How to set an alarm on your Xiaomi phone: 5 ways + hidden features

Why the alarm clock on Xiaomi works differently than on other smartphones

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) use the company’s Watch app with a unique interface that often raises questions from new users. Unlike “pure” Android, here alarms are integrated with system alerts and energy saving – meaning that incorrect settings can lead to missed signals even when the sound is turned on.

Key feature: on Xiaomi, the default alarm doesn’t work if the phone is off or in deep sleep (e.g., with a battery running low below 15%), which sets them apart from Samsung or Google Pixel devices, where the alarm can start even when the screen is off. Besides, in the firmware MIUI There are hidden limitations to background processes that can block third-party alarm apps.

In this article, we will not only break down basic setup through the standard app, but also alternative methods (including Google Clock and automation through Mi Home), and also reveal the unique Smart Alarm feature in MIUI 14+, which adapts wake-up time to sleep phases.

Method 1: Standard Clock Appendix (MIUI)

This is the most reliable method, as the system application is not blocked by battery optimization, and the instructions are relevant for all models on MIUI 12-14, including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

To add an alarm clock:

1. Open the Clock app (icon with dial).
2. Go to the “Alarm” tab (the bell icon at the bottom of the screen).
3. Press the "+" in the lower right corner.
4. Set a time, select repetition days and click Save.

Important: By default, the alarm only works when the sound is on and the screen is unlocked, so that the signal works in any mode:

• 🔔 Turn on the “Clocked Screen Sound” option in the alarm settings.
• 🔋 Turn off Battery Optimization for the Watch app in Settings → Annexes → Battery management.
• 🛠️ Check that the app’s “permissions” include notifications and auto-runs.

Set alarm clock time|Select a melody (not "Without Sound")|Check the days of repetition|Turn off "Do Not Disturb" for the night|Activate vibration (optional)-->

If the alarm doesn’t work, the cause may be energy saving mode or manually limiting background activity in Settings → Battery. MIUI 14 has added the Adaptive Alarm function, which automatically adjusts the signal volume depending on the noise level in the room (only works with branded tunes).

Method 2: Google Clock is an alternative for Google account holders

The Google Clock app (pre-installed on some models or available in the Play Market) offers advanced features like gradually increasing volume and integrating with Google Assistant. However, on Xiaomi it may not work in the background without additional settings.

To set an alarm through Google Clock:

1. Download the app from the Play Market (if it is not available by default).
2. Open Google Clock and go to the “Alarm clock” tab.
3. Press + and set the time, repetition days and melody.
4. Save the alarm and allow auto-start in the app settings.

Critical nuances for Xiaomi:

• 🚫 Does not work in the "Ultra-Battery Saving" mode (disables all third-party alarms).
• ⚙️ Requires to disable battery optimization for Google Clock manually.
• 🔊 Google Clock Melodies Could Conflict with System Sounds MIUI.

Google Clock has the advantage of syncing alarm clocks between devices (like a smartphone + tablet). However, on Xiaomi with MIUI, this application is often closed by the system 30 minutes after going into the background, so for reliability, we recommend combining it with a standard alarm clock.

Method 3: An alarm clock via voice assistant (Google Assistant / Xiao AI)

If you need to set an alarm quickly without opening apps, you can use voice commands. Xiaomi has two assistants available: Google Assistant (requires customization) and proprietary Xiao AI (works only on Chinese firmware or global with a regional package).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Say, “Set the alarm for 7:00” or “Wake me up tomorrow at 6:30.”
3. Confirm the alarm clock in the window that appears.

For Xiao AI (only on Chinese firmware):

1. Hold the power button or say “Xiao Ai Tungsue”.
2. Say “7” (Shezhi Ige Qi Dian De Naojun – “Set the alarm for 7:00”).

Restrictions of voice alarms on Xiaomi:

• 🔇 Google Assistant won’t work if your phone is in “Do Not Disturb” or without internet.
• 🌐 Xiao AI Only Chinese teams understand (on global firmware only limited).
• ⏳ Voice alarms don’t repeat – they need to be set again every day.

⚠️ Note: If you use double tap to wake up (Double tap to wake function) MIUI), The voice alarm may be triggered later due to the delay in activating the screen. → Display. → If accuracy is more important than convenience.

Method 4: Automation with Mi Home (for smart home)

If you have Xiaomi Smart Home devices (like a Yeelight smart lamp or a Mi Smart Speaker), you can set up a wake-up scene that will run on an alarm clock, which is useful if you wake up struggling and need extra stimuli (lights, music).

How to create a wake-up scene:

1. Open the Mi Home app and go to the Automation tab.
2. Press «+» → «Add a scene».
3. Select the “Time” trigger and set the right time.
4. Add actions, for example: 💡 Turn on the smart lamp at 50% brightness. 🔊 Play music on the Mi Smart Speaker column. ☕ Start a smart kettle (if supported).

Save the scene and activate it.

Advantages of this method:

• 🌅 Smooth awakening with imitation of dawn (through smart lamps).
• 🎵 The ability to set up a playlist to wake up.
• 🔄 It works even if the phone is dead (control goes through the Mi Home cloud).

Important: to automate, your phone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as smart devices, and if you use Mi Home as your primary alarm, add a backup signal to your phone in case your cloud service fails.

Method 5: Third-party applications – when standard solutions are not suitable

If you need advanced features (such as sleep phase tracking, math problems to wake up, or integration with a fitness bracelet), it’s worth considering third-party apps. Xiaomi works well:

• 🛌 Sleep as Android – An alarm clock with sleep analysis MIUI without aggressive battery optimization).
• ⏰ Alarmy – An alarm clock with tasks (for example, scanning) QR-code in the bathroom to turn off the signal).
• 🎵 Timely – Designed Alarms with Cloud Synchronization.

How to set up Sleep as Android on Xiaomi:

1. Download the app from the Play Market.
2. Enable microphone permissions (for sleep) and geolocation (for smart wake-up).
3. In MIUI settings, disable battery optimization for the application: Settings → Applications → Battery Management → Sleep as Android → Without restrictions
4. Activate the Smart Alarm function and put your phone next to your pillow overnight.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Sleep as Android consume up to 10-15% of your charge per night due to constant sleep monitoring. Charge your phone before bedtime or use the Battery Savings mode in the app itself.

For maximum reliability, combine a third-party alarm with a standard one: for example, Sleep as Android for sleep analysis + the MIUI system alarm as a backup signal.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after setting the alarm on Xiaomi correctly, let’s look at the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

If the alarm clock is not working:

1. Check if the phone is in the plane mode (disables all signals).
2. Make sure that the media volume is not at zero (adjusted separately from calls!).
3. Restart your phone – sometimes MIUI crashes block system alerts.

💡

If the alarm goes off but you can't hear it, try changing the tune to a standard one (e.g. MIUI Alarm).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions