How to set an alarm clock on a Xiaomi smartphone: 3 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s alarm clock might not work (and how to avoid it)

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) offer several ways to set an alarm clock, from the standard Watch app to voice commands via Google Assistant. However, even after setting up, many users find that the alarm doesn’t work on time, and the reasons may lie in battery optimization, Do Not Disturb mode, or even time synchronization errors.

In this article, we will analyze not only the basic instructions, but also the hidden settings. MIUI, These can affect the alarm clock, such as how to disable automatic background removal for com.android.deskclock, and you can also learn which alternative programs (like Sleep as Android or Alarmy) work best on firmware. MIUI How to set a repeating alarm clock for specific days of the week without clicking.

If you've ever woken up late because your phone has slept through your alarm clock, this guide will help you get to the root of the problem. And for those of you just familiar with the Xiaomi ecosystem, we've prepared a comparison table of how to set your alarm clock, showing the pros and cons.

Method 1: Standard Appendix "Clock" (step-by-step instructions)

The most reliable and proven method is to use the built-in Watch app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, and its interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 added sunset animation when creating an alarm), but the overall algorithm remains unchanged.

To set the alarm:

Open the Clock app (an icon with a dial on the home screen or in the app menu).
Go to the Alarm tab (usually located to the right of the Mir tab).
Click the + (plus) button in the lower right corner of the screen.
Set the trigger time by shifting the arrows on the dial or entering the numbers manually.
Set up additional parameters: 🔄 Repeat – select the days of the week (for example, weekdays only). 🔔 Sound – a default tune or downloaded from the phone’s memory. 🕒 Delay - the interval of deposition (5, 10 or 15 minutes). 📝 A short description (for example, “Work” or “Training").

Save.

Once saved, the alarm will appear on the active list, it can be temporarily disabled (swipe left), deleted (swipe left), or edited (time tap). Note that if you use MIUI 13 or later, the alarm settings have a Smart alarm clock, which analyzes the sleep phases through the built-in accelerometer and selects the optimal wake-up time within a radius of ± 30 minutes.

The correct time is indicated|Sound selected (not "No sound")|Don't disturb mode is off"|Repeat for the right days-->

Method 2: Voice Assistant (Google Assistant or Xiao AI)

If you are too lazy to open the Watch app, you can set the alarm with your voice – either Google Assistant (pre-installed on Xiaomi global versions) or Xiao AI (available on Chinese firmware), the voice command works even when the screen is locked, but you need to pre-activate the Okay Google or Hey Xiao AI function in the settings.

Examples of voice commands:

🗣️ "Google, set your alarm for 7:30, and set your alarm for a single alarm.
🗣️ "Xiao AI, alarm clock for every weekday at 6:45" - set up a repeating signal.
🗣️ "Set your alarm for tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. with a label “Get to the airport” – add a description.

Important: Voice alarms are saved by default in the standard Watch app, but can sometimes be duplicated in Google Clock (if installed). To avoid confusion, check both apps. Also note that Xiao AI understands only Chinese and English - for Russian-speaking users, it is better to use Google Assistant.

Google Assistant|Xiao AI|Alice from Yandex |I don't use voice assistants-->

Battery Warning: If you have aggressive battery optimization enabled for Google Assistant, voice commands may not work in the background. To fix this, go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Google → Battery Optimization and select Unlimited.

Method 3: Third-party applications (for advanced users)

Standard alarm clock in MIUI It's not for everyone -- for example, it can't gradually turn up the volume of sound or track sleep phases -- and in those cases, you should look at third-party programs from Google Play. 5 popular applications and selected the top-3, Those who are stable at Xiaomi:

Annex	Features	Cons	Compatibility with MIUI
Sleep as Android	Sleep tracking by movement Smart alarm (waking up in the light phase) Integration with Google Fit	Paid version for all functions	✅ It works without root.
Alarmy	Disconnection tasks (e.g. scanning) QR-Volume increases gradually Supporting vibration patterns	Advertising in the free version	✅ Requires auto-start permission
Timely	Cloud-based alarm clocks Design by Google (Material You) Home Screen Widgets	Not updated from 2020	⚠️ Could be in conflict with MIUI 14+

Before setting a third-party alarm clock, it is necessary to:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find the app installed (e.g. Sleep as Android).
Enable permissions: 🔊 Auto-start (to keep the alarm clock running after restarting). 📱 Permission to change system settings (to block buttons). 🛡️ Ignore battery optimization.

How to check if MIUI is killing your alarm clock?

Open Settings → Battery → Battery Mode and select Performance over Balance or Saving. MIUI 14 also features a hidden Ultra Battery Saver mode that blocks all background processes – it must be manually disabled through Settings → Special Features → Additional.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after setting the alarm clock correctly, Xiaomi may not work, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If the alarm doesn't work at the designated time, check the timing. → Additional settings → Date and time and include Automatic Date and Time + Automatic time zone: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), this option may be lost after the update. MIUI.

Problem 1: The alarm clock is triggered, but the sound is too quiet.

🔊 Check the volume of the alarm clock separately from the total volume (in the "Clock" app or through the side buttons when triggered).
🎵 Make sure that the selected tune is not in the cloud storage (for example, Google Drive) – download it to local memory.
🛠️ V MIUI 12.5+ There's a bug where the alarm clock plays through the speaker to talk instead of the main one. → Sound and vibration → Resetting settings.

Problem 2: The alarm goes off, but the screen doesn't turn on.

📱 Check the lock screen settings – it is possible that the Always turn off screen mode is enabled.
🔋 If the battery is discharged below 15%, MIUI Can block the screen to save energy.
🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes helps to reset the errors of the graphics driver.

Problem 3: The alarm clock went missing after the MIUI update.

📲 Make a backup of alarm clocks through Settings → System and device → Backup before updating.
🔄 If the alarm clocks are gone, try resetting the Clock app settings in Settings. → Annexes → The clock → Warehouse → Clear the data.
📥 Install an alternative app (like Clock Plus) and import alarm clocks from backup.

💡

If the alarm fails due to a discharged battery, turn on Settings → Battery → Battery Mode → Charging Optimization and activate the Alarm option at low charge (available on MIUI 13+).

How to set an alarm clock on Xiaomi smart watch (Mi Band, Watch)

If you use the Mi Band fitness bracelet or Xiaomi Watch smartwatch, the alarm can be set directly to them - it's convenient when the phone is in another room.Sync with the phone is automatically through the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).

Instructions for Mi Band 6/7 and Xiaomi Watch S1:

Open the Mi Fitness app on your phone.
Go to the Profile section → [The name of your device] → Alarm clock.
Press Add an alarm clock and set the time.
Set up the parameters: 🔄 Repeat – Choose days (similar to the phone). 🔔 Signal type – vibration, sound, or both. 🕒 Postponing - available only on the clock (on bracelets no).

Save the changes – the alarm clock syncs with the device for 1-2 minutes.

Important: The alarm clock on the smartwatch will work even if the phone is turned off or in another room. However, if the battery of the bracelet is discharged below 10%, the vibration may be weak. To check the charge, swipe down on the Mi Band screen, which will show the percentage of the battery.

💡

The alarm clock on Xiaomi smartwatch consumes minimal charge – even with daily use, autonomy decreases by no more than 2-3%.

Hidden MIUI settings for reliable alarm clock operation

MIUI firmware has a few hidden options that affect alarm clock stability, which are often overlooked, but they can solve the problem of "missed" signals.

1. Disable optimization for the application "Clock":

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Watches → Battery Optimization.
Choose No Limits.
Enable AutoRun and Secondary Start (if any).

Do not disturb mode setting:

Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb.
Make sure that the exceptions section includes alarm clocks and reminders.
If you use a schedule, make sure it doesn’t coincide with the alarm clock.

3. Verification of permissions for system applications:

In Settings → Applications → Permissions → Auto Run Find the Watch and Google (if you use Google Assistant) – enable autorun for both.
In Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Change system settings, check if there is an alarm app (necessary for some third-party programs).

4. Resetting the time and date settings:

If the alarm is not working on time, try resetting to Settings → Additional settings → Date and time → Reset to factory.
After reset, restart the phone and re-enable automatic synchronization.

How to check if MIUI is blocking your alarm clock?

Install the Wake Lock Detector app from Google Play and run the test. If the logs show AlarmManager blocked by MIUI, the system kills the alarm clock, in which case only manually adding the application to the optimization exceptions (see paragraph 1 above).

FAQ: Frequent questions about alarm clocks on Xiaomi

Can I put an alarm on a Xiaomi phone?

No, if the phone is completely off, the alarm won't work. However, there's a workaround: Activate Air Mode (this will turn off all communications, but the phone will remain on). Or use Xiaomi's smartwatch, whose alarm clock works autonomously. Some models (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) have an alarm when turned off, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and custom firmware.

Why does Xiaomi’s alarm clock work 1 hour earlier/later?

It's a typical problem because: 🌍 Incorrect time zone (check in Settings) → Date and time). ⏰ Automatic winter/summer time switch (turn off Automatic transition if you live in a region where it is not relevant). 📡 Network sync failure (try manually updating time through Settings) → Date and time → If the problem recurs, install an alternative application (e.g. Clock Plus) that uses its own time mechanism.

How to make the alarm clock on Xiaomi is repeated only on weekdays?

In the standard Clock app, you can create a new alarm. You can click on the Repeat field. You can uncheck the SB and SB and leave the Pn-Pt. Save the changes. You can also use a voice command in MIUI 14 that says, "OK, Google, 7 a.m. weekday alarm."

Can I set an alarm on Xiaomi through Google Assistant if my phone is locked?

Yes, but you do: Activate Okay Google in Google Assistant settings. Enable Voice Unlock in Settings → Lock screen → Additional settings. Add Google Assistant to battery optimization exceptions (see Hidden Settings section). After that, you can say, "OK, Google, set an alarm for 8:00" even with the screen locked.

How to transfer alarm clocks from the old Xiaomi to the new?

There are 3 ways: Through MIUI Backup: On Old Phone: Settings → System & Device → Backup → Create a Backup (select Watch) On New Phone: Restore a Backup via Settings → System & Device → Restore. Through Google Account: Make sure both phones are synchronized Settings → Accounts → Google → Data Synchronization. Alarms from the Google Clock app will be transferred automatically. Manually via Export/Import: Use apps like Alarm Clock Xtreme that support file export.