Apple Watch. Now your watch should wake you up with a series of gentle vibrations on your wrist. If you want to set an alarm on Apple Watch only, the steps above will do that as well. Additionally, you can always toggle Apple Watch alarms on or off in the Alarm app main screen, as well. For more help, check out our guide on troubleshooting iPhone vibration issues. Next, learn how to set a timer on your Apple Watch or how to make your watch vibrate for calls and texts.

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Topics

How-To

Apple Watch

Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers

Author Details

Elisabeth Garry

Elisabeth Garry is an Associate Editor for iPhone Life. Formerly of Gartner and Software Advice, they have six years of experience writing about technology for everyday users, specializing in iPhones, HomePods, and Apple TV. As a former college writing instructor, they are passionate about effective, accessible communication, which is perhaps why they love helping readers master the strongest communication tools they have available: their iPhones. They have a degree in Russian Literature and Language from Reed College.

When they’re not writing for iPhone Life, they’re reading about maritime disasters, writing fiction, rock climbing, or walking their adorable dog, Moosh.

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