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Updated

Google Calendar SMS Notifications Were Discontinued

Google removed native SMS notifications from Google Calendar on January 7, 2019. Google Calendar still supports personal app, browser, desktop, and email notifications, but it no longer sends native SMS reminders.

Current status

The native SMS feature has not returned

This page documents the retired Google Calendar feature. If you are evaluating current client-reminder tools instead, use the separate Google Calendar SMS reminder app comparison.

Official source

Google Calendar SMS reminders discontinued official

Google announced the removal in an official Google Workspace Updates post: Google Calendar SMS notifications to be removed January 7, 2019.

Google's current Calendar Help documentation describes reminders through phone, computer, browser, and email notifications, not native SMS reminders. See Google Calendar notification settings for the current notification options.

  • Official removal date: January 7, 2019.
  • What disappeared: native SMS notifications from Google Calendar.
  • What still exists: personal Google Calendar notifications by app, browser, desktop, and email.

Google Calendar SMS notifications discontinued 2019

Before January 2019 - Google Calendar had an SMS notification option. It was part of Google Calendar's own notification system - a reminder sent to you through your Google account settings, not a client-reminder workflow for appointment businesses.

January 7, 2019 - Google removed SMS notifications from Google Calendar. Google said that people who had been receiving SMS notifications would instead get in-app/browser/mobile notifications and email notifications.

Since 2019 - Google Calendar still has notifications, but the current supported notification types are delivered on your phone, in your web browser, or by email. Google also says notification settings are personal to your account and do not determine notifications for other people who have access to the calendar.

What replaced the native notification?

For calendar owners, Google retained app, browser, desktop, and email notifications. It did not replace native SMS with another built-in text-message channel.

Client-facing SMS now requires a connected service. That current-tool decision is covered on the Google Calendar SMS reminder app comparison, not on this historical page.

FAQ

Are Google Calendar SMS reminders discontinued?
Yes. Google Calendar SMS reminders and SMS notifications were discontinued on January 7, 2019. Google Calendar still supports app, browser, desktop, and email notifications, but not native SMS reminders.
When did Google remove Calendar SMS notifications?
Google removed native Calendar SMS notifications on January 7, 2019.
Which Google Calendar notification types still work?
Google Calendar still supports personal notifications through its app, browser, desktop, and email. These notify the calendar owner according to that account's settings.
Were the discontinued SMS notifications a client-reminder system?
No. They were part of Google Calendar's personal notification settings. They were not a complete workflow for automatically texting clients, patients, students, or customers before appointments.

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