Play timer alarm only through AirPods

How do I make it so that my timer alarm only plays through my headphones? I use a timer to study, and if I am studying in a library or somewhere else public, I want to be the only one who hears my alarm go off. Currently, if I set a timer on my MacBook, iPad, or iPhone, I hear the alarm through my AirPods and my device. I would like to only hear it through my headphones. Is this possible? (I have tried placing my devices in silent mode and that doesn't help, and if I turn my ringer volume all the way down, it automatically increases one click so the alarm/timer still sounds even very quietly)

iPad Pro (M5, 2025)

Posted on Nov 22, 2025 7:55 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 9, 2025 10:14 AM

No — Apple does NOT currently allow timers or alarms to play only through AirPods.

Timers and alarms on iPhone, iPad, and Mac are designed to always play through:

  • The device speaker
  • and any connected headphones

…as a safety feature.

You cannot disable the device speaker for system alarms.

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Play timer alarm only through AirPods

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