How Break Through Silent Mode Works

Apple Watch users have long relied on Sleep Wake-Up Alarms, which can wake them up with either sound or haptic vibrations when the silent profile is enabled. However, some users find that haptic-only alarms and snoozes aren’t strong enough to wake them.

With watchOS 11.4, Apple introduces the Break through Silent Mode tool, which ensures that alarms play an audible sound even when the Apple Watch is on silent profile. This new toggle appears just below the Snooze option in the alarm settings.

  • If enabled: The alarm will play a sound along with haptics, even in silent mode.
  • If disabled: The alarm will only play a sound if the silent mode is off.

It’s surprising that Apple only now added this feature, considering iPhones and competing smartwatches have had similar options for years.

How to Set Up a Sleep Wake-Up Alarm on Apple Watch

Accessing the Break through Silent Mode feature is found in each alarm’s setting, which you need to enable it manually but only once for recurring alarms or with those synced with the Sleep Mode. Below is how it is done.

  1. Open the Health app on iPhone. 
  2. Tap Browse and then select Sleep.
  3. Now, tap Full Schedule & Options.
  4. Set your Sleep Schedule.
  5. Enable Wake Up Alarm and customize the sound, haptics, or snooze options.
  6. If using the Apple Watch, ensure Sleep Mode is enabled in Control Center.
An iPhone screen showing the Sleep Schedule settings with options for bedtime and wake-up time.
Tap Edit to start modifying the alarm
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A smartphone screen displaying the u0027Edit Your Scheduleu0027 interface with options for days and bedtime.
Set the alarm time and then tap on the Done button to save changes.
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A smartphone screen showing the u0027Edit Your Scheduleu0027 alarm settings with options for sounds and snooze.
You can also enable snooze for an alarm.
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An iPhone screen displaying the Control Center with a highlighted Sleep option.
Enable Sleep Mode in Control Center.
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Apple Watch displaying the alarm screen set for 14:00 with toggle switch.
On an Apple Watch, go to a set alarm and edit it.
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Apple Watch screen showing alarm settings with u0027Break Through Silent Modeu0027 option highlighted.
Turn on Break through Silent Mode to allow audible alarms in silent mode.
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Apple Watch displaying alarm settings with options to snooze and break through silent mode.
Once enabled, alarms will play sound whether silent mode is switched on or not.
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Other watchOS 11.4 Features

Aside from the alarm update, watchOS 11.4 also introduces support for Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners in the Home app, allowing users to control them via Siri and automation scenes. Additionally, the update includes bug fixes to improve UI responsiveness when selecting or switching watch faces.

The watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the following Apple Watch Series and Watch Ultra models:

You can download and install the watchOS update through a connected iPhone and then by going to the General section of the Apple Watch app.

What do you think of Break Through Silent Mode? Is this a feature you’ve been waiting for? Please let us know in the comments!

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