How to Get SMS Reminders for Google Calendar Events
If you're tired of missing important events because of Google Calendar notifications that can easily be blocked or disrupted, there is a solution: setting up SMS reminders for Google Calendar events. This provides an additional option for receiving notifications, even if you don't have a stable internet connection or if you want to notify someone who doesn't use Google Calendar. Although the reliable options are paid, most of them offer a free trial or money-back guarantee. Here's how you can set up SMS reminders for your Google Calendar events.
SMS Reminder
SMS Reminder is a Google Workplace add-on that allows you to manually send text messages for specific events that you don't want to miss. This means you won't be bombarded with messages for all your Google Calendar events. The pricing options for SMS Reminder range from $19/month to $49/month, depending on the number of users and messages.
To set up SMS reminders using SMS Reminder:
- Install the SMS Reminder add-on from the Google Workspace marketplace.
- Open the Google Calendar web app and select the event you want to set a reminder for or create a new event.
- Click on the SMS Reminder icon in the sidebar.
- Enter the product key that you have purchased.
- Add a reminder time, country code, phone number, your name, and the reminder message.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Ability to add multiple numbers
Cons:
- Expensive plans with limited messages
- No free trial, but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
Text Reminders
Text Reminders is another Google Workspace add-on that offers a free trial allowing 10 text messages. Unlike SMS Reminder, Text Reminders can automatically create reminders by using the #phonenumber
command in the event title.
To set up text reminders using Text Reminders:
- Install the Text Reminders add-on from the Google Workspace platform.
- Open the event or create a new one in Google Calendar.
- Click on the add-on icon in the sidebar.
- Enter all the details needed for the reminder, including the message itself.
Pros:
- Can create reminders automatically with the
#phonenumber
command - Free trial without a need for payment
Cons:
- The message only shows the title and time, without any additional details
SMS Appointment Reminders
SMS Appointment Reminders offers the most seamless experience for setting up automatic reminders. You can simply create an event with %phonenumber
(without including the country code) to set automatic reminders. It works for all events, including recurring ones. If you make any changes to the event later, the app will automatically update the reminders.
To set up SMS appointment reminders:
- Install the SMS Appointment Reminders add-on from the Google Workspace Platform.
- Open Google Calendar and create/edit an event with
%phonenumber
in the title. - The reminder should be ready, but you can make manual changes if needed.
Pros:
- Ability to set up reminders automatically by adding
%phonenumber
in the title - Ability to add multiple numbers
Cons:
- Free trial only available after adding card details
IFTTT
You can also use IFTTT to create SMS reminders for free. However, it may not always work reliably and could cause delays in sending notifications. But there is a workaround for this issue.
IFTTT allows you to create applets that connect services/apps, allowing them to communicate and execute actions based on set parameters. Setting up IFTTT requires a bit more effort compared to the other options on this list.
To set up SMS reminders using IFTTT:
- Open the IFTTT website and click on the “Create” button at the top right corner.
- Click on the “IF This” button.
- Search for Google Calendar and select “Any event starts” as the trigger.
- Select the calendar event and set the time to send a notification before the event starts. It's recommended to choose a notification time of 15 or 30 minutes in advance. Click “Create Trigger” when done.
- Select the “Then That” button and click on “Android SMS”.
- Click on “Send an SMS”.
- Enter the phone number you want to receive the SMS on and click “Create Action”.
- Finally, click “Continue” and then “Finish” to activate the applet.
It's a good idea to test the applet before relying on it for important Google Calendar event reminders.
Setting up SMS reminders for your Google Calendar events is a great way to ensure that you never miss an important appointment or deadline. While Google Calendar itself is a reliable option, adding SMS reminders provides an extra layer of notification. Choose one of the add-ons or IFTTT that best suits your needs and enjoy the benefits of SMS reminders for Google Calendar.
Also read:
- 7 Best Google Calendar Add-Ons to Manage Time Better (2020)
- How to Get Google Calendar Events on Your Android Home Screen

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”