How to set birthday reminders on your phone

If you already use Google Calendar

Google Calendar can show birthdays saved in Google Contacts. Its Android app also lets you create a birthday event and add notifications. If this already works for you, you may not need another app.

1. On Android, open Google Calendar and choose Create, then Event.
2. Select Birthday, enter the name and date, and check the notifications.
3. Add an earlier notification if you want time to post a card, then save.

Google’s current Android instructions describe a reminder one week before and on the birthday, with the option to add others. Menus differ by device. Follow Google’s birthday-calendar instructions for your phone.

If you want a separate space for people

A calendar can work well for appointments. You might prefer birthdays, anniversaries and personal notes somewhere separate from work and daily obligations. Cherishly holds only the people and dates you choose.

• Add a name and date. You can leave the year unknown.
• Keep a short note for a message, card or gift idea.
• See what is coming up without searching through appointments.

The free plan holds up to ten people, with dates and notes. Plus includes phone alerts, email reminders, a three-week gift heads-up for suitable dates, and a calendar feed. Keeping in touch is optional, not something inferred from adding a birthday.

Check phone alerts before relying on them

In Cherishly, open Reminders and enable alerts on your lock screen. Notifications need a supported browser and your permission. On iPhone, add Cherishly to your home screen first, then open it from that icon to enable alerts. If the browser says it cannot show notifications, use another supported option instead.

For email, use the test email button in Settings and check the inbox and spam folder. A successful test email checks the email channel; it does not prove that every scheduled reminder or phone alert has been delivered.

You can keep using your calendar

Plus offers a calendar subscription. In Settings, choose Google, Apple, Outlook or another calendar. This is a feed of your Cherishly dates, not permission to read your calendar account. Check alerts in the calendar app you choose: adding a feed does not by itself guarantee phone notifications.

One small check to do today

Save the next birthday you want to remember. Check the date, choose how you want notice, and confirm the channel works. You can add the rest gradually.