Apple Calendar app has got all the bases covered to be your go-to calendar. Whether you want to create a custom calendar, plan an event, or share a calendar with colleagues for collaboration, it’s got you covered. Moreover, you can also perfectly customize alerts to get timely notifications to ensure you never get late for a meeting. Speaking of notifications, a good number of users have recently complained that calendar alerts are not working on iPhone. If your iOS device has also encountered this frustrating issue, check out these 15 reliable tips to fix calendar alerts ill-functioning on iPhone.
Fix Calendar Alerts Not Working on iPhone and iPad
So, why is the Apple Calendar app ill-functioning? In most cases, this issue arises out of the wrong configuration of alerts. Hence, fixing this problem may help you overcome the hurdle. However, if the calendar app notifications still misbehave, you will have to resort to other solutions like rebooting and factory reset.
1. Make Sure Your iPhone is Not in the Silent Mode
To begin with, ensure that your iPhone is not in silent mode. Though it might sound funny to many, the silent mode might be creating confusion by not allowing notifications to ping. As a result, your calendar notifications might be getting lost in the pileup of alerts.
- Note that when the mute switch is active, you will see an orange line above the switch (toward the screen). To turn it off, just push the switch toward the screen so that the orange line gets hidden.
2. Update Software on Your Device
Maybe your iOS is now bugged out which is preventing notifications from apps including Calendar. Now, you know it’s time to update your iOS.
- Head over to the Settings app -> General -> Software Update -> Download and install the latest version of iPadOS/iOS.
3. Check for the Alert Tone Set in the Calendar App
Maybe, the alert tone that is set by you is not reaching your ears. In that case, you need to change the alert tone so that you are actually alerted. How to do that? Follow the steps below:
- To do so, open the Settings app and then navigate directly to Notifications.
- Then, select Calendar and tap on Sounds.
- Next, select the desired tone. This time, make sure to pick the one that sounds louder.
4. Disable/Enable Calendar Sync with iCloud
If you are not getting calendar reminders on a specific iDevice, make sure you have enabled the iCloud sync.
- Hop onto the Settings app of your iPhone -> Apple ID banner ->
- Tap on iCloud -> Show All option.
- After that, turn on the toggle for Calendar and then quit the Settings.
5. Make Sure You Have Perfectly Customized the Alerts of a Specific Event
The Apple Calendar app allows you to customize the alerts of specific calendars depending on your needs. So, make sure you have ideally fine-tuned the alerts.
On your iPhone or iPad, launch the Calendar app -> open the calendar in question -> tap on the Edit button.
- After that, tap on Alert and then choose the preferred alert option.
- Then, tap on the Second alert and select the desired frequency.
6. Ensure That Apple Calendar App Can Use Cellular Data
While customizing the Settings app on your iPhone, you might have accidentally disallowed the Calendar app to use your cellular data.
- Head into the Settings app on your iPhone -> Cellular -> scroll down to find Calendar and then turn on the toggle for it.
7. Allow the Calendar App to Use Your Location
With the location access, it becomes a bit easier for the Calendar app to work properly and also send you real-time alerts.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone -> Privacy & Security -> Location Services -> Calendar and then select While Using the App.
- For a better experience, turn on the toggle for Precise Location as well.
8. Reconfiguring Calendar App Notification Settings Might Help
Another reliable solution that you should try to fix this issue is to reconfigure the Calendar app notifications.
- To get going, open the Settings app –> Notifications -> Calendar and then fine-tune the notifications.
- Make sure to turn on the toggle for Allow Notifications and also ensure that the toggle for Time Sensitive Notifications is enabled.
9. Disable Focus/Do Not Disturb Mode
It’s important to note that when Focus/Do Not Disturb mode is enabled, notifications from selected people and apps are allowed, while all others are silenced. Hence, turn off this mode.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen or swipe up from the bottom edge of the display to bring up Control Center -> tap on Focus -> tap on Focus/DND to turn it off.
- In order to make changes to any Focus profile, go to Settings app -> Focus -> select a profile -> Apps -> Allow Notifications -> Add Apps button and then select Calendar so that it can send notifications without any hindrance.
10. Be Sure iCloud Calendar is Working Properly
No solution as yet? Fret not! If iCloud Calendar is going through an outage, you can do nothing but wait until the Cupertino giant resolves the issue.
- Launch a browser on your device -> Go to Apple System Status and then make sure iCloud Calendar is working as usual.
11. Make Sure You Have Enabled the Automatic Date & Time
One reason why your Calendar alerts may not be working might be that the Automatic date & time is not enabled in your iPhone and you set the wrong dates.
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General.
- Go to Date & Time and turn on the toggle next to Set Automatically and you’re done.
12. Time Zone Override Messes with Calendar Alerts
You can enable Time Zone Override feature to make the Calendar app always show the event dates and times in the selected time zone. While there is no doubt that it’s a pretty helpful feature, it could cause headaches at times.
- To turn it off, open the Settings app on your iPhone -> Calendar app -> Time Zone Override and then turn it off.
13. Reboot Your iPhone or iPad
If the Calendar alerts not working problem is due to a minor software glitch, a soft reset could help you resolve it. Hence, I would recommend you give this well-known troubleshooter a try.
14. Delete and Reinstall Apple Calendar App
On many occasions, you can fix issues related to the Apple Calendar app by deleting and reinstalling it. If you are concerned about losing data, let me tell you that deleting the stock calendar app doesn’t delete your calendars or the associated data.
- Just touch and hold onto the Calendar app icon -> Remove App -> Delete App and confirm.
- Then after, open the App Store -> find the Calendar app and install it.
15. Factory Reset Your iPhone or iPad
Factory reset is what I try when an annoying issue doesn’t seem to get sorted out by basic tips. Keep in mind that it will get rid of all the custom settings including Home Screen layout, VPN, Wi-Fi passwords, and more; putting everything back to the default state in the process. But none of your data including photos, videos, music, or messages are deleted.
- On your iPhone or iPad -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.
Wrapping Up…
There you have it! With your Calendar alerts issue resolved, stay updated with timely alerts. As always, make sure to share your thoughts and the solutions that have worked in bringing the ill-functioning notifications back on track.
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