Alarm Clock is not playing downloaded songs from Apple Music

Do you have to have a subscription to Apple Music in order to change the download quality?

I believe I have an iPhone 8, and I am not able to find it anywhere in my Apple Music app or settings, where I can change the quality of a music download.

While, I am not a subscriber to Apple Music, I do have music That I have purchased from iTunes. I have Downloaded it on my phone that I have been trying to play or use for my alarm clock in the morning. I just recently googled the subject because it was not playing the song that I selected.

This issue with the alarm clock not playing recently downloaded songs from Apple Music could be related to the specific file format or protection settings of those songs.

Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

1. Check the File Format: Make sure that the songs you are trying to use as alarm tones are in a compatible audio file format for the alarm clock. Some audio formats may not be supported for this feature.

2. Check Restrictions: Check if there are any restrictions set within Apple Music that could be preventing the alarm clock from accessing the recently downloaded songs. You can do this by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases.

3. Reset Alarm Tone: Change the alarm tone to a different song or tone and see if it plays correctly. If it does, try re-downloading the songs you want to use as alarm tones and set them again.

4. Update iOS: Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS. Sometimes software updates can address issues like this.

5. Contact Apple Support: If the issue persists, reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or escalate the issue if necessary.

Hopefully, one of these steps will help resolve the issue and allow you to use your desired songs as alarm tones.

I have the 15 Pro and my alarm keeps playing generic pre downloaded songs. I made sure my phone was updated and just redownloaded the song and made sure that it’s not on lossless audio. It’s still not playing the song and I can’t wake up in the morning without my custom playlist. 😅

I have had an issue, since the update. My Alarm Clock only plays the Default sounds. I have deleted the app and reinstalled it. I have deleted the songs and made sure they were downloaded. And still only plays the default sounds. The worst part is I F-ing hate the sound. I want to punch it everyday.

Apparently to add a song to your alarms. Delete the song’s download, then click the three dots on the song itself and then download it back to your Apple Music. Then you should be able to add the song to your alarms. It worked for me as an iPhone 12 user with iOS 17.1.1. Hope this helps.

I am having the exact same problem. IOS 14.6. I’ve deleted and recreated alarms, and it still will not play the song selected. It shows the song selected, but won’t play it. 😡

Hi! If you didn’t receive an email about my reply which has the fix, see the reply below. Hopefully that fixes it for you too!

cheers.

I had the same issue iOS 15, problem fixed by just removing download on song you want then just download again. Now I hear the song on my alarm but volume starts off high the get low.

This was very helpful!! Thanks!!

I wonder if Apple will ever fix this SOFTWARE BUG or just tell us we're using the clock app wrong by trying to use lossless audio.

YOU ARE AMAZING!! I’ve been trying to fix this for months, was in touch with apple for hours on end and no result… life saver!