How to Set Up Alexa Medication Reminders — Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Open the Alexa app on your phone

   Find the Alexa app — it has a dark blue icon with a small circle at the center. Tap it to open. If you do not have it, search for "Amazon Alexa" in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and download it for free.

   Tip: Make sure you sign in with the same Amazon account you used when you set up your Echo device.

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2. 2

   Tap More in the bottom menu

   Look at the very bottom of your screen. You will see a row of icons — Home, Play, Shop, and More. Tap More, which has three horizontal lines. A list of options will appear.

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3. 3

   Tap Reminders

   Scroll through the list and tap Reminders. This opens the Reminders screen, which shows all the reminders you have already set up — or a blank screen if this is your first one.

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4. 4

   Tap Add Reminder

   In the top-right corner of the screen, tap Add Reminder. On some phones this appears as a plus (+) sign. A new screen will open where you set the details of your reminder.

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5. 5

   Type what you want Alexa to say

   In the text field at the top, type the message Alexa will read aloud — for example: Time to take your morning medication or Take your blood pressure pill with water. Be as specific as you like — Alexa will read exactly what you type.

   Tip: Using the medication name in the reminder (for example, Time to take your metformin) can help reduce confusion if you take multiple medications at different times.

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6. 6

   Set the time and repeat schedule

   Tap the Date & Time field and set the time you want the reminder to go off. Then tap Repeat and choose how often: Every Day, Weekdays, Weekends, or specific days of the week. For daily medication, choose Every Day.

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7. 7

   Choose your device and tap Save

   Tap the Device field and select the Echo speaker or Echo Show in the room where you take your medication. Then tap Save in the top-right corner. Alexa will confirm the reminder is set, and it will play at the scheduled time every day.

   Tip: If you have an Echo Show in the bedroom and an Echo Dot in the kitchen, choose the one in whichever room you are most likely to be in at that time of day.

If It's Not Working — Common Fixes

• The reminder went off but I didn't hear it

  Check that your Echo device is not muted — the ring on the top should not be red. Press the microphone button to unmute it. Also check that the volume is turned up by saying "Alexa, set volume to 8."

• I can't find the Reminders option in the app

  The Alexa app occasionally updates its layout. Try tapping More at the bottom, then look for Reminders & Alarms instead of just Reminders. If still not visible, update the Alexa app from the App Store or Google Play and try again.

• Alexa said the reminder is set but it didn't go off

  Confirm the reminder is saved by going back to More → Reminders and checking it appears in the list. Also make sure your Echo device is connected to Wi-Fi — say "Alexa, are you connected to the internet?" to check.

• I want to change or delete a reminder I already set

  Open the Alexa app, tap More → Reminders, and tap the reminder you want to change. You can edit the time, message, or repeat schedule, or swipe left to delete it. You can also say "Alexa, cancel my 8am reminder."

Recommended for Echo Device Users

Common Questions

• Can I set up a medication reminder by talking to Alexa instead of using the app?

  Yes. Say: "Alexa, remind me to take my blood pressure pill every day at 8am." Alexa will confirm the reminder. Voice setup is faster, but the app gives you more control over which device announces it and the exact wording.

• Will Alexa keep reminding me if I miss the notification?

  By default, Alexa announces the reminder once and stops. If you have an Echo Show, the reminder also appears as an on-screen notification. To make missing it less likely, consider setting the reminder a few minutes before you actually need to take the medication — or set two reminders, five minutes apart.

• How many medication reminders can I set on one Echo device?

  There is no limit. You can set separate reminders for a morning pill, an evening pill, a midday dose — as many as you need. Each reminder can have its own message, time, and repeat schedule.

• Can a family member set up my Alexa reminders from their phone?

  Yes, as long as they are logged into the same Amazon account as your Echo device, or are added as a household member in Amazon's settings. They can create, edit, or delete your reminders remotely without needing to be in the room with you.

• Does Alexa have a dedicated medication management feature?

  Amazon offers an Alexa Together subscription with more advanced caregiving features. For basic medication reminders, the standard free reminders feature is sufficient and requires no subscription — everything described in this guide is available at no extra cost.

• What happens if the power goes out at reminder time?

  If your Echo device loses power when a reminder is scheduled, it will not play that occurrence. The reminder is not lost — it will resume on its normal schedule the next time it is due. Consider a backup: a simple phone alarm set at the same time gives you a second layer of notification.

Related Guides

Last updated: April 2026.
This guide was written for all current Amazon Echo devices running the latest version of the Alexa app. Steps may vary slightly if your app has not been updated recently — update it from the App Store or Google Play to ensure your screens match this guide.