How to Set an Alarm Clock on Mac (Built-In & Free)

This guide shows you how to set an alarm on your Mac using the built-in Clock app. You’ll learn the exact steps to create a one-time or repeating alarm, choose your sound, and make sure it actually goes off—even if your Mac is asleep. No extra software is needed.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Ventura (13) or later. The Clock app is included with these versions.
• Your Mac’s internal speakers or connected headphones/speakers.
• Optional: An Apple Music subscription if you want to use a song as the alarm sound.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Clock app. Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock (the rocket ship), then type “Clock” in the search bar and click the Clock app icon. Alternatively, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type “Clock,” and press Return.
2. Click the Alarm tab. At the top of the Clock window, you’ll see tabs: World Clock, Alarm, Stopwatch, and Timer. Click “Alarm.”
3. Add a new alarm. Click the plus (+) button in the top-right corner of the window. A new alarm row will appear.
4. Set the time. Click the time field (it defaults to 6:00 AM). Use the up/down arrows or type the hour and minute. Then select AM or PM.
5. Choose repeat days (optional). Click “Repeat” and select which days of the week you want the alarm to ring. If you want it only once, leave it as “Never.”
6. Pick a label (optional). Click “Label” and type a name like “Wake up” or “Meeting.” This appears next to the time.
7. Choose the sound. Click “Sound” and select from the list. You can pick a built-in tone like “Radar” or “By the Seaside,” or choose a song from your Music library. If you pick a song, it must be downloaded to your Mac (not just streamed).
8. Set snooze (optional). Toggle “Snooze” on if you want a 9-minute snooze option. If you leave it off, you’ll have to dismiss the alarm completely.
9. Save the alarm. Click anywhere outside the editing fields or press Return. The alarm is now saved and listed.
10. Make sure it will ring. The alarm will only sound if your Mac is awake or if it’s asleep but plugged into power. If you close the lid, the alarm won’t ring. To keep the Mac awake, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and set “Turn display off on power adapter when inactive” to “Never.” Alternatively, just leave the lid open.

Common Mistakes

• Closing the lid. The Mac goes into sleep mode when the lid is closed, and the alarm will not sound. Keep the lid open or use a clamshell setup with an external display and power.
• Mac is fully asleep. If the Mac is asleep and not plugged in, the alarm may not ring. Plug in the power adapter and ensure the Mac is not in “Power Nap” only mode.
• Wrong AM/PM. Double-check the AM/PM selector. It’s easy to set 6:00 PM instead of 6:00 AM.
• Volume is muted. The alarm sound follows the system volume. If your volume is at zero or muted, you won’t hear anything.
• Forgot to save. If you click away without pressing Return, the alarm might not save. Make sure the row stays in the list.

Tips

• Use a song as your alarm: pick a song that is downloaded to your Mac. The alarm will play the song from the beginning, which can be more pleasant than a harsh tone.
• Set multiple alarms a few minutes apart if you tend to sleep through.
• Use the Timer tab as a quick countdown alarm: set a timer for, say, 10 minutes, and it will sound when done. This is handy for cooking or short breaks.
• If you want the alarm to work while the display is off, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and set “Turn display off on power adapter when inactive” to “Never.” This keeps the Mac awake with the screen off.
• You can also ask Siri: “Hey Siri, set an alarm for 7 AM” and it will create one in the Clock app.

Troubleshooting

• Alarm doesn’t sound at all: Check that your Mac is not in Sleep mode. If it is, plug in the power adapter and wake it up. Also verify the volume is up and not muted (check the menu bar speaker icon).
• Alarm sounds but is too quiet: Increase the system volume. You can also go to System Settings > Sound and drag the “Alert volume” slider up.
• Alarm rings but then stops after a few seconds: This may be due to a notification setting. Go to System Settings > Notifications > Clock and ensure “Allow notifications” is on.
• Song doesn’t play: The song must be downloaded to your Mac. If it’s in iCloud but not downloaded, right-click the song in Music and choose “Download.” Also, make sure the song is not DRM-protected.
• Alarm appears but doesn’t ring on the chosen day: Check the Repeat settings. If you set it for weekdays only, it won’t ring on weekends.
• Can’t find the Clock app: If you don’t have it, your macOS is likely older than Ventura. Update your macOS via System Settings > General > Software Update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set an alarm on a Mac that is turned off?

No. The Mac must be powered on (awake or asleep with power connected) for the alarm to sound. If the Mac is shut down, the alarm won’t go off.

Does the alarm work if the Mac is in sleep mode?

Yes, if the Mac is plugged into power. If it’s on battery, it may not wake up. To be safe, keep it plugged in.

Can I use a custom sound file as the alarm?

Yes, as long as the file is in your Music library and downloaded. You can add it to Music and then select it in the alarm’s Sound dropdown.

How do I delete an alarm?

In the Alarm tab, hover over the alarm and click the “x” that appears on the left, or right-click and choose Delete.

Can I set an alarm that repeats every day?

Yes. In the Repeat settings, select all seven days (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun).

Is there a way to make the alarm louder than the maximum volume?

No. The alarm volume is tied to the system volume. You can’t exceed the maximum. Consider using an external speaker for louder output.

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