Set a reminder for one Google Calendar event

Before you begin

Different events require different preparation times. A nearby meeting may need a short reminder, while travel requires more notice. Customize one event's notification so that this specific need does not change the reminders for an entire calendar.

Check the account and calendar name before changing a schedule. Personal, family and work calendars can appear together even though their ownership and permissions differ. Compare the date, location and time with the actual invitation or agreement. For shared events, changing the event time and changing a reminder have different effects; settings on your phone do not automatically change every guest's preferences.

Follow these steps

Follow this sequence in the Android app.

1. Open the intended event and check its date and start time. Choose Edit on that event rather than the calendar's general settings if the change is needed for only this activity.
2. Choose Add notification and select when to receive the reminder. Base the interval on the preparation or travel actually required, not simply on the shortest suggested time in the list.
3. Review other reminders already attached to the event. Remove unnecessary ones so several closely spaced alerts do not encourage you to ignore the notification that really matters.
4. Save the change and reopen the event to inspect its reminder. If sound or vibration needs changing, check Settings, General and Calendar notifications together with the relevant device controls.

Check the result

Your reminder settings apply to your account; other guests use their own preferences. Changing a notification is not a substitute for telling participants that the meeting time has changed. Test reminders with a noncritical activity before depending on them for an important deadline.