How to Set Up Medication Reminders: Apple Health app on iPhone or iPad
This guide explains how to add a medicine, set a reminder schedule, and log doses using the Apple Health app. It can be used for medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
Before You Start
• Make sure your device is updated to a recent version of iOS or iPadOS.
• Have the medication name, strength, dose instructions, and the time it should be taken ready before you begin.
• Medication reminders are a helpful prompt, but they do not replace advice from a pharmacist, GP, prescriber, or other healthcare professional.
Step-by-Step: Add a Medication Reminder
1. Open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. On iPhone, tap Search. On iPad, open the sidebar if needed.
3. Tap Medications.
4. Tap Add a Medication or Add Medication.
5. Enter the medication name. If the medication is not listed, choose the option to add it manually.
6. Select the medication type, such as tablet, capsule, liquid, inhaler, cream, or injection.
7. Enter the strength or dose if prompted.
8. Set the schedule by choosing how often the medicine is taken, such as every day, specific days, every few days, or as needed.
9. Add the time of day the reminder should appear. If the medicine is taken more than once daily, add each time separately.
10. Choose the start date and, if appropriate, an end date.
11. Choose a shape and colour if you want the medication to be easier to recognise in the app.
12. Review the details carefully, then tap Done.
Turn On Reminder Options
1. In the Health app, go to Medications.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Options.
3. Turn on Follow Up Reminders if you want another reminder when a medication has not been logged after the scheduled time.
4. If available and appropriate, you can also turn on Critical Alerts for selected medications. Critical alerts can appear even when the phone is muted or a Focus mode is switched on.
Logging a Dose
• When a reminder appears, open it and choose whether the medication was Taken or Skipped.
• You can also open the Health app, go to Medications, and tap the medication to log it manually.
• If you use an Apple Watch, you may also be able to log medicines from the Medications app on the watch.
Change or Remove a Medication Reminder
1. Open the Health app and go to Medications.
2. Scroll to Your Medications and tap the medication you want to update.
3. Go to the schedule section and tap Edit.
4. Change the time, frequency, dose instructions, start date, or end date as needed.
5. To stop reminders for a medication, remove or archive the medication if it is no longer needed in the app.
Troubleshooting
• If reminders are not appearing, check that notifications are allowed for the Health app in your device settings.
• Check that the medication has a scheduled time and that the date range is correct.
• Make sure the device is switched on, has sufficient battery, and is not blocking notifications through Focus or notification settings.
• If the person is unsure about the medication schedule, they should check with their pharmacist, GP, prescriber, or care team before making changes.
