iOS 26 alarm doesn’t play through speaker when song selected and headphones plugged in

In iOS 26.3.1, my alarm no longer plays through my speaker when I have headphones plugged in and the sound selected is a song in my music library. The alarm (song) is played in the headphones and the phone vibrates (my sound switch is turned off). When using an alert sound for an alarm, the sound does come through the speaker. It’s only an issue when I have a song selected. This has worked correctly for years and I recently noticed it because I missed my alarm a couple times recently.

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Mar 15, 2026 5:38 AM

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1 reply

Mar 15, 2026 6:43 AM in response to JP Redtopia

If the alarm volume is too low or quiet --> How to set and change alarms on your iPhone


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Do Not Disturb, the Ring/Silent switch and Silent mode don't affect the alarm sound. If you use the Ring/Silent switch or Action button to turn on Silent mode or turn on Do Not Disturb, the alarm still sounds.

If your alarm doesn't sound or is too quiet, or if your iPhone only vibrates, check the following:

  • Set the volume on your iPhone. If your alarm volume is too low or too loud, press the volume up or volume down button to adjust it. You can also go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the slider under Ringtone and Alerts.
  • If your alarm only vibrates, make sure your alarm sound isn't set to None. Open the Clock app, tap the Alarms tab, then tap Edit. Tap the alarm, then tap Sound and choose a Sound.
  • If you connect headphones to your iPhone, the alarm will play at a set volume through the built-in speakers on your iPhone as well as wired and wireless headphones.
  • When you use StandBy, haptics for your alarms are disabled. To make sure that your alarm sound isn't set to None: open the Clock app, tap the Alarms tab, then tap Edit. Tap the alarm, then tap Sound and choose a Sound.


Manually adjusting the time on your iPhone in Settings to change app behaviour, like game timers, isn't recommended and can affect alarms.


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iOS 26 alarm doesn’t play through speaker when song selected and headphones plugged in

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