Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Create & Delete Alarm Clock

To create an alarm on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, open the Clock app, tap the + icon, set the time and options, then tap Save. To delete an alarm, open the Clock app, tap and hold the alarm you want to remove, then tap Delete (or use the trash icon). This guide covers both methods in detail, plus how to manage alarms, troubleshoot common issues, and customize notifications.

Background: The Clock App on the Note 9

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box (upgradable to Android 10) with Samsung’s One UI skin. The Clock app is pre-installed and serves as the central hub for alarms, world clocks, stopwatch, and timer. Unlike some third-party alarm apps, the stock Clock app is fully integrated with the system, meaning alarms can ring even when the phone is in Do Not Disturb mode (if you allow it) and will sound through the speaker or connected Bluetooth device.

One important note: the Note 9’s hardware includes a dedicated Bixby button, but it does not interfere with the Clock app. Alarms are handled entirely through software, so you don’t need to worry about hardware toggles.

How to Create an Alarm (Step-by-Step)

Open the Clock app – Find it in the app drawer or on the home screen. The icon looks like a white clock face on a blue background.
Tap the “Alarm” tab – It’s the first tab at the top of the screen.
Tap the “+” icon – Located at the bottom right corner (or top right in some views). This opens a new alarm setup screen.
Set the time – Use the scroll wheel or keypad to select the hour and minute. You can also tap the AM/PM toggle if you’re not using 24-hour format.
Choose alarm options – You can set:
- Repeat: Select days of the week (e.g., Mon–Fri).
- Alarm sound: Choose from pre-installed tones, your own music files, or “Silent” (vibration only).
- Vibration: Toggle on/off.
- Snooze: Enable or disable, and set the snooze duration (default 5 minutes).
- Label: Add a name like “Wake up” or “Take medicine”.
Tap “Save” – The alarm is now active and will appear in the list.

You can also create an alarm by saying “OK Google, set an alarm for 7 AM” if you have Google Assistant enabled, but the manual method gives you full control over options.

How to Delete an Alarm (Step-by-Step)

Deleting an alarm is just as straightforward:

Open the Clock app and go to the Alarm tab.
Find the alarm you want to remove from the list.
Tap and hold the alarm – A context menu will appear at the top of the screen.
Tap “Delete” – The alarm is removed immediately. Alternatively, you can tap the trash can icon if you see one next to the alarm (in some views).

If you want to delete multiple alarms at once, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right, select “Delete”, then check the boxes for the alarms you want to remove and tap “Delete” again.

You can also simply toggle an alarm off by tapping the switch next to it – this doesn’t delete it, but it prevents it from ringing.

How to Choose Alarm Settings That Work for You

The Note 9 offers a few settings that can make or break your alarm experience:

Alarm sound type – Choose a gradual volume increase (the “Gradual Volume” option) if you’re a light sleeper. This starts quiet and gets louder over 1 minute.
Vibration pattern – You can select different vibration patterns if you keep the phone on a hard surface.
Snooze duration – Adjust from 1 to 30 minutes. If you tend to oversleep, set it to 1 minute so you don’t fall back into deep sleep.
Alarm volume – This is controlled by the system volume slider, not the alarm settings. Use the volume keys when the alarm is ringing to adjust it.

If you use your phone as a bedside clock, consider enabling “Bixby Routines” (if you have Bixby) to automatically turn on Do Not Disturb at night, but make sure alarms are allowed to ring in Do Not Disturb settings.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Here are the most frequent issues Note 9 users face with alarms and their solutions:

Alarm doesn’t ring – Check that the alarm is actually toggled on (the switch is blue). Also check that the alarm volume is not at zero. Go to Settings > Sounds and Vibration > Volume and make sure “Alarms” is not muted.
Alarm rings but no sound – The alarm sound might be set to “Silent”. In the alarm edit screen, tap the sound option and choose a tone. Also ensure that the phone is not in “Vibrate only” mode.
Alarm goes off but screen stays black – This can happen if the phone is in “Do Not Disturb” with “Hide notifications” enabled. Go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and allow alarms to override.
Alarm is deleted by itself – This is rare, but if it happens, it may be due to a corrupted app cache. Go to Settings > Apps > Clock > Storage and clear cache (not data) to fix it.
Alarm doesn’t show in the list – If you created an alarm via Bixby or Google Assistant, it might be saved under a different profile. Check the “Alarm” tab and also “World Clock” – sometimes alarms get mixed up if you have multiple time zones.

Comparing the Stock Clock App to Third-Party Alternatives

The Note 9’s stock Clock app is reliable and covers most needs, but some users prefer third-party apps like Google Clock, Alarmy, or Sleep Cycle. Here’s a quick comparison:

Stock Clock – Simple, no ads, works offline, integrates with system Do Not Disturb. Lacks advanced features like math problems to dismiss or sleep tracking.
Google Clock – Free, has a “Bedtime” feature, can play YouTube Music, and includes a sunrise alarm. It’s a good upgrade if you want more features but still want a clean interface.
Alarmy – Requires you to complete tasks (e.g., take a photo of your bathroom) to dismiss the alarm. Great for heavy sleepers, but it can be annoying.
Sleep Cycle – Tracks your sleep stages and wakes you during light sleep. Requires placing the phone on the bed, which may not be ideal for everyone.

All these apps are free with optional in-app purchases. The stock app is perfectly fine for most users; third-party apps are only necessary if you need specific features.

Costs and Safety Considerations

There are no costs associated with using the stock Clock app – it’s free and pre-installed. Third-party alarm apps are also generally free, but some offer premium subscriptions (e.g., Sleep Cycle’s premium version).

From a safety perspective, alarms on the Note 9 are safe to use. However, be aware that if you use a custom alarm sound stored on the phone, it may be lost if you factory reset the device without a backup. Also, if you rely on your phone as your only alarm, ensure the battery is charged – you can enable “Battery” settings to prevent the phone from entering deep sleep for alarms.

One more tip: if you travel across time zones, the alarm will ring at the local time, not the time in your home zone, unless you specifically set it to use a world clock. This is a common misconception – the alarm is always tied to the phone’s current time zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set a recurring alarm on the Note 9?

When creating an alarm, tap “Repeat” and select the days you want. You can choose individual days or “Weekdays” or “Weekends” shortcuts. The alarm will repeat every week on those days until you turn it off or delete it.

Can I use a music file as my alarm sound?

Yes. When editing an alarm, tap “Alarm sound”, then select “Add from phone” or “Music”. You can pick any MP3 file stored on your device. Note that the file must be in a supported format (MP3, M4A, etc.).

Why does my alarm not ring when the phone is on silent?

By default, alarms are set to ring even in silent mode. If yours doesn’t, check the alarm’s sound setting – it might be set to “Silent”. Also, go to Settings > Sounds and Vibration > Volume and ensure the “Alarms” slider is not at zero.

How do I stop an alarm without deleting it?

When the alarm rings, swipe the notification left or right to snooze, or tap “Dismiss” to stop it. To turn off the alarm for future days, toggle the switch next to it in the Clock app.

Can I set multiple alarms at the same time?

Yes, you can create as many alarms as you want, even at the same time. They will all ring simultaneously. This can be useful if you want a backup alarm, but it might be annoying – you can set one alarm to ring 1 minute later instead.

Does the Note 9 have a built-in sleep timer?

No, the stock Clock app does not have a sleep timer. You can use the “Timer” tab to set a countdown, but it won’t automatically stop music. For a sleep timer, you’ll need a third-party app like “Sleep Timer” or use the built-in timer in your music app (e.g., Spotify).

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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