How to Set Up and Manage Google Reminders

Let’s face it—our brains weren’t built to juggle dozens of tasks, appointments, and goals all day long. That’s where Google Reminders come in. They’re simple, free, and synced across your devices. If you’ve ever thought, “I need to remember this later,” here’s how to actually make that happen with Google Reminders.

What Are Google Reminders?

Google Reminders are built into Google’s ecosystem—Google Calendar, Assistant, Keep, and even Gmail. When you create a reminder, it pops up at the time you set, across your devices. No extra app needed.

How to Set Up a Google Reminder

You’ve got a few options. Here’s how to do it on each platform:

1. Using Google Calendar (Desktop or Mobile)

Open Google Calendar.
Click the “+ Create” button or tap the “+” on mobile.
Choose “Reminder” (not “Event”).
Enter what you need to remember and when.
Hit Save.

Done. It’ll alert you at the time you chose.

2. Using Google Assistant

Just say it out loud:

“Hey Google, remind me to call Alex at 3 PM.”

Google Assistant confirms and creates the reminder instantly. This works on your phone, Nest speakers, smart displays—anywhere Google Assistant is active.

3. Using Google Keep

Open Google Keep or the mobile app.
Create a new note.
Tap the reminder bell icon.
Choose date, time, and even location.
Save.

Now that note is pinned with a reminder—great for checklists or ideas that need follow-up.

Managing Your Google Reminders

Need to see or change what you’ve set?

In Google Calendar:

Go to the Reminders calendar (on the left panel).
Click a reminder to edit or delete.
You can also mark it as done—it stays in the past for your reference.

In Google Assistant:

Say, “What are my reminders?”
You’ll get a list and options to cancel or change them.

In Google Keep:

Tap the note > Tap the bell > Adjust or delete the reminder.

Tips to Make the Most of Google Reminders

Be specific: “Remind me to email project update to Sarah at 10 AM tomorrow” beats “remind me: email.”
Use location-based reminders: “Remind me to grab milk when I get to Safeway.”
Recurring tasks: Need a weekly check-in? Set the reminder to repeat automatically.

A Note About Changes

Google is slowly merging Reminders into Google Tasks, especially within Calendar and Assistant. If you suddenly see your reminders becoming tasks, that’s part of the update. They work similarly, but Tasks allows for more organization (subtasks, lists, etc.).

Final Thoughts

Google Reminders are low effort, high payoff. Whether it’s remembering to call someone, take medication, or send a report, a 10-second voice command or a quick click can keep your day on track.

Use them smartly, and you’ll offload the mental clutter without dropping the ball.

Want a follow-up post on how to migrate to Google Tasks or how to use reminders for goal-setting and habit tracking? Let me know—I’ll write that next.