Why Is Your Phone Telling You the Time? – Here’s How You Can Stop It (iPhone & Android)
So your phone's developed a mind of its own and decided its primary job is to announce the time. Constantly. Or maybe the clock is just permanently seared onto your display when you know it should be off. Weird, annoying, and definitely something you want to fix, whether you're rocking an iPhone or an Android. I get it. As someone who lives and breathes tech I've seen this pop up in all sorts of ways.
Well, that’s why this guide is all about taking a closer look at the common (and sometimes not-so-common) reasons your phone is doing this, from accidental Siri or Google Assistant triggers to those deep-in-the-settings accessibility features, always-on screens, and even some quirky alarm clock behaviors. Stick with me, and we'll get your phone back to telling time on your terms.
Top Reasons Your Phone Randomly Announces the Time
Before discussing the solutions, let’s briefly have a look at why your phone is suddenly acting up in the first place. Nine times out of ten, it's not a full-blown system meltdown. Based on my experience and research, it's usually one of these usual suspects:
Accessibility Features
Both Android (with TalkBack) and iOS (with VoiceOver) have fantastic accessibility tools. Seriously, they're game-changers for users who need them. But. They can sometimes be triggered by an accidental button combo in your pocket or a stray tap when you're handing your phone to someone. Suddenly, your phone is narrating everything, including the time.
Voice Assistants (Google Assistant & Siri)
Google Assistant and Siri. The two most used voice assistants. Pretty useful for setting reminders when my hands are full with, say, sheet music, or quickly checking facts for a blog post (only possible thanks to the help of Gemini and ChatGPT integration). But sometimes, a routine you set up ages ago – or one that got created by another app – could have "announce the time" sneakily embedded. Or, it just mishears you. Classic.
Alarm Clock Settings
This one gets a lot of people. Some clock apps, especially on certain Android skins, have this quirky little setting to read the time aloud when an alarm goes off. You think you're just setting a wake-up call, but you've inadvertently signed up for a verbal time check too.
Third-Party Apps
Then there are the apps themselves. Weather apps wanting to give you the time with your morning forecast, "speaking clock" apps you might have downloaded and forgotten, or even some fitness trackers trying to be extra helpful by announcing your workout duration alongside the current time. They mean well, probably.
Software Glitches
And sometimes, yeah, it's just a bug. A recent OS update that went a bit sideways, or an app update that introduced some unexpected "features." It happens. Less common for just time announcements, but it's in the mix.
What's wild is how often these things get turned on by accident. You're not trying to make your phone talk; you just held the volume keys a bit too long. From a user experience perspective – and my psychology background loves to pick this apart – it's a classic case of powerful features needing equally clear (and sometimes better protected) controls. And because everything's so connected these days – an app using the voice assistant, an alarm triggering a routine – figuring out which setting is the culprit can feel like detective work. One feature might be innocently minding its own business, but another one pokes it, and suddenly your phone won't shut up about the time.
Next, let’s get into how you can actually stop it from happening.
1. Accessibility Settings
Okay, so if your phone has turned into an unexpected narrator, chances are an accessibility feature like TalkBack (Android) or VoiceOver (iOS) is the reason behind it all. These are genuinely helpful tools, but when they're on by mistake, it can feel like you're trying to solve a puzzle just to use your phone because the way you tap and swipe completely changes. Believe me when I say that trying to navigate through three sub-menus with TalkBack active when you don't know the gestures is an exercise in patience you didn't sign up for. So, let's look at different ways to turn it off.
How to Turn Off TalkBack on Android
If your Android phone is giving you a running commentary, that's likely TalkBack. It's reading out everything your finger touches, which is great if you need it, less so if you don't.
Ask Google to Do It
If your Google Assistant is listening, just say, "Hey Google, turn off TalkBack." That will turn it off.
The Volume Key Shortcut
This is another easy way to turn it off (if previously activated, more on this in a sec). Press and hold both volume keys for about 3 seconds. You should hear something like "TalkBack off."
Via Settings
Head into your phone's Settings.
Scroll down to Accessibility.
Look for TalkBack (it might be nested under "Screen reader" or similar – different phone makers love to move things around!).
Find the toggle for Use TalkBack and switch it off.
Tip for Navigating with TalkBack Active
If you are stuck going the manual route with TalkBack on, remember the “magic” moves:
Tap an item once to select it (it'll get a green box).
Double-tap anywhere on the screen to actually activate what you selected.
To scroll, use two fingers to swipe. One finger won't cut it. It feels weird at first, like patting your head and rubbing your stomach, but you'll get it.
Stop It From Happening Again
Once you've silenced the cause, do yourself a favor. Go back into Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and look for the TalkBack shortcut (or "Volume key shortcut"). Turn that function off if you don't need it.
How to Turn Off VoiceOver on iPhone
iPhone user? If your device is chattering away, VoiceOver is probably the culprit. Apple's screen reader is powerful, but like TalkBack, it changes how you interact with your screen.
Ask Siri to Do It
The quickest fix? Just ask Siri. "Hey Siri, turn off VoiceOver." Done (And if you want a deeper dive into getting the most out of Apple's assistant, I've put together a complete guide on how to use Siri on your iPhone).
Via Settings
Open the Settings app.
Scroll to Accessibility.
Tap VoiceOver (it's usually in the "Vision" group).
Toggle that VoiceOver switch off.
Tip for Navigating with VoiceOver On
If Siri isn't an option and you're deep in the settings with VoiceOver active:
Tap once to select an item (it'll get a black or green border).
Double-tap to activate the selected item.
To scroll, use three fingers. Yes, three.
The Triple-Click Shortcut
Apple has a neat Accessibility Shortcut. If it's set up for VoiceOver, triple-click the Side button (on iPhones with Face ID) or the Home button (on older models). This can toggle it on or off.
Check its setup: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. Make sure VoiceOver is either selected (if you want the shortcut) or deselected (if you don't).
Control Center Quick Toggle
You might have VoiceOver (or Accessibility Shortcuts) in your Control Center. Swipe to open it and look for the icon.
To add it: Go to Settings > Control Center and see if you can add "Accessibility Shortcuts" or "VoiceOver." Handy if you actually use it sometimes, but want a quick out.
2. Voice Assistant (Google Assistant & Siri)
Alright, next up: your digital assistant might be a little too eager to please. Google Assistant and Siri are usually decent, but they can definitely be the reason your phone is announcing the time, often thanks to a routine you forgot about or a notification setting that's a bit too broad. Finding these settings can sometimes feel like a scavenger hunt because they can live in a few different places.
How to Manage/Turn Off Google Assistant on Android
Google Assistant is powerful (and if you're curious how it stacks up against newer AI like Gemini, I've explored the differences between Gemini and Google Assistant in another post), and with great power comes... the occasional weird time announcement. Here's where to look:
Routines
This is a big one. You might have set up a "Good Morning" routine that includes the time, or another app could have created one.
How to check: Open the Google Home app, tap your profile pic > Assistant settings > Routines. Or, in the Google app, hit your profile pic > Settings > Google Assistant > Routines.
Scan that list. See a routine that mentions time? Tap it and either edit out the time announcement action or just delete the whole routine if it's not serving you. I once had a smart plug routine (for turning off the lights before bed) that somehow decided to also tell me the time. Took me a bit to find that one.
Why Does My Phone Keep Telling Me the Time When I Have Headphones In? (Spoken Results)
If your phone pipes up even when you're not actively using it, especially with headphones in (a classic student problem when you're trying to be discreet in the library!), this could be it.
General Spoken Results: In the Google app, tap your profile > Settings > Voice > Spoken Results. Try changing this to "Hands-free searches only" or even turn them off if they're bugging you.
Headphone: Still in Google app > Settings > Voice, check Hands-free. Toggling this off often helps if the time announcements are mainly a headphone concert. Some Android phones also have specific wired headphone settings in the main system settings that can integrate with Assistant – worth a peek if you're still stuck.
"Hey Google" Being Too Sensitive
If the Assistant is just randomly waking up and saying things (maybe including the time), it probably is mishearing background noise.
Adjust Sensitivity (via Google Home app): Find your device in the Home app, tap its Settings (gear icon, at the top right) > Audio > "Hey Google" sensitivity. Try making it a bit less sensitive.
Voice Match Check: In the Google Home app > Profile > Assistant settings > Voice Match, you can retrain your voice model. Sometimes this helps it ignore other sounds. Worth giving a shot.
Finding the exact Google Assistant setting often feels a bit like navigating a maze, as these options can sometimes move around with app updates. But these are the prime locations I always check first when a device starts getting chatty.
How to Manage/Turn Off Siri on iPhone
Over on the Apple side, if Siri is your time-telling culprit, it's usually about how it handles notifications.
"Announce Notifications"
Siri can read out notifications from Messages, Reminders, and even third-party apps. If that notification happens to contain the time (like "Team meeting at 4 PM"), Siri will dutifully announce it. I find this useful sometimes when I'm driving, but a nightmare if I'm trying to record audio for a video and my phone starts reading out my calendar.
The Fix: Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri (or Siri & Search on older models). Here, you can turn off Announce Notifications completely, or pick and choose which apps get announcement privileges. My advice? Start by turning it off globally, then re-enable only for critical apps if you miss it.
You will also find "Announce Notifications on Speaker" for external speakers under Settings > Accessibility > Siri.
"Announce Calls"
Similar to notifications, Siri can announce who's calling.
Control it: Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri (Siri & Search) > Announce Calls. Set it to "Never," or "Headphones & CarPlay," or "Headphones Only" based on your preference.
Calendar/Reminder Notifications Specifically
While the main "Announce Notifications" setting should cover these, if you're only getting time announcements related to events, double-check that apps like Calendar and Reminders aren't set to announce, or that their notification style isn't causing this. For Google Calendar on iOS, you'll manage its specific notification sounds/alerts within the Google Calendar app itself or via the iOS Settings for that app (Settings > Notifications > Google Calendar).
"Hey Siri / Siri" or "Allow Siri When Locked" Over-Activating
If Siri just pops up randomly, it might be misinterpreting "Hey Siri / Siri" or activating from accidental button presses.
Dial it back: Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Talk & Type to Siri. Here you can turn it off. In Apple Intelligence & Siri you can deactivate "Allow Siri When Locked" as well.
Alternatively, on older models, go to Settings > Siri & Search. Try toggling off "Listen for 'Hey Siri'"and/or "Allow Siri When Locked." See if that brings some peace.
Focus Modes
This is a bit more nuanced. Focus modes (like Do Not Disturb, Work, Sleep) are great for filtering notifications. They won't make Siri announce the time on their own, but if a time-related notification is allowedby your Focus settings, and "Announce Notifications" is on for that app, then yeah, Siri will speak up. So if this only happens during certain Focus modes, check what's allowed in Settings > Focus > [Your Focus Mode] > Allow Notifications. It’s a classic example of how one setting can unexpectedly influence another.
Siri's settings are generally a bit more centralized, but the interaction between notifications and announcements is key.
3. Alarm Clock Settings
Believe it or not, sometimes the humble Clock app is the one moonlighting as a newsreader, especially on Android phones where manufacturers like to put their own spin on things.
How to Turn Off the Alarm on Android
Google's Own Clock App (Pixel, Stock Android)
Good news here – the standard Google Clock app generally doesn't have a built-in "read time aloud" feature for alarms unless that alarm is tied to a Google Assistant Routine.
The Fix: Open your Clock app, go to the Alarm tab. Tap the alarm that's causing trouble to see its settings (often a little down arrow to expand). Look for anything that says "Google Assistant Routine." If you see one, that's your culprit. Tap it to edit the routine (and remove the time announcement part) or just hit the 'X' or 'Remove' to unlink the routine from the alarm entirely. Problem solved. I've seen this happen when someone sets up a morning routine via Assistant and ties it to their alarm, then forgets the routine includes a spoken time.
Samsung Clock App
If you're on a Samsung phone, this is a frequent flyer. Their clock app often has a direct toggle.
The Fix: Open the Clock app, pick your alarm. Tap Alarm sound, then Ringtone. You should see a toggle for "Read time aloud." Switch that sucker off.
Also, check for "Bixby Alarm": Under Alarm Sound, Samsung usually also offers a "Bixby alarm." This one loves to chat – it can read the time, weather, and news. If that's selected, it's definitely why your alarm is talking. Just switch back to a normal ringtone.
Other Android Phones (Xiaomi, OnePlus, etc.)
If you're using a phone from another brand, you'll need to play detective in your specific Clock app's alarm settings. Look for phrases like "speak time," "read aloud," "verbal announcement," or anything similar. These settings are all over the place depending on the manufacturer, which, as a tech reviewer, I can tell you is both interesting and occasionally frustrating when you're trying to find a consistent setting across devices.
The key with Android alarms is that the experience can vary wildly. It's not always as straightforward as you'd hope.
How to Turn Off the Alarm on iPhone
Here's some simpler news: the native iPhone Clock app itself doesn't have a setting to make alarms speak the time. Nope. An iPhone alarm will play your chosen ringtone, a song from Apple Music, or just vibrate. That's it.
So, if your iPhone alarm seems to be announcing the time, it's almost certainly due to one of these indirect causes:
You're Using a Third-Party Alarm App
Downloaded a fancy alarm clock from the App Store? It might have its own "speak time" feature. We'll touch on third-party apps in the next section of the main blog post.
A Siri Shortcut or Automation Is at Play
You (or someone else with access to your phone) might have set up a custom Siri Shortcut or an Automation in the Shortcuts app that's triggered by your alarm going off, and thatshortcut includes an action to speak the current time. This is getting into power-user territory, but it's definitely possible. I've experimented with these for my own morning routines – like having lights turn on and music start – and adding a "speak text" action is easy.
"Announce Notifications", Again
As we covered with Siri, if "Announce Notifications" is on, and another notification (like a calendar reminder for an 8 AM meeting) happens to pop up exactly when your 8 AM alarm goes off, Siri could announce that notification, making it seem like the alarm is speaking the time.
So, for iPhone users, if your alarm is chatty, your investigation should point towards third-party apps or those clever Siri Shortcuts/Automations. The Clock app itself is innocent on this one!
4. Third-Party Apps
Okay, if it’s not an accessibility feature, your voice assistant, or a quirky alarm setting, then the next place to look is the wild west of third-party apps. Yep, those countless apps you’ve downloaded? One of them might have decided it’s also a part-time talking clock. Pinpointing the exact app can feel like a real whodunit, especially if you're an app hoarder like I sometimes become when testing out new tools for content creation or studying.
How to Find the Chatty App
So, how do you find the needle in the digital haystack?
Recent Installs/Updates are Prime Suspects
Did the time announcements start right after you installed a new weather widget, a funky new launcher, or updated that obscure reminder app you downloaded for a single class project ages ago? Start there. It's often the latest change that's causing the grief.
Think About App Categories
What kind of app would talk about time?
Dedicated "speaking clock" or hourly chime apps (obvious, but easily forgotten).
Third-party alarm apps (many have their own announcement settings).
Reminder, to-do, or calendar apps (especially if notifications are set to verbal).
Weather apps (some love to give verbal updates with the time).
Fitness or wellness apps (announcing workout segments, breaks, or even "time to stand up!" with an audible cue).
Even some headphone companion apps can read out notifications, and if a notification includes the time, you'll hear it.
Check Notification Permissions
On Android: Head to Settings > Notifications > App settings. See who has permission to bother you. You can also go to Settings > Apps and check "Recently used apps" to see if any recent activity lines up with the announcements.
On iOS: Go to Settings > Notifications. This list shows every app and its notification style. It's a bit of a scroll, but super informative. For a more targeted approach, you can also check Settings > Screen Time > See All App & Website Activity, then scroll down to the 'Notifications' section to see which apps are the most 'talkative' in general. One of them might be your time-teller. I’ve found this useful to identify apps that are just generally over-notifying me, not just for time announcements.
This process can take a bit of patience. It's like trying to find which instrument in an orchestra is slightly out of tune – you have to listen carefully and isolate.
How to Silence the Problematic App: In-App vs. System-Level
Once you have a suspect (or a list of them), you’ve got two main ways to shut it up:
Dive into the App's Own Settings (Preferred First Step)
Open the app itself. Dig around in its settings menu – look for anything related to "notifications," "sound alerts," "voice announcements," "speak time," "chime," or similar. This is the best route if you still want other notifications from the app, just not the time-related ones.
Use the System-Level Mute Button (The More Drastic Option)
On Android: Go to Settings > Apps, find the app, tap Notifications. Here, you can toggle off "Allow notifications" entirely. For newer Android versions, you might even get granular control over types of notifications (notification channels) – look for one related to sound or verbal alerts and disable just that.
A note for Xiaomi (MIUI) users: Xiaomi likes to have its own way. You might also find notification controls under Settings > Privacy > Notification access or Settings > Notifications and control center > App notifications. Their "Time to take action (Accessibility timeout)" setting mostly affects how long pop-ups stay on screen, not usually direct audio, but good to be aware of the extra layers in MIUI.
On iOS: Go to Settings > Notifications, find the app, and toggle off "Allow Notifications." Simple and effective if you just want the app to be quiet, period.
To give you a head start in your app hunt, here are some common app types that are notorious for unexpected time announcements, and the kind of settings you should be looking for. I’ve run into issues with almost all of these categories at some point during my phone reviews or personal use:
| App Category | Example Settings to Check |
|---|---|
| Dedicated Speaking Clocks / Chime Apps | Look for settings like "Announce time," "Speaking interval," "Hourly chime," "Chime sound," or any "Enable voice" toggle. |
| Third-Party Alarm Apps | Check for "Speak time on alarm," "Read aloud," "Alarm sound options," or "Verbal notification." |
| Reminder / Task Management Apps | Investigate notification sound settings, specific alert types that might include voice, or "Spoken reminders." |
| Calendar Apps (especially third-party) | Examine event notification settings, alert sound options, and any integration with voice announcements. |
| Weather Apps | Look for "Verbal forecast updates," "Hourly announcements," or "Severe weather alert sound" (which might include time). |
| Fitness / Health / Wellness Apps | Check audible cues for workouts/breaks, progress announcements that might include time, or "Reminder to move" with sound. |
| Launcher Apps / Utility Apps (Android Only) | Explore settings related to voice feedback, integrated assistant features, or custom notification sounds/announcements. |
| Headphone Companion Apps / Bluetooth Apps | Review settings for reading out notifications or caller ID, which might inadvertently include time from other app notifications. |
5. Restart Your Phone
Seriously. It sounds almost too simple, like tech support 101, but you'd be amazed how often a good ol' reboot clears out temporary glitches or stuck processes. It’s the first thing I do when any device starts acting up, whether it's my main phone or a review unit.
If you need a quick reminder for your specific device, I have guides on how to restart an iPhone, a Google Pixel, and a Samsung Galaxy.
6. Keep Your Software Updated (OS and Apps)
This is a double-edged sword. Sometimes an update causes a new bug, but more often, updates for your operating system (Android or iOS) and your individual apps include crucial bug fixes. The issue might be a known problem that developers have already patched.
How to Update an Android Phone
Go to your phone's 'Settings.'
Scroll down until you find 'System' or 'About Phone' (this might vary depending on your phone's model).
Then tap on 'Software Update' or 'System Update.'
Once there, hit the 'Check for Updates' button. If there's an update available, it'll be listed here.
If you find an update, tap 'Download' and let your phone do its thing. It should restart once the update is installed.
App updates are in the Google Play Store (My apps & games).
How to Update an iPhone
Open the 'Settings' app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap 'General.'
Next, tap 'Software Update.'
Your iPhone will then check for any available updates. If one is available, you'll see an option to download and install it.
Tap 'Download and Install.' Your iPhone will then download the update and restart once it's installed.
App updates are via the App Store (tap your profile icon).
I make it a habit to check for updates regularly, especially when testing new gear for my tech blog – helps ensure I'm running the most stable versions.
7. Clear App Cache (Especially for Google App/Assistant on Android)
Apps store temporary data (cache) to run faster. Sometimes this data gets corrupted and causes weird behavior. The Google app and Assistant are common ones to try this with if they seem to be the source.
How to Clear App Cache on Android
Go to Settings > Apps, select the app in question (e.g., Google), tap Storage & cache, then hit Clear cache. Be cautious with "Clear data" or "Clear storage", as that’s more drastic and will reset the app to its initial state, like a fresh install – you’ll lose settings, logins, etc. Cache is safer to try first.
How to Clear App Cache on iOS
For iPhone users, clearing app cache works a bit differently as there isn't a system-wide 'clear all app cache' button; it's often handled within individual app settings or by offloading the app. I've detailed these methods in my guide on how to clear your cache on an iPhone.
8. Boot into Safe Mode (Android Only)
This is a fantastic diagnostic tool for Android users. Safe Mode loads your phone with only the essential system apps, temporarily disabling all the third-party apps you’ve downloaded. It's my go-to when I suspect an app I installed for a review or a new productivity tool is causing system-wide drama.
How to Enter Safe Mode (General Steps)
Press and hold your phone's power button until the power menu pops up.
Tap and hold the "Power off" option on your screen.
You should see a prompt like "Reboot to safe mode." Tap OK. (Some phones might need you to press and hold the Volume Down button during startup right after the manufacturer logo appears).
Testing in Safe Mode
You'll usually see "Safe mode" written somewhere on your screen. Now, use your phone. Is the time announcement gone?
If YES, it stops in Safe Mode: Bingo! A third-party app is almost certainly your culprit. Restart your phone normally (this exits Safe Mode). Then, the not-so-fun part: start uninstalling recently installed or updated apps one by one, testing after each, until the problem disappears. Start with the most likely suspects based on our earlier list.
If NO, it still happens in Safe Mode: The issue is likely deeper – with the OS itself or a core system setting.
Exiting Safe Mode
Just restart your phone normally. (Unfortunately, iOS doesn't have a similar user-accessible Safe Mode for this kind of third-party app troubleshooting.)
9. Check Your Phone Case
This is rare for consistent time announcements, but a poorly fitting case could theoretically press volume buttons (which might trigger an accessibility shortcut if one is enabled). Quick and easy to check if you're out of other ideas. Just pop the case off and see if it makes a difference.
10. When You've Tried Everything
Well, let's say you've patiently gone through every single step. You've checked accessibility, voice assistants, alarms, third-party apps, even those device-specific nooks and crannies. And your phone still won't shut up about the time. At this point, it's possible you're dealing with something more stubborn, like a deeper software bug or even a hardware issue (a glitchy microphone picking up phantom commands, for example).
Before you consider frisbeeing your phone into the nearest body of water (deep breaths!), here are the next steps:
Contact Manufacturer Support
Reach out to Apple, Samsung, Google, or whoever made your phone. They might be aware of specific known issues or have advanced diagnostic tools they can guide you through. They’re the experts on their own hardware and software, after all.
Visit a Certified Repair Technician
If you suspect hardware, a qualified tech can take a look. They can diagnose physical button problems, microphone issues, etc.
Factory Reset (LAST RESORT!)
If everyone suspects a really deep-seated software glitch that nothing else has fixed, a factory reset might be suggested. But be warned: this erases everything on your phone and returns it to its out-of-the-box state.
CRUCIAL: Before you even think about a factory reset, BACK UP ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA. Photos, videos, documents, contacts, everything. As someone who juggles student notes, blog drafts, and video project files, I can't stress this enough. Losing data is a nightmare. Once it's backed up securely, then and only then, proceed if you must.
A factory reset is the "turn it off and on again" for the entire operating system, but it's a big step, so treat it as such.
Lock Screen Settings and Always-On Display (Time Always Showing)
Here’s one more thing: We've talked a lot about your phone verbally telling you the time. But what if the issue you’re dealing with isn't your phone talking, but rather it constantly showing the time on its screen, even when you think it should be off? You glance over, and there's the clock, just staring back at you. Is it broken? Is it draining your battery? (That's always a top concern!). Usually, this isn't a bug, but a feature called Always-On Display (AOD) or a related lock screen setting doing its job... maybe a little too well for your liking.
Always-On Display (AOD)
Many modern phones, both Android and newer iPhones (like the iPhone 14 Pro and later Pro models), have this. The idea is pretty neat: your screen dims but continues to show essential info like the time, date, and maybe some notification icons, 24/7. Super convenient for a quick glance without waking your phone.
When Apple finally brought AOD to the iPhone 14 Pro, I was keen to test its impact on battery life and usability for my reviews. It's slick, but by default, it also shows your wallpaper, which some people find makes the phone look like it's still fully 'on.'
Android phones from Samsung, Google (Pixels), OnePlus, and others have had AOD for years, and implementations vary. Some are minimal; some are more customizable. You might see just a clock, or icons, or even small widgets. If your phone screen seems to be 'off' but still shows the time, AOD is almost certainly why.
Other Lock Screen Behaviors
Even without a full AOD, other settings can make the time pop up more than you expect:
Lift to Wake / Tap to Wake
Most phones will light up the lock screen (showing the time) when you pick them up or tap the screen. Super handy, but if you move your phone a lot, you'll see the time a lot.
Notifications Waking the Screen
Often, when a new notification comes in, the screen will briefly light up, showing the lock screen and, you guessed it, the time.
Screensaver Clock (Mostly Android)
If your Android phone is charging or docked, it might kick into a screensaver mode (sometimes called "Daydream" in older versions) that displays a clock. This is especially noticeable if you charge your phone on your nightstand (this feature works for newer iPhones too when charging horizontally) – suddenly it’s a bedside clock.
So, if your main question is "why does my phone always display the time?", these features are your answer. It’s generally by design, for convenience. But not everyone is a fan. Personally, I'm on the fence – I love the quick glance functionality, especially when I'm timing a task or just need a quick check between recording takes for my YouTube videos, but I also value a distraction-free screen when I'm trying to focus on writing blog posts or deep work for my law studies. And, of course, there's the battery life consideration – AODs are optimized, but they do use some power. If battery drain is a general concern for you, I've got a whole article on why your phone battery might be dying so fast and how to improve it.
If you'd rather your screen go completely dark when it's locked, here’s how to reclaim your screen's off-state:
How to Turn Off Always-On Display on iPhone (Pro Models)
If you've got an iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, or a newer Pro model with AOD:
Open Settings.
Go to Display & Brightness.
Scroll down and find Always On Display.
Toggle it off. Apple ships these phones with AOD on by default, so turning this off will make your screen go completely dark when locked, just like older iPhones.
Bonus Tip: While you're in Display & Brightness, you can also manage Raise to Wake. If you turn this off, your phone won't light up just because you picked it up. You’ll need to tap the screen or press a button to see the time.
How to Turn Off Always-On or Ambient Display on Android
The exact path varies a bit between Android manufacturers (part of that Android charm/chaos I guess), but the principle is the same:
Samsung Galaxy
Usually, it's Settings > Lock Screen, then find Always On Display and toggle it off. You might also find options to customize it here (e.g., show on tap, or only during certain hours). If not under Lock Screen, check Settings > Display.
Google Pixel
Go to Settings > Display > Lock screen. Look for "Always show time and info" (or a similar phrase like "Always active" on some versions) and toggle it off.
Other Androids (OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.)
Your best bet is to open Settings and use the search bar at the top. Type in "Always On," "Ambient Display," or even just "Lock screen." OnePlus often calls it "Ambient Display." Once you find it, you should see a toggle to disable it.
Controlling Other Wake-Up Behaviors
Also in Display or Lock Screen settings, look for options like "Lift to check phone," "Tap to wake," or "Wake screen for notifications." Disabling these will further reduce how often your screen lights up showing the time.
Once you've tweaked these settings, your phone should go properly dark when locked, giving you a more traditional, less distracting experience, especially at night or when you just need your phone to be unobtrusive. Remember, AOD isa feature, not a bug, designed for convenience. But now you know how to opt-out if it’s not for you. If you do rely on that at-a-glance time, you might need to leave it on or consider alternatives like a smartwatch or, you know, an old-school desk clock!
Final Thoughts
So, that talking phone. Annoying? Absolutely!
But as we've seen, nine times out of ten, it's not your phone being possessed. More often than not, it’s a setting buried somewhere in accessibility, your voice assistant, a misbehaving app, or even a software bug.
Running through those checks can feel like a bit of tech detective work, I know. But nailing down that one pesky toggle that’s been driving you crazy? Super satisfying. That’s what this guide was all about – giving you the map to find it.
The goal here is simple: you're the one calling the shots, not the other way around. Your phone should speak when youwant it to speak. Hopefully, these steps have helped you reclaim a bit of that control and, finally, enjoy the sound of silence – or at least, only the notifications you actually want to hear!
Funny how time flies when your phone isn't constantly reminding you, eh? But in all seriousness, I genuinely hope this guide helped you silence that rogue talking clock and get your phone back under your command. It's these little tech mysteries that can be the most frustrating, right?
Now, I’d love to hear from you: Have you ever had your phone or watch suddenly start narrating the time or exhibiting some other bizarre behavior? What ended up being the culprit in your case? Did you find a fix that I didn't cover? Share your experiences, tips, and any tech head-scratchers you’ve conquered in the comments section below. The more we share, the more we all learn.
And if you appreciate these kinds of practical tech deep-dives, honest reviews based on real-world use (like how this stuff actually performs when you're a student trying to study or a creator trying to create), and a focus on functionality over fleeting trends, then you'll definitely want to check out my tech newsletter. It's where I share more insights, tips, and reviews to help you make informed decisions about the tech in your life.
Thanks a lot for sticking with me through this one. See you around!
FAQ
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Yeah, I've bumped into this one myself, especially when trying to get into a focused study session or listen to music without interruptions. This usually points straight to your voice assistant – Google Assistant is often the prime candidate here – having specific settings for "hands-free" or headphone-connected scenarios. It thinks it's being helpful by reading out notifications or other info when it detects headphones.
Dive back into your Google Assistant's voice settings (we covered the path earlier in the main post) and look for anything related to 'Spoken Results' with headphones or 'Hands-free' modes. Toggling those off for headphone use usually does the trick.
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That's a valid concern, especially when tech starts acting weird out of the blue! Generally, for just announcing the time, a virus is pretty low on the list of suspects. It's almost always one of the built-in features we've talked about – accessibility settings like TalkBack or VoiceOver getting accidentally triggered, a voice assistant routine, a quirky alarm clock setting, or a third-party app with enthusiastic notification habits. Malware usually has more nefarious goals, like trying to access your data or blasting you with ads.
Of course, it's always good practice to keep your phone's software updated and only download apps from official stores (Google Play Store, Apple App Store) to stay safe. But for this specific issue? I'd bet 99-to-1 it's a setting, not a virus. Exhaust the fixes in this guide first!
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Good question! That's a slightly different beast, but definitely related to your phone "telling you the time" visually rather than audibly. This almost always points to your Always-On Display (AOD) settings or other lock screen features like "Lift to Wake" or notifications waking the screen. We have a whole section on that towards the end of the main blog post – "Lock Screen Settings and Always-On Display (Time Always Showing)". Jump back there for the step-by-step on how to tame that ever-present clock on both iPhone and Android. It's usually a feature working as intended for quick glances, but not everyone loves a screen that never truly sleeps, especially if you're concerned about battery life or distractions.
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Oh, this is a classic and super frustrating one! You think you've slayed the dragon, and then BAM, it's back after a fumble in your pocket. The good news is, on most phones, you can (and absolutely should, if you don't need it!) disable that shortcut. After you turn off TalkBack or VoiceOver via the main settings menu, dive right back into those same TalkBack/VoiceOver settings. Look specifically for an option called "TalkBack shortcut," "Volume key shortcut," or for iPhone, within the "Accessibility Shortcut" settings (this is where you'd deselect VoiceOver from the triple-click side/home button action). Turn that shortcut permission OFF.
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Wouldn't that be nice? Like a universal mute button for unwanted time narration! Unfortunately, because Android phones come with so many different manufacturer customizations (Samsung's One UI, Xiaomi's MIUI, Google's Pixel Experience, etc.), and iOS has its own distinct structure, there isn't one single master switch that works across all devices for all scenarios. It's more about identifying which feature (accessibility, assistant, alarm, app, or even your smartwatch) is the talker on your specific device and then tweaking its particular settings, as we've walked through in the guide. As a tech reviewer, I can tell you, finding a setting on one phone can be a totally different journey on another – it keeps things interesting, that's for sure! That's why a systematic approach like the one in this guide is your best bet to find and silence the source.
