7 apps for people who struggle to wake up in the morning for iPhones and Android devices

This can be particularly tough in the winter months when there is less light to help us wake naturally, and a cosy, warm bed can be hard to resist when it’s chilly outside.

We’ve gathered together our pick of the best apps for iOS and Android to help you rise and shine…

Good Morning Alarm Clock

iOS and Android, free

If you find you often wake without feeling rested, the Good Morning Alarm Clock can help as it cleverly wakes you during your natural waking phase using a playlist of your favourite songs. It also tracks the quality of your sleep and alerts you if you’re not getting enough shut-eye.

Download the app for iPhones and Android devices.

Struggle to get to sleep too? Read more:

• 11 tips for better sleep – how much sleep do we really need?
• Why can't I sleep? Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan shares her tips on our podcast
• Sleep well with 13 of the best apps for relaxation before bed on iOS and Android

 

Sunrise Alarm Clock

iOS and Android, £0.99

If you struggle with the lack of natural light to wake you in the winter months, try the Sunrise Alarm Clock app, which offers a gentle way to wake as it gradually turns up the brightness on your phone until you wake. Using your location to calculate sunrise, the alarm will wake you at first light or you can select the time manually. If this isn’t enough to rouse you from a deep slumber, then it plays relaxing nature sounds to help wake you.

Download the app for iPhones and Android devices.

Calm

iOS, Android and Desktop, starts at £7.99

Get your day off to a relaxed start with this guided mindfulness app by Calm. The app guides you through a simple meditation, focusing on breathing and positive thinking. If you have a busy day ahead, allow yourself a moment of calm focus before getting out of bed to get your day off to a good start. Alternatively, if you have trouble sleeping, listen to the nature sounds or sleep stories to help you drift off.

Download the app for iPhones and Android devices.

Dawn Chorus

iOS and Android, free

Even if you live in an urban area, nature lovers can enjoy a daily dose of birdsong with this chirpy app by Carnegie Museum of Natural History and The Innovation Studio. A more relaxing alternative to the beeping of your alarm clock, the Dawn Chorus app uses the calming sound of birdsong in the trees to wake you. It is possible to create a custom chorus and learn more about each species.

Download the app for iPhones and Android devices.

Easy Rise Alarm

iOS, Android, free or £5.99 for pro version

Ease yourself from a deep slumber to alert and ready to face the day with guided visualisation, stretching and breathing techniques, relaxing sound effects and inspiring music leaves you calm, refreshed and inspired for the day ahead.

Download the app for iPhones and Android devices.

Alarmy

iOS and Android, free

A slightly more energetic way to encourage you out of bed is Alarmy, which requires you to solve a puzzle or do an activity to turn it off, such as taking a photo of something in your home or solving a maths question. Hopefully, by the time you’ve cracked your mission, you’ll be wide awake.

Download the app for iPhones and Android devices.

CARROT Talking Alarm

iOS, £2.99

For a bit of fun, try the talking CARROT app, which will talk, play songs or entertain you until you wake up. Be warned though if you do fancy hitting snooze, CARROT gets a little annoyed and will start forcing you to do tasks and chores to turn off the alarm.

Download the app for iPhones.

Words by Carys Matthews. Photo by Vladislav Muslakov on Unsplash.