How to Set an Alarm on Mac (macOS 26)

Ever wished your Mac could double as your personal alarm clock? Previously, it couldn’t! But macOS 26 includes a built-in Clock app so you can set alarms, timers, and a stopwatch without any workarounds.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to set an alarm on your Mac and share a few handy tips if you want some advanced options.

Why Set an Alarm on Mac?

You already have an iPhone (or phone) with an alarm, so why bother on your Mac?

Because sometimes you want your workstation to wake you up, or remind you while you’re in “deep work mode.” Also, when your Mac is right in front of you, it’s nice to have the reminder pop up there instead of reaching for your phone.

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Just a heads up:

The Mac needs to be awake (not asleep or shut) for the alarm to ring. If it’s snoozed or completely shut down, your alarm won’t work.

How to Create an Alarm on Mac Clock app

If your Mac is running macOS Sequoia or later, you can set alarms directly in the native Clock app.

1. From the Spotlight search, launch the Clock app.
2. Move to the Alarms tab and click the plus button in the top-right corner.
3. A little pop-up window appears with the time setup.
   • Time: Set the hour & minute you want the alarm to ring
   • Repeat: Choose days (Mon, Tue, Wed…) if you want it to recur
   • Label: Name your alarm (e.g., “Tea time”)
   • Sound: Pick a tone or alert sound
   • Snooze: Enable it to let you delay the alarm when it rings
   • Snooze Duration: Decide how long the snooze lasts (e.g., 5 min)
4. Once done, click Save to confirm.

Now you have an alarm listed in your Alarms tab.

Tip

Want to set an alarm quickly? Just say, “Hey Siri, set an alarm for 8 AM tomorrow” or “Set a repeating alarm for weekdays at 7:30 AM labeled Coffee Time.” Siri adds it straight to the Clock app.

Edit an Existing Alarm on Mac

Similar to the iPhone, you can edit any alarm on your Mac.

1. Go to the Clock app > Alarms tab.
2. Click on the alarm you want to change.
3. Adjust settings like it’s time, label, sound, etc. and hit Save again.

Turn an Alarm Off or Disable It Temporarily

When an alarm goes off, you will see a notification. On the alarm banner, click Options and then Stop. The alarm switches off till the next planned time.

You can also disable an alarm before it activates, preventing it from warning you until you turn it back on. For example, I have a daily alarm for work meetings. However, I disable it when on leave.

1. In the Alarms tab, you’ll see a switch below each alarm.
2. Slide it to turn off. This disables the alarm until you turn it back on.

Delete an Alarm on Mac Clock app

If you no longer need an alarm, you can quickly remove it to clear the clutter:

1. In the Alarms list, hover over the alarm you want to delete.
2. A small Remove (✕) button will appear in the top-left of the alarm tile. Click that to delete.

Alternative Methods to Set Alarms on Mac

Maybe your Mac is older and doesn’t support the built-in Clock (pre-Sequoia era), or you prefer something more customized. Here are a few alternate methods.

Method 1: Using the Apple Calendar Events

Calendar event alerts on Mac are subtle. You will see a notification in the top-right corner and hear a faint one-second sound. This is more like a timer than an alarm, but it can be useful at times.

1. Open the Calendar app on your Mac.
2. Click ‘+’ icon in the top toolbar.
3. Type your event details in the said format. For example, type see oven at 11:58 AM today and hit the enter key. A calendar event will be created.
4. Now, from the pop-up, click alerts and choose one of the options. You may fill in additional information if needed.
   

Method 2: Set Alarm on Mac using Kuku Klok

Kuku Klok is a neat, easy-to-use online alarm clock website with multiple sounds. What’s better is that you only need internet connectivity to set the alarm. After that, the alarm will ring even if your Mac isn’t connected to the internet. Here’s how to use it.

Here’s how to use it.

1. Visit Kukuklok.com using any Mac browser.
2. Use the + and – buttons or the keyboard keys to set the time.
3. Choose a sound on the right side.
4. Finally, click SET ALARM.
5. Make sure you do not close this browser tab.
   

Another excellent alternative to Kuku Klok is Online Alarm Kur.

Method 3: Using the Reminders app

Just like the calendar app, you can use Mac’s Reminder app to create alarm alerts. This, too, shows a notification and a one-second alert sound like calendar events.

1. Open Reminders on your Mac and click + icon in the top-right.
2. Type the desired name, including the date and time you want to be reminded. For example, “Water the cactus on every Sunday at 5 PM.”
3. Finally, select the suggested date.
   

Tips and Tricks for Mac Alarms

• Keep your Mac awake: If your Mac goes to sleep before the alarm time, the alarm won’t fire. Use Battery settings or apps that prevent sleep.
• Volume matters: Ensure your Mac’s system volume is high enough and that the chosen alarm sound is audible.
• Use distinct alarm sounds: So your brain doesn’t easily ignore them.
• Don’t rely on it for critical wake-ups: If missing the alarm has big consequences, use a backup like a phone or a physical alarm.
• Test it first: Set an alarm a few minutes ahead and see whether it’s working as expected.

Wrapping It Up

Setting alarms on your Mac with macOS 26 is quick, customizable, and kinda fun once you get the hang of it. No more relying solely on your phone; let your Mac handle the reminders so you can focus on the good stuff.

Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments below!

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