How to Wake Someone up Over the Phone: 4 Practical Ways

If you wish to wake someone up over the phone, a call is usually enough. Text messages can also work, however, you might need to send over multiple texts if they’re in a deep slumber. But what if the other person’s device is set to DND? Is there a way you can get past Do Not Disturb to wake them up? Let’s find out.

While you can create alarms on your iPhone and Android devices, there’s always a risk of the alarm not working properly. Moreover, what if you forgot to set the alarm? Armageddon. But our smartphones are called smart for a reason. They know that such scenarios can occur, which is why there are ways that allow you to bypass modes like DND and get through to other’s devices.

On that note, let us have a look at all the ways you can wake someone up over the phone on Android and iOS.

Method 1. Add an Exception to Get Past Do Not Disturb Mode

Getting through to someone when their iPhone is on Do Not Disturb (DND) is an impossible task as it blocks all the notifications. However, there are some workarounds available. Adding your contact as a DND exception or an emergency contact can help you get in touch with them without restrictions.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open Settings

Step 2: Here, tap on Focus.

Step 3: Tap on ‘Do Not Disturb’.

Step 4: Under the Allow Notifications section, tap on People.

Step 5: Here, select ‘Allow Notification From’ and tap on Add.

Step 6: Use the search bar to find the relevant contact and tap on it from the search results.

Step 7: Here, tap on Done.

The contact has now been added as a DND exception, which will allow you to call the user regardless of whether the device is on DND or not.

On Android Phone

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Here, tap on Notifications.

Step 3: Then, tap on ‘Do not disturb’.

Step 4: Tap on ‘Calls and messages’.

Step 5: Here, tap on the + icon above Add contacts.

Step 6: Use the search bar to find the contact and tap on it from the search results.

Step 7: Once added, tap on Done.

You can also repeat these steps to add multiple contacts as exceptions in your device’s DND settings.

Method 2. Use Find My to Wake Someone up if Their Phone Is on Silent

You can also use Find My on your iPhone or Android device to wake someone up. Let’s see how to use it as an alarm.

On iPhone

Note: Ensure the Find My app is enabled and the device is added to your list of devices before proceeding.

Step 1: Open the Find My app.

Open Find My

Step 2: From the menu options, tap on Devices.

Step 3: Here, tap on the relevant device from the list.

Step 4: Tap on Play Sound.

This will play a loud sound on the selected device and allow you to wake someone up even when their phone is in silent mode. You can repeat this until you’re sure the other person has woken up.

On Android

Note: You will need to have access to the other person’s account details registered with the Android device in question to use this method.

Step 1: Open the Find My Device app.

Open Find My Device

Step 2: Here, tap on ‘Sign in as guest’.

Step 3: Enter the email ID of the user you wish to wake up and tap on Next.

Step 4: Here, enter the password and tap on Next to finish signing in.

Step 5: Select the device and tap on Play Sound.

Step 6: Tap on Stop Ringing if you wish to stop the sound before 5 minutes are up.

If not stopped, the sound will play for the next 5 minutes, unless silenced by the other user by pressing the power key.

Method 3. Set up Emergency Bypass on iPhone

iPhone’s Focus mode and Focus Filters can greatly help in reducing distractions, especially when you’re working on something that requires concentration. However, we often forget to set an end time or turn these modes and filters off. This can lead to the automatic rejection of calls, texts, and other mediums of communication as the device works to keep itself distraction-free.

To ensure this does not happen, you can turn on Emergency Bypass on your iPhone. This will allow you to wake someone up through text or call, regardless of the mode the device is set in.

Method 4. Use Third-Party Apps to Wake Someone up

Certain third-party apps like Galarm let you set up buddy alarms, urgent alerts, and group reminders. This can be extremely helpful if you’re looking to wake someone up but they’re not receiving your calls. Here’s how to do it.

Note: Before starting, ensure both devices have the Galarm app installed and signed in to.

Step 1: Open the Galarm app.

Open Galarm on iOS

Open Galarm on Android

Step 2: Here, tap on the + icon.

Step 3: Tap on New Alarm.

Step 4: Here, tap on Someone Else.

Step 5: Tap on the contact you wish to set the alarm for and then, tap on Next.

Step 6: Now, use the options to set the relevant time, date, ringtone, etc. for the alarm.

Step 7: Once done, tap on Save.

The alarm will play for the other user at the set time. Additionally, you can also use other third-party apps like Wakie Chat (for Android and iOS) and Air Horn & Police Siren (iOS only) to wake someone up over the phone.

FAQs for Waking Someone Over the Phone

Wake Your Buddy

Missing an alarm has always been a top 10 in our list of nightmare scenarios. This is one of the reasons why the ability to wake someone up over the phone is a godsend. And if your laptop is your trusty companion, you can also check our guide to set, edit or delete an alarm in Windows 11.