Can You Set Custom Alarm Sounds on macOS 13?

The Clock app introduced in macOS 13 Ventura does not natively support custom alarm sounds, meaning you cannot directly select your own music tracks, MP3s, or imported audio files as an alarm tone. Instead, the application limits users strictly to a pre-installed list of Apple system alerts. However, while the Clock app itself lacks this functionality, you can achieve the same result using alternative built-in macOS tools and third-party software.

The Limitation of the macOS 13 Clock App

When you create or edit an alarm in the macOS 13 Clock app, clicking the Sound drop-down menu displays only Apple’s default alert tones, such as Radar, Beacon, Chimes, and Apex. Unlike the iOS version of the Clock app, which allows you to pick songs from your Apple Music library, the macOS version provides no option to browse your local files or select a track from the Music app.

Workarounds to Play Custom Sounds for Alarms

If you need a custom sound, song, or audio prompt to act as an alarm, use one of the following methods:

1. Use the Shortcuts App

macOS includes the Shortcuts app, which can play specific songs or audio files at predetermined times:

  1. Open the Shortcuts app on your Mac.
  2. Click the + (Add) button to create a new shortcut.
  3. In the action search bar on the right, search for Play Music or Play Sound.
  4. Select the specific song or audio file you want to hear.
  5. Save the shortcut with a name like "Morning Alarm."
  6. You can run this shortcut via a scheduled Calendar event or by using terminal tools like cron or launchd to trigger it automatically at your desired wake-up time.

2. Use the Calendar App

The built-in Calendar app allows you to schedule alerts that open files:

  1. Open the Calendar app and create an event at the time you want the alarm to trigger.
  2. Set the event to repeat daily or on your preferred schedule.
  3. In the event details, click on Alert, select Custom…, and change the action to Open file.
  4. Choose the audio file you want to play. When the event time arrives, macOS will launch your default media player and play the chosen file.

3. Use Third-Party Alarm Software

If you prefer a dedicated alarm interface with full custom audio support, third-party apps provide the easiest solution. Free and paid applications available on the Mac App Store—such as Wake Up Time or Alarm Clock Pro—include native options to choose MP3 files, playlists, and custom sounds directly from your drive.