Trick to make alarm sound louder: If your phone alarm has ever failed to wake you up, you may have assumed you needed a new alarm app or a louder device. But the solution could be much simpler: changing where you keep your phone while you sleep.

A small adjustment, placing your phone on a hard surface instead of a soft one, can make your alarm sound more noticeable without changing your phone settings or downloading anything new.

Moving your phone could make your alarm easier to hear

Many people leave their phones on beds, pillows, or blankets overnight. While convenient, those soft surfaces can absorb some of the sound and vibrations coming from the device, making the alarm seem quieter.

Placing the phone on a bedside table, wooden desk, or another solid surface allows sound to travel more clearly. The surface can also help carry the phone’s vibrations, making the alarm feel stronger when it goes off.

The trick does not increase the actual volume of your phone’s speaker, but it can improve how loudly the alarm is heard in your surroundings.

Your alarm volume may be lower than you think

Before blaming your phone’s speaker, it is worth checking the alarm volume settings.

On iPhones, alarm sounds are controlled through the 'Ringtone and Alerts' volume setting. Apple recommends adjusting this slider under 'Settings > Sounds & Haptics' to make sure alarms are loud enough. Apple also explains that alarms can still play even when the phone is set to Silent mode or certain Focus modes.

On Android devices, alarm volume is separate from media volume, meaning your music or video volume level does not always affect how loud your alarm will be.

Choosing the right alarm tone can also help

The sound you select for your alarm can make a difference. A gentle or quiet tone may not be enough to wake some people, while a louder alarm sound may be easier to notice.

Both Android and iPhone users can change their alarm sounds through their built-in Clock apps and select a tone that works better for them