Samsung Calendar reminders notify you before an event starts
Samsung Calendar comes built into most Samsung phones and tablets. When you create an event, you can set one or more reminders that will alert you at a time you choose — minutes, hours, or days before the event begins. The reminder appears as a notification on your device, and you can customize how far in advance you want to be notified.
Reminders work whether the event is on your phone's calendar, synced from Google Calendar, or pulled from another calendar service connected to your Samsung account. Once you set a reminder, Samsung Calendar handles the timing automatically — you do not have to manually check the app.
Key Takeaways
- Open an event in Samsung Calendar and tap the bell icon or "Notification" field to add a reminder at any interval from 5 minutes to 2 weeks before the event.
- You can set multiple reminders for a single event so you get alerted at different times — for example, one week before and one day before.
- Reminders appear as notifications on your lock screen and in your notification panel, and you can dismiss them or snooze them for later.
- If reminders are not showing up, check that notifications are turned on for the Samsung Calendar app in your device settings.
How to add a reminder when creating a new event
Open Samsung Calendar and tap the + button to create a new event. Fill in the event title, date, and time. Scroll down until you see the Notification field — this is where reminders are set.
Tap the Notification field. A menu will appear with preset options: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks before the event. Select the interval that works for you. If you want a reminder at a time not listed, tap Custom to enter your own number of minutes or hours.
After you choose your reminder time, tap the checkmark or Save button to create the event. The reminder is now active and will trigger at the time you set.
How to add or change a reminder on an existing event
Open Samsung Calendar and find the event you want to edit. Tap on the event to open its details. Tap the Edit button (usually a pencil icon) to open the event editor.
Scroll to the Notification field. If no reminder is set, you will see None or a bell icon with a line through it. Tap that field to add a reminder using the same menu described above. If a reminder is already set, tap the field to change it to a different time.
Save your changes by tapping the checkmark or Save button. The updated reminder will take effect when ready.
Setting multiple reminders for one event
Samsung Calendar allows you to add more than one reminder per event. This is useful if you want an early warning — say, one week out — and a last-minute alert the day before.
When editing an event, look for an option to Add another notification or a + button next to the Notification field. Tap it to add a second reminder. Set the time for this second reminder, then save. You can repeat this to add a third or fourth reminder if needed.
Each reminder will trigger at its own time, and you will receive separate notifications for each one.
What happens when a reminder triggers
When a reminder time arrives, Samsung Calendar sends a notification to your device. On your lock screen, you will see the event title and a brief description. In your notification panel (swipe down from the top of the screen), the reminder appears as an alert you can tap to open the event details.
You can dismiss the notification by swiping it away, or tap Snooze to be reminded again in 5 or 10 minutes. If you tap the notification itself, it opens the event in Samsung Calendar so you can see the full details, location, or description.
Troubleshooting reminders that are not working
If you are not seeing reminders even though you set them, the most common cause is that notifications are turned off for Samsung Calendar in your device settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Samsung Calendar > Notifications and make sure the toggle is turned On. You may also need to allow notifications for the specific calendar (Google Calendar, Samsung account, or local calendar) within the app itself.
Another reason reminders may not appear is if your device is in Do Not Disturb mode. Check your quick settings panel (swipe down twice from the top) and turn off Do Not Disturb if it is active. Reminders will still trigger, but they may be silent or appear only in your notification panel without a sound or vibration.
If you synced an event from another calendar app and the reminder is not showing, try opening the event in Samsung Calendar and re-adding the reminder. Some calendar services do not sync reminder settings perfectly, so setting it again in Samsung Calendar ensures it will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a reminder for a recurring event?
Yes. When you edit a recurring event and change the reminder, Samsung Calendar will ask whether you want to explore the change to this event only or to all events in the series. Choose the option that fits your needs, and the reminder will be set accordingly.
What is the earliest reminder I can set?
The earliest preset reminder is 5 minutes before the event. If you need an earlier alert, tap Custom when setting the notification and enter a larger number — you can set reminders up to 2 weeks in advance.
Do reminders work if I close the Samsung Calendar app?
Yes. Reminders are handled by your device's system, not by the app itself, so they will trigger even if Samsung Calendar is closed. As long as notifications are turned on for the app in your device settings, you will receive the alert.
Can I turn off all reminders without deleting events?
Yes. Edit the event and change the Notification field to None. The event stays on your calendar, but no reminder will trigger. You can turn reminders back on anytime by editing the event again.
Will reminders sync across my devices?
If your events are synced through your Samsung account or Google account, the reminders you set will appear on all devices signed into that account. Reminders set on local calendars (stored only on your phone) will not sync to other devices.