Do Alarms Go Off During FaceTime Calls?
If you rely on your iPhone alarm to wake you up or remind you of important tasks, you might wonder: What happens if you're on a FaceTime call when the alarm is supposed to ring? Will it go off? Will it disrupt the call? Let’s clear it up.
Yes, Alarms Still Go Off During FaceTime
Even if you're in the middle of a FaceTime call, your iPhone alarm will still ring. iOS treats alarms as system-level alerts, which means they get priority over apps, including FaceTime. When your alarm goes off:
- It will still sound, even if FaceTime is active.
- The volume may be reduced slightly to avoid disrupting the call.
- The alarm appears as a notification you can snooze or dismiss.
So, if you're chatting with someone and your alarm is scheduled to go off, it’ll gently notify you without ending or interrupting the conversation.
Alarm Settings to Check Before a FaceTime Call
To avoid any mishaps, make sure your iPhone is set up properly so alarms function as expected, even when you're multitasking with FaceTime or other apps.
1. Make Sure the Alarm Volume Is Loud Enough
Alarms use the ringer volume, not media volume. To check or adjust:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics
- Under Ringer and Alerts, drag the slider to adjust volume
- Disable “Change with Buttons” if you want to lock the alarm volume in place
2. Use the Right Alarm Sound
If you're using a silent or subtle tone, you may not notice it during a call. In the Clock app:
- Tap Alarm
- Tap Edit > Sound
- Choose a loud and distinct tone like “Radar” or “Alarm”
3. Keep the Alarm Toggle On
Sometimes alarms get accidentally toggled off in the Clock app. Always double-check that the green toggle is on for any scheduled alarm.
4. Turn Off Silent Mode (If You Use It)
Alarms should still ring even if your phone is on silent or vibrate, but it's best to test this if you're unsure. Some third-party apps or custom Focus modes may interfere.
5. Don’t Use Bedtime Mode Without Understanding It
If you use Sleep Focus or Bedtime in the Health app, your alarms might be tied to a sleep schedule. Check:
- Clock > Alarm > Change > Edit Sleep Schedule
- Make sure wake-up alarms are active and correctly configured
Can Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode Silence Alarms?
No. Alarms override Do Not Disturb, Focus, and even Airplane Mode (as long as your phone is on). They’re considered critical notifications and will go off regardless of those settings. However, third-party apps or scheduled Shortcuts could suppress them, so keep things simple if reliability is key.
How to Prevent Alarms From Becoming a Distraction During FaceTime
Although alarms won’t disrupt your FaceTime call, they can be annoying if you're in a quiet or emotional moment. To manage them:
- Snooze or dismiss quickly from the notification banner
- Use vibration only if you still want a subtle reminder
- Temporarily disable non-essential alarms in the Clock app before your call
Can the Other Person Hear My Alarm on FaceTime?
No. FaceTime isolates audio to prioritize your voice and ambient sounds, so when your alarm goes off, the sound stays on your device only. Your contact won’t even know it happened.
Reliable FaceTime Calls While Traveling
Now that you know your iPhone can still alert you for important events, it's time to learn how to maintain a stable network to communicate with your loved ones. Whether you're FaceTiming from a café in Paris or video calling your family from Tokyo, a strong internet connection is key to a clear and uninterrupted experience. That’s where Eskimo eSIM makes a difference without incurring roaming charges.
Eskimo’s international eSIM keeps you connected with:
- Unlimited 5G speeds and no daily caps, perfect for HD video calls.
- Personal hotspot support, so you can tether to a laptop or tablet.
- Borderless connectivity across over 130+ countries.
- No roaming fees or surprise charges.
Even better, new users can get 500MB of free global data to start. Just install the eSIM once on your iPhone, and you’re ready to FaceTime wherever you go. Get your free eSIM here.
FAQs
Will my iPhone alarm go off during a FaceTime call?
Yes, it will still go off at the scheduled time, even while you're on a FaceTime call.
Will the other person hear my alarm?
No, the sound stays on your side. The other person won’t hear anything.
Does Do Not Disturb stop alarms from ringing?
No, Do Not Disturb silences calls and messages but not alarms. They still ring as scheduled.
Can alarms disrupt FaceTime quality?
Alarms don’t disrupt the audio or video feed. They just overlay as a notification, allowing you to dismiss them without ending the call.