How to Set Recurring Reminders on iPhone: 3 Methods Compared

You can set recurring reminders on iPhone three ways: using the built-in Apple Reminders app, asking Siri, or using an SMS-based reminder service that delivers alerts as text messages. Each approach has meaningful trade-offs depending on whether you need reminders that work across different devices, don't require an app open, or need to reach multiple people.

Apple Reminders is free, built in, and works well for personal recurring tasks. SMS-based reminders work even when your phone is on Do Not Disturb, the battery is low, or you want to send the same reminder to someone else's non-iPhone. Here's exactly how to use each method.

Method 1: Apple Reminders App (Built-In)

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Open the Reminders app (built into iOS)
2. Tap + to create a new reminder
3. Type your reminder text
4. Tap the (i) info button to the right of the reminder
5. Under "Remind me on a day" — toggle On
6. Set your Date and Time
7. Tap Repeat and choose your recurrence:
   • Never / Daily / Weekdays / Weekends / Weekly / Biweekly / Monthly / Every 3 Months / Every 6 Months / Yearly / Custom
8. Tap Done

Custom Recurrence

For intervals Apple doesn't offer by default (every 2 weeks on a specific day, every 10 days, first Monday of each month):

1. In the Repeat screen, tap Custom
2. Set the frequency (Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Yearly) and interval (every 2 weeks, every 3 days, etc.)
3. For weekly recurrences, check specific days of the week

Siri Shortcut for Recurring Reminders

Skip the app entirely:

"Hey Siri, remind me every day at 8am to take my blood pressure medication." "Hey Siri, remind me every Monday at 9am to review my weekly goals." "Hey Siri, remind me every first of the month to pay my credit card bill."

Siri creates the reminder in the Reminders app. You can confirm the recurrence was set correctly by checking the app afterward.

Apple Reminders Limitations

• Notifications can be blocked by Focus/Do Not Disturb mode
• Requires your phone to be on and nearby
• Sharing requires the recipient to have an Apple ID
• Doesn't work across iPhone/Android households

Method 2: SMS Reminder Services (Works on Any Phone)

For reminders that must fire regardless of phone state, that need to reach non-iPhone users, or that you want to set via plain English without navigating menus:

YouGot lets you set recurring reminders by texting in natural language:

YouGot sends the reminder back as an SMS. It delivers even when:

• Your phone is on Do Not Disturb or Focus mode
• You're using an older iPhone without good app support
• You want the same reminder going to an Android user simultaneously

Method 3: Siri Shortcuts App (Advanced Automation)

For complex recurring automations ("every weekday at 7am, if I'm at home, send me a reminder to check the mail"):

1. Open the Shortcuts app
2. Tap Automation → + New Automation
3. Choose a trigger (Time of Day, Location, etc.)
4. Set the repeat interval
5. Add a Show Notification or Send Message action with your reminder text

This requires more setup but enables location-based and conditional recurrences.

Comparison Table: iPhone Recurring Reminder Methods

Feature	Apple Reminders	SMS (YouGot)	Siri Shortcuts
Setup time	2 minutes	30 seconds	5–10 minutes
Works on Do Not Disturb	No	Yes (SMS)	Partially
Reach non-iPhone users	No	Yes	No
Natural language input	Siri only	Yes	No
Custom intervals	Limited	Yes	Yes
No app required	No	Yes	No

Try These Recurring Reminders for iPhone Users

• Remind me every day at 8am to take my daily medication before breakfast.
• Remind me every Monday at 9am to review my goals and priorities for the week ahead.
• Remind me on the 1st of every month to check my bank statement and pay any outstanding bills.
• Remind me every Friday at 5pm to review what I accomplished this week and plan next week.
• Remind me every Sunday at 7pm to prepare my meals and outfit for Monday morning.

Which Method Should You Use?

Use Apple Reminders if: you only need personal reminders on your own iPhone, you prefer everything in one Apple ecosystem, and you don't need reminders during DND periods.

Use an SMS app like YouGot if: you need reminders that fire regardless of phone state, you want to send reminders to people with Android phones, or you prefer natural-language setup without tapping through menus.

Use Siri Shortcuts if: you need location-triggered or conditional automations that go beyond simple time-based recurrences.

For medication reminders, I switched from Apple Reminders to SMS after missing three doses because my phone was on Do Not Disturb during a meeting. The SMS arrives in my message thread and I see it when I check messages — even hours later.

For cross-platform recurring reminders, see YouGot and available plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set a recurring reminder in the Apple Reminders app?

Open Reminders, tap +, type your reminder, tap the (i) info icon. Under 'Remind me on a day,' toggle On, set date and time, then tap Repeat to choose Daily, Weekly, Biweekly, Monthly, or custom intervals. The reminder fires on schedule until you delete it.

Can I set a recurring reminder with Siri on iPhone?

Yes. Say: 'Hey Siri, remind me every day at 8am to take my medication' or 'Remind me every Monday at 9am to review my goals.' Siri creates the reminder in Apple Reminders with the recurrence specified. Confirm or edit the interval in the app afterward.

What is the difference between Apple Reminders and an SMS reminder app?

Apple Reminders requires your iPhone to be on and notifications to be enabled. SMS reminder apps deliver as text messages — they arrive even on Do Not Disturb, with low battery, or on older phones without internet. SMS reminders also work for recipients without iPhones.

How do I share recurring reminders with someone else on iPhone?

In Apple Reminders, share a list with iCloud users via the (i) icon. For non-iPhone users or people without iCloud, SMS reminders are more universal — YouGot sends to any phone number without requiring a specific device or account on the recipient's end.

Why does my recurring iPhone reminder sometimes not fire?

Common causes: Do Not Disturb or Focus mode blocking notifications, low battery mode, or the Reminders app lacking notification permissions. Check Settings > Focus and Settings > Notifications > Reminders. SMS reminders bypass these issues since they're delivered as text messages.