Tired of no-shows and late payments? Without timely reminders, customers can miss appointments or forget to pay on time. For businesses, this results in lost revenue and hassle for everyone involved.
The good news? Sending reminder text messages is a simple way to avoid these issues.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to send reminder texts using an iPhone, Android, Google Calendar, and other tools. We’ll also provide an even better alternative that your small businesses can start using today to text customers.
How to send a reminder text from your iPhone
If you have an iPhone, there are three apps you can use to send a reminder text. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Send a reminder text from your iPhone using the Shortcuts app
Shortcuts is a built-in iPhone app that lets you set up simple automations, like sending reminder texts. When it comes to texting, it only supports repeating messages on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. If you only want to send a one-time reminder, you’ll need to delete the automation afterward or use another texting app or service.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Shortcuts app to send a reminder text:
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Tap on Automation.
- Select the plus icon + on the top right-hand corner of the screen to create a new automation.
- Select Time of Day.
- Set the time you want to send the message.
- Choose how often you want the message to repeat (Daily, Weekly, or Monthly).
- If you want to double-check the message before it’s sent, ensure the Run After Confirmation setting is on.
- Tap Next in the top right-hand corner.
- Choose Send Message.
- Enter the message you want to send in the Message section.
- Click on Recipients and add the people you want to receive the message.
- Select Done.
- If necessary, delete the automation after the message is sent to avoid sending repeat reminder texts.
Before you can start sending reminder texts to US numbers, you’ll need to complete a quick registration called A2P 10DLC. It’s something mobile carriers require to help your messages get delivered reliably. Here’s our 10DLC registration guide for small businesses.
Send a reminder text from your iPhone using the Reminders app
The Reminders app on your iPhone doesn’t send texts for you. It only gives you a notification at the time you choose, so you’ll still need to open your Messages app and send the text yourself. This can be easy to miss if you’re busy or away from your phone.
If you’re looking for a personal reminder to send a message, here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Reminders app.
- Tap New Reminder.
- Write a title like “Send a reminder text to [Name of customer].”
- Tap Details.
- Set the date and time that you want to receive the reminder.
- You can also choose When Messaging and choose a contact from your address book.
- Select Add when you’re finished.
Remember, the Reminders app doesn’t automatically send text messages. You’ll still need to send the message yourself.
Send a reminder text from your iPhone using the Messages app
If your iPhone is running iOS 18 or later, you can schedule texts directly in the Messages app, but only when you’re texting another iMessage user. You can only schedule messages up to 14 days in advance, so it’s not a fit for reminders you want to plan further out.
If you need to schedule a quick message in the next two weeks, here’s how to do it with the Messages app:
- Go to the Messages app and tap the compose message icon on the top right-hand corner.
- Choose the contact and write your message.
- Click + on the left of the message box.
- Tap Send Later.
- Set the date and time you want the message to be sent. You can choose up to 14 days in advance.
- Select Send.
How to send a reminder text message from your Android device
There are a few ways to send event reminder texts and other recurring messages from an Android device. Each option has its strengths and limitations. Let’s explore them.
How to send a reminder text using Google Messages
Google Messages lets you schedule one-time messages, but it doesn’t support recurring texts. If you need to send the same reminder daily or weekly, you’ll have to schedule each one manually.
Here’s how to schedule a one-time message in Google Messages:
- Open the Messages app on your Android device.
- Write your message.
- Press and hold the Send button.
- Choose a preselected time or pick the date and time you want to send your message.
How to send a reminder text on Samsung phones using the Samsung Messages app
If you use a Samsung phone, you can use the Samsung Messages app to schedule messages. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Samsung Messages app.
- Choose the contact.
- Enter your reminder text.
- Tap + on the left side of the message box.
- Choose Schedule Message.
- Set the date and time you want to send the message.
- Click Done.
How to send a reminder text on an Android using the Google Calendar app
Google Calendar doesn’t have built-in SMS capabilities. You’ll need to connect with a third-party app to send a calendar invite via text. But you can add notifications to Google Calendar events.
These notifications will pop up on the recipient’s phone if they have notifications turned on.
Here’s how to add a notification:
- Open the Google Calendar app on your Android device.
- Click the + Create button to create a new event.
- Choose Event.
- Add a title, date, time, and who you’re inviting.
- Leave the default notification at 10 minutes or choose Add notification and select a different time (Minutes before, Hours, Days, or Weeks), then tap Done.
- Select Save.
How to send a reminder text using Quo
While iPhones, Androids, and calendar apps can help with basic reminder texts, they often fall short for small businesses, especially if you need to schedule one-time messages, send to non-iMessage users, or manage multiple conversations.
That’s where a business phone system like Quo comes in. You can easily manage all your call and text conversations while saving time messaging.
With Quo (formerly OpenPhone), you can schedule one-time or recurring reminder texts that go out automatically — no manual follow-up or extra steps needed. Messages can be sent to any number, and you can even cancel a scheduled message if the person replies before it’s sent.
Here’s how to send a reminder text using Quo’s browser or desktop app:
- Go to the conversation where you want to schedule a reminder text.
- Draft your message.
- Click on the Clock icon in the bottom right corner of the message box.
- Set the date, time zone, and time to send the message.
- You can also choose to automatically unschedule your message if the recipient messages you first.
How to send a reminder text from the Quo iOS or Android app
Let’s break down how to send a reminder text from the Quo app:
- Open Quo on your mobile device.
- Choose the contact.
- Enter your message.
- Tap on the Clock icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the message box.
- Set the date and time you want to send the message.
- Under Condition, decide if you want to cancel your message automatically if the recipient messages you first.
- Pick the appropriate time zone.
How to send a reminder text using Quo’s Zapier and Make integration
Integrations allow you to connect multiple apps together. Quo’s integrations with Zapier and Make can help you send reminder texts. Here’s a quick look at how you can use them:
Zapier
Zapier connects your CRM platform (like Zoho CRM) to Quo, so every time you book a meeting with a client, they’ll automatically receive a reminder text. It’s a great way to make sure people show up without having to think about sending the message yourself.
Here’s how it works: When you arrange a meeting with a customer and create a new event in Zoho CRM, Zapier tells Quo to send a personalized reminder text. Just set it up once and it runs quietly in the background, helping you stay organized and on time. Zapier can also unlock automatically sending texts to multiple people at once and more.
Make
Make gives you even more flexibility with custom workflows. You can connect Google Calendar to Quo and trigger reminder texts when an event is approaching. For example, a text can go out an hour before a meeting or the day before an event — whatever makes the most sense for your schedule.
Scenarios where small businesses send reminder texts to customers
Sending reminder texts to customers can help them remember important events and reduce no-shows. Here are some effective reminders small businesses use:
- Delivery services: Let customers know when their order is on the way and when to expect delivery so they have time to prepare. This type of reminder text is especially helpful for scheduled deliveries that require a signature or in-person handoff.
- Recruiting: Send interview reminders to keep candidates engaged and prevent last-minute cancellations. For example, you can send a reminder the day before or the morning of an interview to confirm they’re still attending.
- Real estate: In real estate, no-shows can derail your day. Reminder texts for property showings help confirm your client is still coming. If not, you can offer the time slot to someone else. They’re also great for last-minute details like gate codes or parking tips.
- Professional services: Plumbing, cleaning, and HVAC services send reminders to confirm appointments and ensure home or business owners are available when the service team arrives. This will help prevent your team from wasting time, fuel, and wages.
- Property managers: Payment reminder messages can help ensure renters pay on time and reduce missed or late rent payments.
4 reminder text message examples
We’ve created four ready-to-use text messages to remind your customers of an upcoming event.
1. Hotel reservation reminder text
When someone has made a reservation, an SMS template for a hotel can make the check-in process easier.
“Hi [Customer Name], we’re excited to welcome you to [Business Name] on [Date]. Check-in is available from 2 p.m. We hope you enjoy your stay!”
2. Appointment reminder text
This appointment reminder template can help reduce no-shows. It’s clear and concise and gives people an easy way to confirm, cancel, or reschedule on their own time.
“Hello [Customer Name]! We look forward to seeing you on [Date] at [Time]. If you need to cancel or reschedule, check our calendar for options here: [Booking Link].”
3. Rent due reminder text
Here’s a straightforward rent reminder template you can use:
“Hi [Customer Name]! Your rent is due on [Date]. Please ensure timely payment to avoid late fees. Thank you!”
4. Interview reminder text
Hiring managers can send interview reminder text messages to keep candidates informed and engaged throughout the hiring process. This quick text message can help confirm the details and shows you’re organized and respectful of their time.
“Hi [Customer Name]! We look forward to meeting you for your job interview at [Location] on [Date] at [Time]. If you have any questions, please let us know.”
Quo: The best way to send reminder texts
Sending reminder texts is a great way to engage customers and reduce no-shows. But manually sending these individual text messages is time-consuming.
That’s why Quo lets you automate reminder texts using scheduled messages and integrations with tools like Zapier and Make. You can automatically follow up on appointments or event sign-ups without sending each message yourself.
To save even more time, you can use text snippets (message templates) and SMS auto-replies for common questions or after-hours replies. And since Quo is a full business phone system, you also get features like shared inboxes, call recording, AI call summaries, and phone menus — so your team can keep up and work together more easily.
Explore all these features by signing up for a seven-day free trial with Quo (formerly OpenPhone).
FAQs
You can send images if you’re using your device’s messaging app, like iMessage, Google Messages, or Samsung Messages.
You can also send an image in your text message reminder if you’re using a business phone system like Quo. This allows you to include visual details like appointment info, directions, or product photos directly in your messages.
We’re biased, but we think the best app to send reminder texts for growing businesses is Quo.
With Quo (formerly OpenPhone), you can schedule reminders in advance to individual recipients based on their timezone, helping you stay TCPA compliant. You can also automate reminders to reach customers based on predefined conditions using our Zapier integration — no need to send messages manually.
If you’re looking for more than just reminders, Quo also gives you features like auto-replies, text snippets, and shared phone numbers so your whole team can pitch in. Try it free for seven days to see how it works.
Some of the benefits of sending reminder text messages include:
– Reduce missed appointments by reminding people when and where they need to show up.
– Keep customers engaged about the time of the event with helpful, timely messages.
– Ensures timely payments by nudging clients before due dates or renewal periods.
– Follow up with current and past customers to check in and encourage them to book again.
Here are some best practices for sending a reminder text:
– Keep it brief: Make your message short. Lengthy texts might be overwhelming.
– Provide relevant details: List what the recipient needs to know, like the date, time, location, or other information.
– Personalize the message: Add a personal touch by including the recipient’s name. It helps them stay engaged and ensures their satisfaction.
– Be positive: Maintain a warm tone when sending friendly reminders. It helps set a positive impression, especially when you’re asking for payment over text.
– Share at the right time: Send the reminder at an optimal time. You want to avoid reminding them too late or too early. Scheduling reminders is key to ensuring they receive them at the best time.
