How to set medication reminders on iPhone

Option 1: The Health app

1. Open the Health app and tap Browse (or Search), then Medications.
2. Tap Add Medication and follow the steps to enter the name, type and schedule.
3. To be reminded again if you forget, scroll down to Options and turn on Follow Up Reminders.
4. To hear reminders when the iPhone is muted or in a Focus, tap Critical Alerts in Options and turn them on for your medications.

The Health app is free and built in. Reminders arrive as notifications.

Option 2: A pill reminder app that rings like an alarm

Medind uses Apple's alarm system on iOS 26. A reminder fills the screen and rings like the Clock app's alarm, with a large Taken button and snooze. It rings through silent mode and Focus.

1. Install Medind and add your medication by name, with a photo if you like.
2. Choose the times, days or every few hours.
3. Allow alarms when Medind asks.
4. When it rings, tap Taken. Medind saves the time.

Option 3: Clock app alarms

You can set an ordinary alarm in the Clock app and name it after your medication. It rings on silent, but it does not keep a record of what you took.

Why do reminders not ring on silent?

Normal notifications follow the ring/silent switch and Focus. Only alarms and critical alerts break through. If you rely on reminders, use one of those.

Check your reminders work

• Set a test reminder two minutes from now and put the phone on silent.
• In iPhone Settings, check that notifications and alarms are allowed for the app you use.
• Check the volume in Settings › Sounds, because alarms use the ringer volume.

Last updated: 2026-11-09