How to Send Yourself a Reminder Text (5 Methods That Actually Work)
To send yourself a reminder text, the fastest method is YouGot: create a free account, type your reminder in plain English with a time, and it texts your phone automatically. Unlike manually scheduling a message, YouGot handles recurring reminders, natural language, and complex schedules without any extra setup.
Why Text Reminders Beat Push Notifications
Push notifications from reminder apps have a 20% open rate. Text messages have a 98% open rate — because they arrive in the same thread as messages from people you know.
When you send yourself a reminder text, it:
- Sits in your messages thread until you act on it
- Doesn't disappear when you dismiss it (unlike an alarm)
- Works even if the reminder app is closed
- Works on any phone, including basic handsets
Here are five methods, from simplest to most technical.
Method 1: YouGot (Easiest, Supports Recurring)
YouGot sends scheduled and recurring SMS reminders to your phone number. Type your reminder in natural language — it handles the scheduling.
Setup:
- Go to yougot.ai/sign-up
- Create a free account and add your phone number
- Type your reminder
Example reminders to send yourself:
Send me a text every Sunday at 6pm to prep my work clothes for the week.
Text me on the 15th of every month at 10am to pay my credit card bill.
YouGot parses the time, recurrence, and message automatically. Free tier includes scheduling and recurring reminders — see yougot.ai/#pricing.
Best for: Anyone who wants a no-fuss way to text themselves reminders on a schedule, including recurring ones.
Method 2: iPhone Shortcuts App (Native, Free, Complex)
Apple's Shortcuts app can automate sending iMessages at a specific time:
- Open the Shortcuts app
- Tap Automation → New Automation
- Set the trigger to a time of day
- Add action: Send Message → enter your own phone number as recipient → write the reminder text
- Disable "Ask Before Running"
Limitation: Each automation is a separate setup for a specific time. For recurring or variable reminders, you'd need a new automation for each one. Not suitable for complex scheduling.
Best for: One-time reminders if you're already in the Apple ecosystem and don't want a third-party app.
Method 3: Google Assistant / Siri Reminder-to-Text Workaround
Neither Google Assistant nor Siri can send yourself a future SMS natively — they can only set a reminder (which fires as a push notification). To send a text via voice:
- Google Assistant: "Hey Google, remind me to call the dentist tomorrow at 9am" — fires as a notification, not an SMS
- Siri: "Hey Siri, remind me to call the dentist tomorrow at 9am" — same
For actual SMS delivery, pair voice assistants with YouGot: say "Hey Google, open YouGot" and then type your reminder, or use YouGot's WhatsApp integration if you prefer messaging to type.
Method 4: Android Scheduled SMS (Carrier-Dependent)
On Android, the stock Messages app (Google Messages) supports scheduled messages:
- Open Messages
- Start a new message to yourself
- Long-press the send button → select Schedule send
- Choose the date and time
- Write your reminder and confirm
Limitation: Single-use only — it doesn't repeat. Also requires leaving the Messages app open and the device online at the scheduled time on some carriers.
Best for: One-off reminders when you're already in the Messages app and the time is simple.
Method 5: IFTTT Automation (Power Users)
IFTTT (If This Then That) can trigger SMS messages based on various conditions — time, location, calendar events. Requires setup time and a paid IFTTT tier for SMS actions.
Best for: Technical users who want complex trigger logic (e.g., "text me when I leave a specific location"). Not worth the overhead for simple timed reminders.
Comparison: Ways to Send Yourself a Reminder Text
| Method | Recurring Support | Natural Language | Setup Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouGot | Yes | Yes | 2 min | Free tier available |
| iPhone Shortcuts | No (manual per-reminder) | No | 10+ min | Free |
| Google/Siri | No (push only) | Yes | Instant | Free |
| Android Scheduled SMS | No | No | 2 min | Free |
| IFTTT | Yes | No | 30+ min | Paid |
When a Text Reminder to Yourself Is Better Than an App
For most day-to-day reminders, a text to yourself beats a to-do app for one reason: it arrives at you, rather than waiting for you to go looking for it.
Use a text reminder when:
- You need to act at a specific time and can't risk missing it
- The task is self-contained (one action, not part of a project)
- You want the reminder to work even if your reminder app isn't installed or open
Use a to-do app when:
- The task is part of a larger project with multiple steps
- You need to track completion history over time
- You're collaborating with others on the task
Explore more SMS reminder strategies at yougot.ai/blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send myself a reminder text for free?
YouGot's free plan lets you schedule SMS reminders to your own phone number. Type your reminder in natural language with a time, and it texts you automatically. No per-message fees. Free tier includes recurring reminders and basic scheduling.
Can I schedule a text message to myself on iPhone?
iMessage doesn't natively support scheduled messages to yourself. The Shortcuts app can automate this, but setup is complex and it doesn't support recurring reminders or natural language. YouGot is simpler for most people.
Why is texting myself a reminder better than setting a phone alarm?
An alarm stops when you dismiss it — dismiss it while busy and you forget the task. A text message stays in your thread, visible until you act. It doesn't require a specific action to dismiss, and it persists across phone restarts and app closures.
Can I send recurring text reminders to myself?
Yes, with YouGot. Set up a recurring SMS reminder once (daily, weekly, monthly, or custom) and it texts you automatically at each interval without re-scheduling. This works for habits, bills, medication, and any regular task.
What's the difference between sending a text reminder to myself versus using a to-do app?
A to-do app requires you to open it to see tasks. A text reminder arrives at the right moment without you needing to remember to check anything. Text reminders work better for time-sensitive actions; to-do apps work better for project management and task lists.
Never Forget What Matters
Set reminders in plain English (or any language). Get notified via push, SMS, WhatsApp, or email.
Try YouGot Free →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send myself a reminder text for free?▾
YouGot's free plan lets you schedule SMS reminders to your own phone number. Type your reminder in natural language with a time — 'remind me tomorrow at 9am to call the dentist' — and it texts you automatically. No per-message fees. Free tier includes recurring reminders and basic scheduling.
Can I schedule a text message to myself on iPhone?▾
iMessage doesn't natively support scheduled messages to yourself. You can use the Shortcuts app to create an automation that sends a message at a specific time, but this is complex to set up and doesn't support natural-language input. YouGot is simpler: type the reminder in plain English and it handles the rest.
Why is texting myself a reminder better than setting a phone alarm?▾
A phone alarm stops at the moment you dismiss it — if you're busy, you dismiss it and forget it. A text message sits in your message thread and can be referenced later. It also doesn't require a specific action to dismiss; it stays visible until you act. SMS reminders also work across phone restarts and app closures.
Can I send recurring text reminders to myself?▾
Yes, with YouGot. Set up a recurring SMS reminder once — daily, weekly, monthly, or on a custom schedule — and it texts you automatically at each interval. You don't have to re-schedule it every time. This works for habits, bills, medication, or any task that repeats on a regular cycle.
What's the difference between sending a text reminder to myself versus using a to-do app?▾
A to-do app requires you to open it to see your tasks. A text reminder arrives in your messages thread and interrupts you at the right moment — you don't have to remember to check anything. Text reminders work better for time-sensitive single actions; to-do apps work better for managing ongoing projects and task lists.