Introduction
In today’s busy life, it’s easy to forget important tasks, meetings, birthdays, or deadlines. We often rely on our memory, sticky notes, or alarms, but those methods don’t always work. This is where Google Calendar reminders become extremely useful.
Google Calendar allows you to set reminders that notify you exactly when you need them. Whether it’s a work deadline, a personal task, a doctor’s appointment, or a simple daily habit, reminders help you stay organized and stress-free.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to set reminders in Google Calendar step by step, how reminders work, how they differ from events, how to edit or delete them, and best practices to use reminders effectively. This article is written in simple, natural, human-friendly language, making it easy for anyone to follow.
What Are Reminders in Google Calendar?
A reminder in Google Calendar is a notification that alerts you about a task or activity at a specific time. Unlike events, reminders are usually meant for personal tasks rather than scheduled meetings.
Examples of reminders:
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Pay electricity bill
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Call a client
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Take medicine
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Submit assignment
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Water plants
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Exercise reminder
Reminders appear in your calendar and send alerts so you don’t forget important things.
Difference Between Reminders and Events
Many users confuse reminders with events. Here’s a simple comparison:
Reminders
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Best for personal tasks
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Can be marked as “Done”
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Usually don’t need a fixed duration
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Great for daily habits
Events
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Best for meetings and appointments
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Have start and end times
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Can invite guests
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Cannot be marked as “Done”
Understanding this difference helps you use Google Calendar more efficiently.
Why Use Google Calendar Reminders?
Google Calendar reminders offer several benefits:
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Never forget important tasks
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Automatic notifications on phone and email
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Sync across all devices
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Easy to create and manage
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Helps build routines and habits
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Reduces stress and mental load
Once you start using reminders regularly, you’ll notice a big improvement in time management.
How to Set Reminders in Google Calendar on Desktop
Let’s start with the desktop version.
Step 1: Open Google Calendar
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Open your web browser
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Go to Google Calendar
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Sign in with your Google account
You’ll see your calendar view (day, week, or month).
Step 2: Click on a Date
Click on the date when you want to set the reminder.
A small pop-up box will appear.
Step 3: Select “Reminder”
In the pop-up:
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Choose Reminder (instead of Event)
If you don’t see it directly, click More options and select Reminder.
Step 4: Add Reminder Title
Type a short, clear title such as:
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“Pay Internet Bill”
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“Call Mom”
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“Project Follow-Up”
Clear titles make reminders easy to understand later.
Step 5: Set Date and Time
Choose:
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Reminder date
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Reminder time
You can also:
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Set it as an all-day reminder for general tasks
Step 6: Choose Notification Type
Google Calendar allows:
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Notification alerts
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Email reminders
You can select what works best for you.
Step 7: Save the Reminder
Click Save.
Your reminder is now active and will notify you at the scheduled time.
How to Set Reminders in Google Calendar on Mobile App
Setting reminders on your phone is quick and convenient.
Step 1: Open Google Calendar App
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Install Google Calendar from Play Store or App Store
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Open the app and sign in
Step 2: Tap the “+” Icon
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Tap the plus (+) button
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Select Reminder
Step 3: Enter Reminder Details
Add:
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Reminder title
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Date
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Time
You can also:
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Set repeating reminders
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Choose notification preferences
Step 4: Save the Reminder
Tap Save.
The reminder will sync automatically across all your devices.
How to Create Repeating Reminders
Repeating reminders are perfect for daily or weekly tasks.
Examples:
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Take medicine daily
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Weekly team check-in
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Monthly bill payment
Steps:
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Create a reminder
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Select Does not repeat
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Choose:
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Daily
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Weekly
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Monthly
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Custom
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Repeating reminders help build consistency and routines.
How to Edit a Reminder in Google Calendar
If you need to make changes, editing is easy.
Steps:
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Click on the reminder
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Select the Edit (pencil) icon
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Update title, time, or date
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Click Save
Your changes will update instantly.
How to Mark a Reminder as Done
Once you complete a task:
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Click on the reminder
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Select Mark as done
Completed reminders disappear from your active list, helping you track progress and stay organized.
How to Delete a Reminder
If you no longer need a reminder:
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Click on the reminder
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Select Delete
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Confirm deletion
For repeating reminders, Google will ask whether you want to delete:
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One reminder
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All future reminders
Choose carefully.
How Google Assistant Helps with Reminders
Google Assistant makes reminders even easier.
You can say:
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“Hey Google, remind me to submit the report at 5 PM”
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“Set a reminder to drink water every hour”
Google Assistant automatically adds the reminder to your calendar.
Common Problems with Google Calendar Reminders
Sometimes reminders don’t work as expected. Common issues include:
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Notifications turned off
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Wrong time zone
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App not synced
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Battery optimization blocking alerts
Fixes:
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Enable notifications in app settings
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Check time zone settings
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Allow background activity
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Keep Google Calendar updated
Best Practices for Using Reminders Effectively
To get the most out of reminders:
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Use clear and short titles
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Set reminders slightly earlier than needed
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Avoid setting too many reminders
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Use repeating reminders for habits
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Review reminders daily
Simple habits can greatly improve productivity.
When Should You Use Reminders Instead of Events?
Use reminders when:
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No guests are involved
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No fixed duration is needed
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It’s a personal task
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You want to mark it as completed
For meetings or appointments, events work better.
Benefits of Using Google Calendar Reminders Daily
Using reminders consistently can help you:
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Stay focused
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Avoid missing deadlines
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Reduce anxiety
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Improve work-life balance
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Build better routines
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Increase productivity
Over time, reminders become your digital personal assistant.
Final Thoughts (Conclusion)
Setting reminders in Google Calendar is one of the easiest and smartest ways to manage daily tasks and responsibilities. Whether it’s a small personal task or an important deadline, reminders ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.
By using reminders properly—setting clear titles, choosing the right time, and marking tasks as done—you can turn Google Calendar into a powerful organization tool. It helps you stay on track, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters.
If you’re not already using Google Calendar reminders regularly, start today. A few simple reminders can make a big difference in how smoothly your day runs.