Waking up is the worst part of the day for about 90% of the population. That's a made-up stat, but honestly, it feels true. Most of us are still jolted awake by that terrifying, high-pitched "Radar" sound on the iPhone that feels like a nuclear meltdown warning. It doesn’t have to be like that. You can actually use music you like. But learning how to make a song your alarm is one of those things that should be easy but somehow involves three different menus and a subscription service.
If you’re tired of the digital beep-beep-beep and want something like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac to gently pull you out of sleep, you’ve got options. It’s just that those options vary wildly depending on whether you’re carrying a Pixel or an iPhone.
The iPhone Struggle: Why Apple Makes This So Weird
Apple is great at a lot of things, but they really want you to buy things from the iTunes Store. If you want to know how to make a song your alarm on an iPhone, the "official" way is to own the song. Either you bought it on iTunes a decade ago, or you have an active Apple Music subscription.
First, open the Clock app. Tap an alarm. Tap Sound. You'll see "Pick a song" right at the top. If you have Apple Music, you can search your library and hit the plus sign. Boom. Done. But there is a massive catch. If the song isn't downloaded to your physical phone storage, it might not play. You’ll just get the default "Radar" sound instead. It’s a common glitch that leaves people wondering why they woke up to a siren instead of Taylor Swift.
What if you use Spotify? Well, you're basically out of luck on the native iPhone Clock app. Apple doesn't let third-party apps talk to the alarm system in that specific way. You’d have to use the Shortcuts app to create a weird automation that triggers a playlist when an alarm goes off. It’s clunky. It’s annoying. Most people give up halfway through.
🔗 Read more: The Singularity Is Near: Why Ray Kurzweil’s Predictions Still Mess With Our Heads
Android is the Wild West (In a Good Way)
Android users have it significantly easier here. The Google Clock app is actually a bit of a masterpiece in terms of integration. When you go to change your alarm sound, it literally asks if you want to use Spotify, YouTube Music, or Calm.
You just tap the Spotify tab, find your "Morning Coffee" playlist, and pick a track. It just works.
But there’s a psychological catch. Sleep experts, like those at the Sleep Foundation, often warn against using your favorite song as an alarm. Why? Because you will eventually grow to loathe it. Your brain associates that specific melody with the trauma of leaving a warm bed. Six months from now, you’ll hear that song in a grocery store and your blood pressure will spike.
The Local File Method
Maybe you don't use streaming. Maybe you're a purist with a library of MP3s you ripped from CDs in 2005. To get those onto your phone for an alarm, you have to move the file into the "Ringtones" or "Alarms" folder in your internal storage.
💡 You might also like: Apple Lightning Cable to USB C: Why It Is Still Kicking and Which One You Actually Need
- Connect your phone to a PC.
- Drag the .mp3 file into the Alarms folder.
- Open the Clock app.
- Select "Add new" under the ringtone selection.
It's old school. It works every time. No internet connection required.
The Science of "Waking Up Right"
Is there a "best" song to wake up to? Probably. Researchers at RMIT University did a study on "Melodic Alarms" and found that songs with a strong melody—things you can hum along to—actually reduce sleep inertia. That’s that groggy, "where am I?" feeling you get for twenty minutes after waking up.
Neutral, melodic sounds help you transition into alertness better than abrupt, rhythmic crashing. Think Midnight City by M83 or maybe something by Bon Iver. Avoid death metal. Unless that's your thing. I’m not here to judge.
Troubleshooting the "No Sound" Nightmare
The biggest fear when learning how to make a song your alarm is that the alarm won't go off at all. This happens. A lot.
📖 Related: iPhone 16 Pro Natural Titanium: What the Reviewers Missed About This Finish
Usually, it’s because of "Attention Aware" features on newer iPhones. If the phone sees you looking at it, it lowers the volume. Or, if your song is stored in the cloud and your Wi-Fi drops out overnight, the phone gets confused.
Always, always download the song for offline use.
Also, check your volume slider. On many phones, "System Volume" and "Alarm Volume" are two different things. You can have your ringer on full blast, but if the alarm slider is at zero, you’re going to be late for work.
Practical Next Steps for a Better Morning
Stop using the default sounds. They are designed to be stressful. Instead:
- Pick a "Tier 2" song. Don't use your absolute favorite track of all time. Pick something you like, but wouldn't mind getting a little tired of.
- Check the intro. Does the song start with a 30-second silent fade-in? If so, you're going to sleep right through it. Use an app to trim the file so it starts right at the hook.
- Test it immediately. Set an alarm for one minute from now. Put the phone across the room. See if it actually plays the song or reverts to the default beep.
- Update your apps. Both Spotify and the Google Clock app need to be updated to keep the integration from breaking.
Waking up to music changes the vibe of your entire morning. It turns a chore into a soundtrack. Just make sure you actually hit the "Download" button on that track so you aren't staring at a silent phone at 8:15 AM while your boss is calling you.