Your Apple Watch’s ringtone is loud enough, but calls, music, or Siri still sound too quiet. Each has a separate volume control. Start with the sound you want to increase, then check the settings that silence alerts or the speaker problems that muffle audio.
Turn up ringtones and alerts
Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics on your watch. Turn off Automatically Adjust Volume if that setting is present. Tap the volume-up button, or select the volume slider and turn the Digital Crown to increase it.
Automatic adjustment works on Apple Watch SE 3, Series 9, Ultra 2, and later models running watchOS 26 or later. For louder automatic sound, enable Automatically Adjust Volume and choose Level > Louder. This covers ringtones, notifications, alarms, and timers.
Automatic adjustment has a ceiling. For control up to 100%, use the manual volume setting.
Prefer using your iPhone? Open Apple Watch > My Watch > Sounds & Haptics, turn off Automatically Adjust Volume if enabled, and raise the volume slider. Supported watches also offer Level > Louder for automatic adjustment.
If alerts stay silent, check the sound modes
This restores alerts silenced by sound modes without changing their configured volume.
Press the side button to open Control Center.
Turn off Silent Mode using the bell button.
Turn off Theater Mode using the masks button if it is active.
Check that Silent Mode is still off.
If a Focus is enabled, tap its active control, such as Do Not Disturb.
Turn that Focus off.
Raise music and podcast volume
While audio is playing, press the side button to open Control Center.
Tap the Volume button.
Raise the volume slider.
To use the Digital Crown instead, open the audio’s playback screen.
Turn the Digital Crown to increase playback volume.
For audio playing on another supported Apple device, open Now Playing on your watch.
Select the device playing the audio, such as your iPhone, iPad, or HomePod.
Turn the Digital Crown to raise that device’s volume.
Media controls affect the active audio output, so select the intended destination through Control Center > AirPlay when sound is coming from the wrong device.
Make the person on a call louder
During an active call, open its screen in Phone on your watch.
Turn the Digital Crown to increase listening volume. This setting is separate from the incoming-call ringtone.
If the call remains too quiet, tap More Options.
Select another audio device.
To move the conversation to your iPhone instead, unlock the iPhone.
If listening on the watch still is not working for you, tap the green call button or bar on your unlocked iPhone to continue the call there.
Give Siri a louder voice
This raises Siri’s spoken responses, which have their own volume setting.
Open Settings > Siri > Siri Responses > Voice Volume.
Turn off Automatically Adjust Volume on watches that offer it.
Raise the volume slider.
For automatic Siri volume on Apple Watch SE 3, Series 9, Ultra 2, and later models, enable Automatically Adjust Volume instead.
Choose Level > Louder.
For a quick voice adjustment, say, “Hey Siri, speak louder,” with your wrist raised.
Alternatively, turn the Digital Crown while Siri’s response is audible.
If Siri does not speak at all, select Settings > Siri > Siri Responses > Always On. This allows spoken responses even in Silent Mode.
Adjust quiet headphones
Use these controls when you are listening through connected headphones. Check the headphone safety limit if playback remains too quiet after increasing the volume.
During playback, press the side button to open Control Center.
Tap the Hearing Devices Switch button.
Increase the level using the controls below Headphone Volume.
With Siri-enabled AirPods connected to your playback device, say, “Hey Siri, turn up the volume,” for a voice-controlled adjustment. That changes playback volume; “speak louder” changes Siri’s voice.
If a maximum-volume limit is responsible, open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety > Reduce Loud Sounds.
Select a higher maximum level only after considering your listening exposure. Higher exposure can damage hearing.
After a headphone-exposure notification automatically lowers playback volume, consider the exposure warning before increasing it again.
To raise playback again, use the media-volume controls described above.
Clear a muffled speaker
Water trapped in the speaker needs a different fix from a higher volume setting. After water exposure, press the side button to open Control Center.
Tap Water Lock.
Press and hold the Digital Crown until Unlocked appears. The watch plays tones to eject water.
Check the speaker openings for debris. Avoid heat, compressed air, sprays, and inserting objects into the openings.
Dry the watch with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
For trapped water, rest the watch speaker-side down on the cloth and allow the water to evaporate.
If sound still malfunctions, start a restart by holding the side button.
Tap the power button.
Drag Power Off.
After shutdown, hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This completes the restart to try when water ejection and drying have not restored normal sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does increasing haptic strength make my Apple Watch louder?
No. Haptic strength changes vibration, not loudness.
Can my Apple Watch alarm sound while Silent Mode is on?
Yes. On watchOS 27, open Alarms. Tap the alarm time. Enable Break Through Silent Mode to let that ordinary alarm sound while you are wearing the watch.
How do I unmute just one app’s notifications?
For an app silenced with Mute 1 hour or Mute for Today, swipe left on one of its notifications. Tap More. Tap Unmute.
How do I increase VoiceOver volume?
On watchOS 27, open Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Audio. Increase VoiceOver volume. Alternatively, with VoiceOver enabled, double-tap and hold with two fingers, then slide upward.