How can I add louder, jarring alarm sounds to my iPhone 16 Pro Max?

Question

Level 1

12 points

How can I add louder, jarring alarm sounds to my iPhone 16 Pro Max?

It's been weeks since my iPhone alarm woke me up on time. I called support and they told me to verify the volume before sleep. I do that every night. My problem is that they eliminated the jarring alarm sound options like Arpeggio from the menu selection and all there are left are mellow, low sounds. Does anyone know how to add sounds to the menu? I am thinking about going back to an alarm clock, if I can't fix this.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Alarm Sounds Too Mellow For Wake Up

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Aug 28, 2025 06:49 AM

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Answer 1

Carol B.

Level 6

17,073 points

Aug 28, 2025 07:01 AM in response to RBouquin

Sorry about your frustration. If none of the other alarm sounds are vibrant enough for you, then you can try to purchase other tones. Maybe one of them will work for you?

Get ringtones, text tones, and alert tones in the iTunes Store on iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Alancito

Level 7

29,567 points

Aug 28, 2025 09:02 AM in response to RBouquin

RBouquin ~ A Shortcuts personal automation can be triggered by 'Alarm', and this particular sound is definately not mellow:

Submarine Diving

Intro to personal automation in Shortcuts on iPhone or iPad

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Answer 3

Aug 28, 2025 10:23 AM in response to RBouquin

In the Alarm sounds, try going to the Classic sounds. The first one, "Alarm" will practically wake the dead.

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Answer 4

Sep 2, 2025 08:06 AM in response to RBouquin

RBouquin wrote:

Thank you. I don't see a place on the screen to add an alarm sound. See screen on my 16 Promax below.

That's not where you change the Alarm sound. You change the alarm sound directly in the Clock app.

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Answer 5

MrBill3

Level 10

104,338 points

Sep 2, 2025 01:58 PM in response to RBouquin

Hello,

Try this:

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and set the RINGTONE AND ALERTS slider to the desired volume for the alarms.

Then, turn off "Change with Buttons." That will keep the alarm volume from changing when you make other volume changes for music etc.

Good luck.

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Answer 6

LD150

Level 10

95,709 points

Sep 2, 2025 02:41 PM in response to RBouquin

Also volume for Ringtone and for Alarm are inextricably linked, whatever the Change with buttons setting. Increase ringtone volume and alarm is also louder

Keep that setting ON and every night check your ringtone level here

see also How do the various iPhone volume controls… - Apple Community

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Answer 7

RBouquin Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 2, 2025 06:39 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thank you. What happened was that the phone program told me I had to set the alarms in Health/Sleep. Their options I think were intended not to startle you awake but to give you a more gradual wake up experience. This didn't work for me so I deleted the program in Sleep.

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Answer 8

RBouquin Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 2, 2025 08:11 AM in response to Carol B.

Thank you. I don't see a place on the screen to add an alarm sound. See screen on my 16 Promax below.

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 9

RBouquin Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 2, 2025 06:32 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thank you that fixed it. Before it kept telling me to modify it in Health. I deleted the sleep schedule. Hopefully tomorrow it will blast me awake.

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Answer 10

RBouquin Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 2, 2025 06:34 PM in response to MrBill3

Thank you. I don't mind checking the volume each night. I use the volume buttons sometimes during the day, so I have to do the extra step. I was just unhappy about the change in available alarms.

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Answer 11

RBouquin Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 2, 2025 06:36 PM in response to LD150

Thank you. The options in sleep in Health I think were intended to provide a gradual wake up experience rather than startling you awake. They were too mild for me.

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