No audio when device is in silent mode (Android 10)

[AnonRS3]

I'm experiencing issue #100 on my Google Pixel 3. My alarm audio stream is on max volume and the device is in silent mode (which just turns off the ring/notification stream), yet the alarm sound doesn't play. The alarm sound only plays when my device has the ringer turned on. Is there a way to ensure the app uses the alarm audio stream? I can't find a setting for it.

[tibbi]

It does use it already. Do other Clock apps work well?

[AnonRS3]

@tibbi yep I've never had a problem with the stock clock app. I haven't tried any other clock apps aside from stock and Simple Clock.

[tibbi]

well stocks apps usually work differently than the downloaded ones. Please try downloading one app.

[AnonRS3]

Just tried this app and the alarm sound works fine.

This one also works

And this one

[tibbi]

okay then, Ill take a look at it. Do you have Android 10?

[AnonRS3]

Thank you for looking into it. And yes I have Android 10.

[tibbi]

retry with 5.2.2 released soon please

[AnonRS3]

Will do. Thank you for your help with this issue. I use quite a few of these apps, just donated to help support!

[AnonRS3]

@tibbi I just received the 5.2.2 update via F-Droid. After multiple tests in silent mode (ring/vibrate off), the app doesn't play an alarm sound, even with the alarm audio stream being at 100% volume. It does work in both vibrate and ring modes, however.

[tibbi]

ok Ill take a look at it

[TLATER]

I'm also seeing this, and have been roughly since I started using lineage OS.

Any way we can help debug?

[oluc]

same here: muted phone = alarm is silent (other alarm app plays sound) (Android 8, Clock 5.5.0)

[oluc]

this app [1] has a setting to "Override sound profile", and the sound is played even on muted phone. Maybe this help?

[1] https://github.com/adrcotfas/Goodtime

[tibbi]

I dont know, this app wont be a priority anytime soon. It can have so many device specific issues that it isn't even worth working on.

[oluc]

trying to understand : is it really due to specific devices? or just normal default behavior for all?

I mean that when user mutes the phone, alarms should not ring — unless the user specifically allows that alarm/app to overwrite "mute". That's what Goodtime [1] (a simple timer) is doing.

Are there devices where this app rings even though the phone is muted?

[tibbi]

there are many things done differently related to audio in general, but alarms also just arent reliable enough. Check Google Clock, how many bad ratings it has related to it being unreliable. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.deskclock&showAllReviews=true . I cant explain to everyone the huge amount of settings they have to go through to make it work well, that it not user friendly, but there is no other way. By default there can be tons of important things blocked.

[oluc]

fair enough. thanks

[sasukeiscool]

This is still a problem in Android 11 (Galaxy S20) as well

[Raeitus]

Just want to say, I'm also having this issue on Android 13. My audio stream is on max volume, but if my phone is on vibrate or silent, it won't play alarm sound, it'll only vibrate.

[tibbi]

get into the notification settings of the app through your device settings and tweak it there. Maybe the app isnt allowed to ignore DND mode.