Alarm only plays through earphones on iPhone 16, even when not worn with iOS 26

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Level 1

22 points

Alarm only plays through earphones on iPhone 16, even when not worn with iOS 26

I sleep with earphones and noticed that after updating to iOS26, the alarm sound only comes through the earphones which is quite a problem as if I take them out during the night, but let them plugged into the phone (usb-c) or I just simply lose them when rolling from one side to the other, then I will not hear the alarm at all.

I tested with multiple earphones, tried with bluetooth and wired as well, it always only comes through them, not the phone speakers.

Is there a solution for this? I suspect it is not an intended feature.

(I have an iPhone 16.)

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iOS26 - alarm only sounds through earphones

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 12:33 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

g_bki Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 18, 2025 8:46 AM in response to Mianfm

I figured out that the issue I am encountering is “solved” by changing the alarm sound to a ringtone and then it sounds fine. If it is a song (that I bought on Apple Music) then it only rings through the earphones. Pretty weird bug.

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Answer 2

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,892 points

Sep 16, 2025 3:38 AM in response to g_bki

Test the alarm sound without headphones connected, to prove this is not a failed speaker in your iPhone. If the speaker is good then you have probably found a software bug, report it using the feedback tool as WheelieNick suggests.

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Answer 3

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,869 points

Sep 16, 2025 1:20 AM in response to g_bki

If I Google a bit I see it was always the intention to have the alarm sound played over the headphones

If you want to give this as feedback to apple so that they can look into it, please do so using this form

Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 4

g_bki Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 16, 2025 3:23 AM in response to WheelieNick

Sorry, but that is not the case as Apple says:

Connect headphones to your iPhone. The alarm plays at a set volume through both the built-in speakers on your iPhone as well as your headphones.

How to set and change alarms on your iPhone - Apple Support (BH)

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Answer 5

g_bki Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 16, 2025 4:28 AM in response to Branta_uk

Thank you to the both of you, I have checked, and sent a bugreport.

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Answer 6

Mianfm

Level 1

14 points

Sep 18, 2025 12:07 AM in response to g_bki

IToday I arrived late to a work appointment because of that bug... the alarm didn't sound on the iPhone speakers, only on the smartphones that were far away from me... a fatal error in iOS 26

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