How to set default alert times for calendar events on an iPhone
2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Calendar, scroll down and tap Default Alert Times. Tap Birthdays, Events or All-Day Events and choose when the alert should come. All three are set to None at first, so new events have no alert unless you add one by hand.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Apps › Calendar › Default Alert Times
- Real screenshots
- 5 of 5 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
A new iPhone does not remind you of calendar events on its own: the default alert is None. Set a default once, and each new event of that kind gets the alert without you adding it every time.
The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap Apps
Apps is near the bottom of the main Settings list.
Tap Calendar
The apps are in alphabetical order, so Calendar is near the top, under C.
Scroll down and tap Default Alert Times
It is in the lower half of the page, below Sync.
Tap Birthdays, Events or All-Day Events
Each kind has its own default. The word at the right shows the current one. In the picture all three say None. Tap a row and pick a time from the list.
Check Time to Leave
Time to Leave is a switch on the same page. In the picture it is grey. The note below explains why: these alerts are not available because Calendar does not have access to the precise location.
Good to know
The row below Default Alert Times, Duration for New Events, sets how long a new event lasts. It is 1 hour at first.
In short: Settings, Apps, Calendar, Default Alert Times, choose a time for each kind.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.