Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 6
    Health & Wellness Tech
    Beginner
    3 min read 6 stepsMay 5, 2026Verified May 2026

    Set Up Medication Reminders on iPhone (Built-In, Free)

    iPhone's Health app has a free Medications feature that reminds you to take pills, tracks your history, and warns about interactions.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Health & Wellness Tech
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    medications
    iphone
    health
    reminders
    apple
    seniors

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Open the Health app and find Medications
    2. 2.Enter each medication
    3. 3.Turn on reminders
    4. 4.Check for interactions
    5. 5.Share your medication list with family or doctor
    6. 6.For older iPhones: use the Reminders app instead
    1

    Open the Health app and find Medications

    ~15s
    On any iPhone, the Health app is pre-installed (white icon with a red heart). Open it. Tap "Browse" at the bottom. Scroll down and tap "Medications." Tap "Add Medication."
    2

    Enter each medication

    ~28s
    Type the medication name (the iPhone offers a list as you type). Pick the form (tablet, capsule, liquid, inhaler), strength (like 10 mg), and the dosage you take (one pill, two pills). Set the schedule — daily at 8 AM, twice a day, or "as needed." You can add a photo of what the pill looks like.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Add medications one at a time. Even over-the-counter ones like aspirin or vitamin D are worth adding — the Health app warns of interactions across the whole list.

    3

    Turn on reminders

    ~15s
    After adding a medication, tap "Add Reminders" to schedule notifications. The iPhone reminds you at each dose time. You can mark the reminder as "Taken" to log it, or "Skip" if you missed a dose. Either way, the Health app records what happened.
    4

    Check for interactions

    ~15s
    After adding two or more medications, tap "Interactions" in the Medications screen. The iPhone shows any known interactions or warnings. This is a starting point — always discuss interactions with your doctor or pharmacist — but it can highlight issues to ask about.
    5

    Share your medication list with family or doctor

    ~18s
    In HealthSharing, you can share medication info with a family member who also has an iPhone. They see your list, your schedule, and whether you have been taking your medications on time. For doctors, tap a medication, then "Share Medication" to email or print a summary.
    6

    For older iPhones: use the Reminders app instead

    ~22s
    If your iPhone is too old for the Medications feature, the built-in Reminders app works as an alternative. Open Reminders, tap +, type "Take morning pills" or any medication name, tap the (i) icon, and set a daily repeating time. The reminder appears on your lock screen at that time every day. Less rich than the Health app, but free and reliable.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: Set Up Medication Reminders on iPhone (Built-In, Free)

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    iPhone's Health app includes a free Medications feature that reminds you when to take each pill, lets you log doses you have taken, tracks your history over time, and warns you about possible interactions between medications. It is private — Apple does not see your data — and works without a subscription or extra app.

    You enter each medication once (name, dosage, schedule, and what it looks like). The iPhone sends a notification at each dose time. You tap to confirm you took it. The Health app then saves the history, which you can show your doctor at your next appointment.

    The Medications feature works on iPhone running iOS 17 or later. Older iPhones can use the Reminders app for a simpler version.

    (Sources: Apple Support — Medications in Health, support.apple.com/HT213355; FDA Drug Information, fda.gov/drugs)

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    medications
    iphone
    health
    reminders
    apple
    seniors

    Official Resources

    Medicare.govMedlinePlus — Health InfoAARP Health & Technology

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Use Uber or Lyft for the First Time

    Next →

    Use Google Translate to Translate Anything with Your Phone Camera

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    How to Use Your Doctor's Patient Portal (MyChart & Others)

    Access your medical records, message your doctor, view test results, and schedule appointments — all online.

    2 min read

    How to Set Up and Use a Fitness Tracker (Fitbit, Apple Watch)

    Track your steps, heart rate, sleep, and exercise with a wearable fitness device — setup to daily use.

    2 min read

    Managing Your Health Records Online: A Complete Guide

    Keep all your medical information organized and accessible — prescriptions, records, insurance, and emergency contacts.

    2 min read