How to Wake Up with Music or Radio on Android and iOS

Tired of waking up to the same annoying alarm sound every morning? Setting music or live radio as your alarm is a much more pleasant way to start your day. Whether you want to wake up to your favorite Spotify playlist, a calming tune, or the energetic beats of a live radio station like Only Hits, this guide will show you exactly how to do it on both iPhone and Android devices.

Why Wake Up with Music Instead of Traditional Alarms?

Research shows that waking up to music can significantly improve your morning mood and alertness. A study found that melodic alarms reduce sleep inertia, that groggy, disoriented feeling you get right after waking up. Here's why you should consider making the switch:

• Gradual awakening: Music provides a gentler transition from sleep to wakefulness
• Better mood: Starting your day with songs you love puts you in a positive mindset
• Reduced stress: Harsh alarm tones can trigger your fight-or-flight response
• Personalization: Choose music that matches your personality and morning routine
• Stay informed: With radio, you can wake up to fresh music and stay updated with what's trending

How to Set Music as Your Alarm on iPhone (iOS)

Apple offers several ways to wake up to music on your iPhone. Here are all the methods you can use:

Method 1: Using the Built-in Clock App with Apple Music

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can easily set any song as your alarm:

1. Open the Clock app on your iPhone
2. Tap the Alarm tab at the bottom
3. Tap the + button to create a new alarm, or tap Edit to modify an existing one
4. Tap Sound
5. Scroll down and tap Pick a Song
6. Browse your Apple Music library and select a song
7. Tap Back and then Save

Pro tip: Choose an upbeat song with a gradual buildup for a smoother wake-up experience!

Method 2: Using Apple Shortcuts to Wake Up with Live Radio

Want to wake up to live radio instead of the same song every day? This is where Apple Shortcuts comes in! With Shortcuts, you can automate your iPhone to play a live radio stream when your alarm stops.

First, you'll need to add a radio shortcut to your iPhone. We've created ready-to-use shortcuts for Only Hits radio stations — just tap to install:

Use the Only Hits Shortcuts

You can also create your own music shortcut for any radio station or music source by following these steps:

How to Create Your Own Music Shortcut

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
2. Tap the + button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut
3. Tap Add Action
4. Select the Categories tab, then tap Media
5. Under the Music section, tap Play Music
6. Tap the blue Music variable and search your library to select the song, album, playlist, or radio station you want
7. (Optional) Add a volume control: Search for "Set Volume" and add it before the Play Music action to ensure consistent volume every morning
8. Tap Done to save your shortcut
9. Give your shortcut a name (e.g., "Morning Radio")

Pro tip: Add an "If" condition to check if the volume is too low (like below 15%) and automatically set it to a comfortable level (like 40%). This ensures you'll always hear your alarm!

Setting Up the Alarm Automation

After downloading or creating your shortcut, follow these steps to connect it to your alarm:

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
2. Tap the Automation tab at the bottom
3. Tap the + button in the top right corner
4. Search for and select Alarm
5. Choose When → Is Stopped
6. Select which alarm(s) should trigger the radio
7. Tap Next
8. Search for and add the Only Hits shortcut you downloaded
9. Make sure Run Immediately is enabled (this ensures the radio plays without requiring you to confirm)
10. Tap Done

Now when you stop your morning alarm, your iPhone will automatically start playing Only Hits radio! 🎵

Method 3: Using Spotify as Your iPhone Alarm

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't allow third-party apps to directly integrate with the Clock app. However, you can use the same Shortcuts automation method described above with Spotify. Just create a shortcut that opens Spotify and plays a specific playlist.

How to Set Music as Your Alarm on Android

Android devices offer much more flexibility when it comes to setting music and radio as alarms. Here are your options:

Method 1: Using Google Clock with Spotify, YouTube Music, or Pandora

The Google Clock app has built-in integration with popular music streaming services:

1. Download and open the Google Clock app (available on Google Play Store)
2. Tap the Alarm tab
3. Create a new alarm or tap an existing one to edit
4. Tap the current alarm sound (the bell icon or sound name)
5. At the top, you'll see tabs for Sounds, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Pandora
6. Select your preferred service and sign in if prompted
7. Browse and select a song, album, artist, or playlist
8. Save your alarm

Note: You'll need a premium subscription to some services for full functionality.

Method 2: Using TuneIn Radio as Your Android Alarm

This is the best method to wake up to live radio on Android! The TuneIn app has a built-in alarm feature that lets you set any radio station as your wake-up sound.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download the TuneIn Radio app from the Google Play Store
2. Search for your favorite station (like Only Hits)
3. Tap on the station to open its page
4. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) or look for the alarm clock icon
5. Select Set as Alarm
6. Configure your alarm time and days
7. Save the alarm

Find Only Hits on TuneIn

With TuneIn, you'll never hear the same song twice as your alarm – every morning brings fresh music!

Method 3: Samsung Clock App (Samsung Devices)

If you have a Samsung phone, the built-in Clock app offers Spotify integration:

1. Open the Clock app
2. Go to Alarm and create or edit an alarm
3. Tap Alarm sound
4. Select Spotify from the options
5. Choose a song or playlist from your Spotify account

Method 4: Dedicated Radio Alarm Apps

Several third-party apps specialize in radio alarms. Popular options include:

• Radio Alarm Clock – Simple interface, reliable wake-up. Download here
• Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers – Features challenges to ensure you wake up Download here
• Simple Radio – Large station database with alarm function Download here

Tips for the Best Music Wake-Up Experience

Once you've set up your music alarm, consider these tips to optimize your morning routine:

1. Choose the Right Music

• Avoid jarring songs: Skip tracks with sudden loud intros
• Moderate tempo: Songs between 100-130 BPM work well for gentle awakening
• Positive lyrics: Start your day with uplifting messages

2. Set the Right Volume

Start with a moderate volume. You want to wake up, but not be startled. Some apps offer gradual volume increase features.

3. Consider Multiple Alarms

Set a gentle music alarm 10-15 minutes before you actually need to wake up, followed by a backup alarm.

4. Keep Your Phone Charged

Streaming radio or music requires power. Make sure your phone is charging overnight or has sufficient battery.

5. Ensure Stable Internet Connection

If you're using live radio, make sure your Wi-Fi is reliable. TuneIn and similar apps typically have offline fallback options.

Why Choose Only Hits for Your Morning Alarm?

Only Hits is the perfect radio station to wake up to. Here's why:

• Always fresh: We play the latest and greatest hits, so you'll never wake up to the same song
• Variety for every taste: Choose from our different stations:
  • Only Hits – Today's biggest pop hits
  • Only Hits Gold – Classic hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s
  • Only Hits Japan – The best of J-Pop and Japanese music
  • Only Hits K-Pop – Latest Korean pop hits
  • Top Hits – Chart-topping tracks worldwide
• 24/7 streaming: Music ready whenever your alarm goes off
• High-quality audio: Crystal clear streaming for the best wake-up experience
• Free to listen: No subscription required!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Alarm Doesn't Play Music

• Check that your phone isn't on silent or Do Not Disturb mode (or configure DND to allow alarms)
• Verify the music app has the necessary permissions
• Make sure you're signed into the music service

Radio Stream Doesn't Start

• Check your internet connection
• Verify the radio app is allowed to run in the background
• Disable battery optimization for the radio app

Volume Too Low

• Check your media volume (not just alarm volume)
• Some phones have separate volume controls for alarms and media

Conclusion

Waking up to music or radio is a simple change that can significantly improve your mornings. Whether you prefer Spotify playlists on Android, Apple Music on iPhone, or live radio streaming with Only Hits, there's a solution for everyone.

The easiest options:

• iPhone users: Download our Apple Shortcuts and set up an automation to wake up to Only Hits
• Android users: Use TuneIn's built-in alarm feature with Only Hits

Ready to transform your mornings? Start listening to Only Hits and set up your perfect music alarm today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Spotify as an alarm on iPhone?

Not directly through the Clock app, but you can use Apple Shortcuts to create an automation that plays Spotify when your alarm stops.

Is there a free way to wake up to music?

Yes! Live radio stations like Only Hits are completely free. Use TuneIn on Android or our Apple Shortcuts on iPhone to wake up to free radio every morning.

Will the alarm work without internet?

Live radio requires internet. For offline use, download songs to your device and use them as alarm sounds, or use the default alarm as a backup.

Can I set different music for different days?

Yes! Most alarm apps allow you to create multiple alarms with different sounds for each day of the week.

What's the best music to wake up to?

Studies suggest upbeat songs with a gradual buildup work best. Pop hits and energetic tracks are great choices – exactly what Only Hits plays 24/7!