How to get medication reminders on an Apple Watch

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 3 October 2026

The schedule is set up once in the Health app on the iPhone. After that, the watch taps your wrist when a dose is due and keeps a record of what you took and what you skipped.

These steps are for recent versions of watchOS. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the watch screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Open Medications on the iPhone

   Open the Health app, tap Browse and then Medications. Tap Add a Medication.

   Done

2. Enter the medication

   Type the name into the search field and pick it from the list. Choose the type, for example tablet or capsule, and tap Next. Choose the strength and tap Next.

   Done

3. Set the schedule

   Follow the screens to set how often and at what times you take it, and for how long. Optionally choose a shape and colours, so the entry looks like your tablet. Tap Done.

   Done

4. Log a dose on the watch

   When the reminder arrives, tap it. Or open the Medications app on the watch and tap the current schedule. Tap Log All as Taken, or scroll and tap Taken for single medications. Tap Done.

   Done

5. Correct an entry

   Tap the medication in the Medications app on the watch, choose Taken or Skipped, and tap Done.

   Done

6. Turn on a second reminder

   In the Health app on the iPhone, open Browse, Medications, Options and switch on Follow Up Reminders. You are reminded again if a dose has not been logged 30 minutes after its time.

   Done

7. Use Critical Alerts for important doses

   For a single medication you can switch on Critical Alerts. These appear on the Lock Screen and play a sound even when a Focus is on or the iPhone is muted.

   Done

Good to know

The app reminds and records. It does not check doses or replace the instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.

The record of taken and skipped doses is in the Health app on the iPhone, under Medications, and is useful to show at a doctor's appointment.

If reminders do not arrive on the watch: Apple Watch not getting notifications: 7 things to check.

Also worth setting up: how to set up Medical ID and emergency contacts on an iPhone, where your medications can be listed for emergency services.

In short: Health app on the iPhone, Browse, Medications, Add a Medication, set the schedule. On the watch tap the reminder and Log All as Taken. Follow Up Reminders under Options.