How-to · Android

How to set reminders by voice on Android

There are three ways to tell an Android phone to remind you of something. Which one is right depends on whether you want to be signed in to Google, where you want the reminder stored, and how much you want to tap.

Updated November 9, 2026.

1. Google Assistant or Gemini

Say "Hey Google, remind me to call the dentist tomorrow at 9." On most phones this works from the lock screen, which is its big advantage: no unlocking, no tapping.

What it needs: a Google account signed in on the phone, and the assistant turned on. On newer phones Gemini has replaced Assistant, and reminders may go to Google Tasks or Calendar depending on your setup.
Where the reminder lives: in your Google account, synced to Google's servers.
Good for: people who already use Google for everything and want zero friction.
Catch: every reminder is part of your Google account, and the behaviour has changed a few times as Google moved from Assistant to Gemini.
If Gemini says it can't set reminders: it usually needs Keep Activity on and Google Workspace connected. Here's how to fix it.

2. Dictate into a notes or to-do app

Most notes apps have a microphone button on the keyboard. You dictate the text, then set the date and time by tapping through a picker.

What it needs: usually an account with that app, and sometimes a subscription for voice features.
Where the reminder lives: usually on that app's servers, synced.
Good for: people who already keep long lists in one app.
Catch: it's dictation, not understanding. "Tomorrow at 9" becomes the words "tomorrow at 9" in the note; you still set the time by hand.

3. A dedicated voice reminder app with no account

Open the app, tap the mic, and say "remind me to call the dentist tomorrow at 9." The app works out that it's a reminder, sets it for 9:00 tomorrow, and pings you then.

What it needs: nothing. SayStash has no account and no sign-up.
Where the reminder lives: on your phone. No cloud sync.
Good for: quick capture, privacy, and anyone who doesn't want one more subscription.
Catch: you unlock the phone and tap once. And like every voice app on Android, it uses the phone's speech recognizer for voice-to-text, which on most phones is Google's and may send audio to Google. Typed quick-add avoids that.

Phrases that work

Talk normally. These all set the right time in SayStash:

"Remind me to take the bins out tonight at 8"
"Call Mom tomorrow at 3"
"Dentist appointment next Friday at noon"
"In 20 minutes, move the laundry"
"Oil change on October 4th at 4:30"

Anything without a time ("Wi-Fi password is on the router") is filed as a note instead.

Make sure the reminder actually fires

Whichever route you pick, two Android settings matter:

Notifications allowed for the app (Settings → Apps → the app → Notifications).
Alarms & reminders permission, if the app offers exact timing. Without it Android may deliver the notification a few minutes late to save battery.

SayStash asks for notification permission the first time it needs it, and its Settings screen shows whether exact timing is on, with a button that opens the Android setting.

Try it

SayStash runs in your browser with no install or sign-up. On your phone, get it on Google Play. Free, with a one-time $4.99 purchase to remove ads.

Try SayStash in your browser Get it on Google Play