Change Default Reminder Time on iPhone Calendar
To change the default reminder time for events on your iPhone Calendar, go to Settings > Calendar > Default Alert Times and choose a preset like “At time of event,” “5 minutes before,” or “1 hour before.” This setting applies to new events you create, not to existing ones, and it only affects the built-in Calendar app, not third-party calendar apps.
Where the Default Reminder Comes From
When you add a new event in the Calendar app, it automatically gets a default alert (a notification) based on a system-wide setting. Apple designed this so you don’t have to set an alert for every single event manually. The default applies to events you create on the iPhone itself, and it also applies to events created on a connected iCloud or Exchange account, provided the server doesn’t override it.
If you never see a reminder on new events, it’s likely because the default is set to “None.” Many users first notice this when they add a meeting and later miss it because no notification appeared.
How to Change It (Step by Step)
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap Calendar.
- Tap Default Alert Times (on older iOS versions it may be labeled “Default Alerts”).
- You’ll see separate options for Birthdays, Events, and All-Day Events. Tap the one you want to change.
- Choose a preset time from the list, such as “At time of event,” “5 minutes before,” “15 minutes before,” “1 hour before,” “1 day before,” or “None.”
The change takes effect immediately for any new event you create after that moment. It does not retroactively modify events already on your calendar.
What Each Default Actually Does
Each preset corresponds to a fixed time interval before the event starts. Here’s what the common options mean:
- At time of event – The notification fires exactly when the event is scheduled to begin.
- 5 minutes before – Useful for quick meetings or calls.
- 15 minutes before – A common default for standard appointments.
- 1 hour before – Good for appointments that require travel time.
- 1 day before – Often used for all-day events like birthdays or deadlines.
- None – No alert is generated automatically.
Note that the “All-Day Events” section only affects events marked as all-day. For those, the available presets are usually “On day of event” (9 AM), “1 day before,” “2 days before,” and “1 week before.” The exact options can vary slightly depending on your iOS version.
Why Your Default Might Not Apply
Several factors can override your default alert time:
- Calendar type – If you’re using a corporate Exchange or Google Calendar account, the server may enforce its own default reminder policy. In that case, the iPhone setting is ignored.
- Event-specific alerts – If you manually set a custom alert on an individual event, that custom alert overrides the default for that event only.
- Invitations – Events you accept from others may have their own alert times set by the organizer.
- Third-party apps – Apps like Google Calendar or Outlook have their own separate default reminder settings inside their apps.
If your default appears to be ignored, check which calendar account the event belongs to. You can see the calendar name at the top of the event details screen.
How to Set a Custom Default That Isn’t Listed
The built-in presets are limited to the intervals Apple provides. You cannot type in a custom value like “20 minutes before” as the default. However, you can achieve a similar result by creating a new event and then manually tapping “Alert” in the event editor to choose a custom time. That works for individual events, but there’s no way to make a custom interval the system-wide default without a third-party app.
If you frequently need a non-standard reminder, consider using a third-party calendar app that offers more flexible default settings, such as Fantastical or Google Calendar. These apps let you set default reminders in minutes or hours of your choosing.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
One common mistake is expecting the default to apply to events you already created. It doesn’t. Another is thinking the default applies to all calendar accounts equally—it only applies to accounts that don’t have their own policy. Also, some users confuse “Default Alert Times” with “Default Calendar” (which sets which calendar new events are saved to). They are separate settings.
Another misconception: turning off notifications for the Calendar app in Settings > Notifications will not change the default alert time; it will simply prevent any alert from appearing. If you want alerts to work, make sure notifications are enabled for Calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the default reminder for all-day events?
Go to Settings > Calendar > Default Alert Times > All-Day Events and choose a preset like “On day of event” or “1 day before.” This only affects new all-day events.
Will changing the default affect events I already have?
No. The default only applies to events created after you change the setting. Existing events keep whatever alert they were created with.
Why is my default alert not working for Google Calendar events?
Google Calendar has its own default reminder settings that override the iPhone’s. Open the Google Calendar app, go to Settings > General > Default reminders, and set them there. Or use the Google Calendar website to change defaults for your account.
Can I set a default reminder of 10 minutes before?
Not with the built-in Calendar app. Apple only offers preset intervals. You can set a custom alert on each event individually, or use a third-party calendar app that allows custom defaults.
Does this setting sync to my Mac or iPad?
No. The default alert time is a per-device setting. You’ll need to set it separately on each iPhone, iPad, and Mac. On a Mac, the setting is in Calendar > Settings > Alerts.
What if I don’t see “Default Alert Times” in Settings?
This option exists on iOS 14 and later. If you’re on an older version, look for “Default Alerts” instead. If you still can’t find it, make sure you’re looking in the Calendar section, not the Mail or Contacts sections.
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