How to Set up Gmail Calendar to Text Message Appointment Reminders

Google’s Gmail product line is one of the most popular and feature-rich Internet-based email suites. The calendar feature allows busy parents, students and professionals to keep track of their appointments in a streamlined fashion. For those who need a mobile method of reminders, the Google Calendar can be set up to send text message appointment reminders to your mobile phone.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mobile phone, text enabled
• Gmail account

1. Log in to your Google Calendar. Create a new appointment by clicking on “Create Event.” This will be a test event to ensure that your SMS reminder service works. Fill out the event details, including the date, time, basic event information and location.

2. Confirm that your test event details are listed correctly. Click on “Save” to create this event and add it to your calendar.

3. Click on the down-arrow next to your name in the left-hand side menu bar. Select the “Notifications” option from the drop-down menu.

4. Click on “Set up your mobile phone to receive notifications.” Select your country, enter your mobile phone number and then select a carrier. Verify that you have entered the information correctly, and then click on the “Send Verification Code” button.

5. Check your mobile phone for the Google Calendar verification code, and enter it into the appropriate box on your Google Calendar mobile phone setup screen. Click on “Finish Setup.”

6. Choose your reminder options from the main Notifications screen. You will need to select “SMS” from the first drop-down menu, and then select the time notification in the next. You can select to be reminded about an event anywhere from five minutes prior to the event start to one week from the start date. Click on “Save” to confirm your settings.

7. Wait until the pre-set time comes to confirm that you have set up your text message appointment reminders correctly. For example, if your test appointment is set to being at 1 p.m., and you chose the default 10 minute reminder, you should check your mobile phone at 12:50. If the message doesn’t arrive, go back through the steps listed here to verify that you have completed them completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Standard text message rates apply. If you do not have an unlimited text message plan, you may want to monitor your usage of this Google Calendar feature.

Resources

• Google Calendar

[HandymanBob]

on 10/25/2008 Thanks Melissa! Any chance I can use this calendar system to notify my appointments the day before I am coming with an email or text message?