How adhan notifications work
A prayer app calculates the day's prayer times and schedules a notification with an adhan sound at each one. That is enough for most of the day. For short notification sounds, iOS plays the adhan as the notification tone.
Why silent mode stops the adhan
On iPhone, notification sounds respect the silent switch and Focus modes. If your phone is on silent, the adhan notification arrives quietly. This is an iOS rule, and it applies to every app.
What rings through silent: alarms
Alarms are different. They ring even when the phone is on silent. That is why HayatTime's Fajr Alarm uses iOS alarms: the real adhan plays for Fajr even on silent, follows Fajr through the year, and only stops when you photograph your sink or prayer mat.
A sensible setup
- Fajr: the Fajr Alarm, so you wake up.
- Dhuhr to Isha: adhan notifications, with your phone off silent when you can.
- At work or in class: a pre-prayer reminder and a Lock Screen widget, so you know what is coming.
You can preview adhan sounds in HayatTime's notification settings, and control playback from the Lock Screen.
Quick answers
Why doesn't my adhan play when my iPhone is on silent?
iPhone notification sounds, including adhan notifications, follow the silent switch and Focus modes. Only true alarms ring through silent.
How can I hear the adhan for Fajr on silent?
Use an alarm rather than a notification. HayatTime's Fajr Alarm uses iOS alarms, so the real adhan rings through silent mode for Fajr.