Do you want to set reminders on your iPhone or iPad? Luckily, iOS offers plenty of apps that have built-in alarms for this purpose. You can use Apple’s designated Reminders app, Siri, or even the Clock and Calendar apps. You’ll be able to set an alarm for each reminder and control how often you receive notifications. This guide will show you how to create a one-time or repeated reminder on your iPhone or iPad.

Before you start: Ensure your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest iOS version and has notifications enabled.

Ways to set a reminder on iPhone

This article outlines various methods to create reminders using your device’s built-in apps.

You Might Also Like
What is HDCP and how does it work?
What is HDCP and how does it work?
How to set up and activate the "sound effects" on your Xiaomi?
How to set up and activate the sound effects on your Xiaomi?
If you see "Operating system not found" error, here is how to fix it
If you see “Operating system not found” error, here is how to fix it
  • Open the Reminders app, tap the +, then enter your reminder details.
  • Use Siri to create a reminder for you in the Reminders app.
  • Make a new clock alarm to remind you to do something.
  • Use the calendar to make a new event that your iPhone can remind you of.

Using the Reminders app

  • Open the Reminders app. This looks like a list with three colored bullet points.
  • Tap the + icon in the bottom-right corner. This will add a reminder to your default Reminders list.
  • If you want to create a different list, tap the < button in the upper-left corner, tap the blue + in the lower-right corner, then create a new list. Tap the new list before continuing.
  • Tap the i button before typing anything. This will open a window with more spots for details.
  • Enter your reminder. Include the title and any additional notes.
  • Add reminder details. Here’s the additional details you can set:
    • Toggle on Date and use the pop-up calendar to select a date for your reminder.
    • Toggle on Time and scroll through the numbers to select a time for your reminder.
    • Tap Repeat and select: Daily, Weekdays, Weekends, other, or custom.
    • Tap Priority and select: None, Low, Medium, or High.
    • Toggle on Location to share your location. With this option, you’ll be able to assign a notification based on where you are. You must have your Location Services turned on.
  • Select a list for your reminder. If you decide to put your reminder in a different list, you can do so by tapping the List button and selecting a different one. If you only have one list, you won’t be able to add the reminder to any other lists.
  • Tap the check mark button in the upper-right corner. When a reminder has a set date and time, you’ll receive a push notification before, during, or after the task (if left uncompleted).
  • To enable push notifications, go to Settings → Notifications → Reminders → toggle on Allow Notifications and Time Sensitive Notifications.

Using Siri

  • Enable Siri. If your iPhone or iPad doesn’t have Siri, make sure to turn it on. To enable Siri, do the following:
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Siri & Search.
    • Toggle on Listen for “Hey Siri” and/or Press Side Button for Siri.
    • Tap Enable Siri.
  • Activate Siri. Depending on your settings, say, “Hey Siri” or hold the side button on your device. Siri will appear on your screen.
  • Ask Siri to set your reminder. Be as specific as possible. Some example requests include:
    • “Remind me tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. to call Mom.”
    • “Remind me to feed the cat every day at 8:00 a.m.”
    • Location-based reminders can look like: “Remind me to check the mail when I get home.” For location-based reminders, you’ll need to have your address added to My Card in the Contacts app and Location Services activated.
  • Edit the reminder, if needed. As soon as you tell Siri to create the reminder, it will be created. However, you may need to open the Reminders app and tap the i button next to the reminder to tweak its details.
  • Wait for the reminder to pop up. You’ll see a pop-up preview of the reminder. Tap Change if you need to edit the information, or tap anywhere on the screen to accept and dismiss the pop-up.

Using the Clock app

  • Open the Clock app. This looks like a white clock face with a black background.
  • Use this method to create a daily reminder with the iOS alarm clock.
  • Tap Alarm. This is the second tab at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap +. You can find this in the top-right corner.
  • Select a time. Use the scroll wheel to select the hour, minute, and AM/PM.
    • If your device uses 24-hour time, you won’t have to set an AM or PM option.
  • Set the alarm on repeat. Tap Repeat and select the days you want to repeat this reminder. Tap < Back when finished.
  • Set a label for your reminder. This can be anything you’d like, but it’s recommended to keep it short. Tap done on the keyboard when finished.
  • Set a sound for your reminder. By default, the alarm tone will be the Radar tone. If you want to change this, tap Sound. Select from the listed ringtones, or tap Pick a song to select a song from your library.
  • Tap Vibration to change the vibration type or create a custom one. Tap < Back when finished.
  • Toggle Snooze on or off. If you want the reminder to have a snooze option, toggle it on. Otherwise, the reminder will disappear after the first alert.
  • Tap Save. This will be in the top-right corner. You’ll see a list of your reminders on the Alarm page. Make sure it’s toggled on. If you want to delete a reminder, swipe left on the reminder and tap Delete.

Using the Calendar app

  • Open the Calendar app. This will have the current date as the app face.
  • Use this method to add a reminder as an event in your iOS calendar.
  • Tap +. You can find this at the top-right corner.
  • Enter the reminder title. Use the first field to enter a name for your reminder.
  • Set the time. Tap Starts and Ends to assign a date and timeframe for your reminder. Tap the date to adjust the date, and tap the time to adjust the time.
  • You can also toggle on All-day if your reminder will be needed the entire day.
  • Set the reminder on repeat. Tap Repeat and select: Never, Every Day, Every Week, Every 2 Weeks, Every Month, Every Year, or Custom.
  • Set an alert. By default, this will be set to None. Tap Alert and select when you’d like to be notified of the reminder. You can also add a second alert.
  • Tap Add in the top-right corner. The reminder will be added to your calendar. Depending on your settings, you’ll receive a notification of the reminder.
  • To make sure you have notifications enabled, go to Settings → Notifications → Reminders → toggle on Allow Notifications and Time Sensitive Notifications.

Pro tip: You can adjust the sound effect used by the Reminder app by opening Settings, tapping Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds), scrolling down and tapping Reminder Alerts, and selecting a sound.

Setting reminders on your iPhone or iPad is a straightforward process that can help you stay organized and on top of your tasks. Utilize the various apps available on your device for flexibility in how you manage your reminders. Whether you prefer typing out tasks, using voice commands with Siri, or scheduling them in your calendar, the options are user-friendly and effective.

By integrating reminders into your daily routine, you can enhance your productivity and ensure that important tasks are not overlooked. Explore each method to find which one works best for you and enjoy the convenience of never missing a deadline or important event.