Table of Contents

How to Set Google Reminders: Your Comprehensive Guide

Setting Google Reminders is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to efficiently manage your tasks and stay on top of your schedule. You can set reminders through multiple avenues: Google Assistant, Google Calendar, or directly within other Google apps like Keep. Let’s break down each method:

Google Assistant (Voice or Text): The simplest method is through voice. Just say “Hey Google, remind me to [task] at [time]” or “Hey Google, remind me to [task] tomorrow at [time]”. Alternatively, you can type your request into the Google Assistant interface on your phone or smart speaker.
Google Calendar: Open Google Calendar (either the web version or the app). Click or tap on the desired date and time slot. Choose the “Reminder” option. Enter your reminder details, including the task and time. You can even set repeating reminders here.
Google Keep: Open Google Keep. Create a new note. Tap the “Remind me” icon (looks like a bell). Choose a pre-set time or date, or set a custom one. Your note will then transform into a reminder.

These core methods allow you to seamlessly integrate reminders into your daily routine, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. Now, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the nuances of Google Reminders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I set a location-based reminder with Google?

Location-based reminders are incredibly powerful, triggering an alert when you arrive at or leave a specific place. To set one:

Use Google Assistant. Say something like: “Hey Google, remind me to pick up milk when I get to the grocery store.”
The Assistant will prompt you to select a location from your saved places or search for a new one.
Confirm the location, and your reminder is set!

This is perfect for errands or tasks tied to specific locations. Note: Location-based reminders require location services to be enabled on your device and for Google to have access to your location data.

2. Can I set recurring reminders with Google?

Absolutely! Recurring reminders are essential for habits, bills, and regular tasks.

Use Google Calendar to set recurring reminders most effectively.
When creating a new reminder in Calendar, look for the “Does not repeat” option.
Click on it and choose from the pre-defined repeating options (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) or create a custom repeating schedule.
You can specify the days of the week, the day of the month, or even set a specific end date for the recurring reminder.

Google Assistant also supports some basic recurring reminders (e.g., “Hey Google, remind me to take my medicine every day at 8 AM”).

3. How do I view all my Google reminders in one place?

There are a couple of key places to see all your reminders:

Google Calendar: Reminders appear in your calendar alongside your events. You can filter your calendar view to only show reminders for a cleaner look.
Google Assistant: Ask Google Assistant “Show me my reminders” and it will display a list of your active reminders.
Google Keep: All your reminders set from Google Keep will be accessible right inside the Keep app.

It’s important to note that reminders created in one app will generally sync across all your Google services.

4. What happens when I complete a Google reminder?

When you complete a Google reminder, simply tap or click the “Mark as done” button next to the reminder in Google Calendar or Google Assistant. This will remove the reminder from your active list. For recurring reminders, marking one instance as done will only complete that specific occurrence, leaving the future reminders intact.

5. Can I share a Google reminder with someone else?

Currently, Google Reminders do not have a direct sharing feature like Google Calendar events. However, you can indirectly share a reminder by:

Creating a shared Google Calendar: Add the reminder to a shared calendar. Anyone with access to the calendar will see the reminder.
Using Google Tasks: Create a task within Google Tasks and share the task list with others. While not technically a reminder, it serves a similar purpose.
Communicating the reminder: Simply verbally or electronically communicate the reminder details to the person.

6. How do I delete a Google reminder?

Deleting a Google reminder is as easy as completing it.

Google Calendar: Find the reminder in your calendar, click on it, and then click the “Delete” icon (usually a trash can).
Google Assistant: Ask Google Assistant to “Delete my reminder to [task]” or “Remove my reminder to [task]”.
Google Keep: Open the note with the reminder. Tap the reminder bell icon and then tap “Remove reminder”.

For recurring reminders, you will typically be asked whether you want to delete only the current instance or the entire series.

7. Why are my Google reminders not showing up?

If your Google reminders are MIA, consider these troubleshooting steps:

Check your Google account: Ensure you’re logged into the correct Google account across all devices and apps.
Sync settings: Verify that calendar sync is enabled in your Google account settings on your phone.
Calendar visibility: In Google Calendar, check that the “Reminders” calendar is checked in the calendar list, making it visible.
Notifications: Confirm that notifications are enabled for Google Calendar and Google Assistant.
App permissions: Ensure that Google Calendar and Google Assistant have the necessary permissions, especially location access for location-based reminders.

8. Can I customize the notification sound for Google reminders?

The ability to customize notification sounds for Google Reminders is generally limited and depends on your device and operating system.

Android: You can often customize notification sounds for Google Calendar through your device’s settings. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Calendar > Notifications and adjust the sound settings.
iOS: iOS offers less granular control. You might be able to change the default notification sound for all Calendar notifications, but not specifically for reminders.

Keep in mind that third-party apps might offer more advanced notification customization.

9. What’s the difference between Google Reminders and Google Tasks?

While both serve the purpose of managing to-dos, they have distinct differences:

Google Reminders: Primarily time or location-based alerts. They are integrated directly into Google Calendar and are often used for quick, simple reminders.
Google Tasks: A more robust task management system. Tasks can have subtasks, due dates, and can be organized into lists. They are better suited for complex projects and ongoing tasks.

Think of Reminders as a quick note to jog your memory, and Tasks as a detailed to-do list.

10. Do Google reminders work offline?

Yes, to some extent. Google Reminders will generally work offline if they are already synced to your device. You can view existing reminders and mark them as complete. However, setting new reminders or modifying existing ones might require an internet connection to sync across your devices.

11. How do I set Google reminders on my computer?

Setting reminders on your computer is almost identical to setting them on your phone. Use either Google Calendar or Google Assistant web interface.

Google Calendar: Open Google Calendar in your browser. Click on a time slot, select “Reminder,” and enter the details.
Google Assistant: Open the Google Assistant website or the Assistant app on your computer (if available) and type or speak your reminder command.

12. Are Google Reminders available on all devices?

Google Reminders are designed to be accessible across various devices where you are logged into your Google account, including:

Android phones and tablets
iPhones and iPads
Computers (through Google Calendar and Google Assistant)
Google Home devices and other smart speakers
Smartwatches with Google Assistant integration

This cross-platform availability makes Google Reminders a powerful tool for managing your schedule regardless of the device you are using.