How to Set Multiple Alerts for Calendar Events on iPhone

To get more than one alert for an iPhone calendar event, edit the event, open its alert controls and add another alert. For example, set one for the day before an appointment and a second 30 minutes beforehand. TapCal supports up to five alarms with custom times, according to its current App Store listing. The exact choices you see can depend on the calendar and the event.

Set two alerts in TapCal

For a straightforward example, imagine a dentist appointment at 10:00 on Thursday. You might want an early nudge to arrange your morning, then a second to prompt you to leave. The first alert could be Wednesday at 10:00, and the second Thursday at 09:30. Those times are just an example: choose intervals that suit the event and your plans.

1. In TapCal, open the day containing the event and tap the event in the timeline. To make a new event instead, tap the plus button and choose Event.

2. In the event editor, tap the alert setting. If you are creating an event, it may initially show None.

3. Add an alert and choose when it should arrive. Add a second alert, then set its timing separately. TapCal’s listing describes support for up to five alarms with custom times.

4. Save the event. Reopen it to check that both alert timings are shown, especially if you have edited an event from a shared or subscribed calendar.

TapCal’s alert control is part of the event form, alongside the calendar selection. The supplied event-screen example shows the alert set to None; it does not show the multiple-alert controls. Menu wording and available timings may differ with the current app version, the selected calendar and the event’s settings.

Choose alerts that do different jobs

Two alerts are most useful when each has a purpose. An earlier one can give you time to prepare: check the address, gather documents or arrange transport. A later one can mark the point when it is time to stop what you are doing and head out.

For a video call, an alert the day before may be unnecessary; 15 minutes beforehand and another at the start might work better. For a long journey, the earlier alert could be the important one. Think about what you need to do at each nudge, rather than adding alerts simply because you can.

Avoid notification overload

More alerts can help with an appointment that takes planning, but they can become background noise if every routine event gets several. Start with two for events you are genuinely worried about missing. If the first reminder is enough, remove the second next time.

It also helps to check which calendar the event belongs to. TapCal’s help explains that event alerts are controlled through calendars, and that its notification settings are separate from reminder-list alerts. If an event does not alert as expected, check that alerts are enabled for its calendar and that TapCal is allowed to send notifications in iPhone settings.

If you cannot add a second alert

First, check that you are editing a calendar event rather than an Apple Reminder: they have separate alert controls. Then try opening the event in TapCal and checking the alert setting again. The available options can vary by calendar provider and event type, so a particular calendar may not offer every timing or control.

TapCal’s current App Store listing says events support up to five alarms with custom times. It does not identify this feature as Pro-only. If your screen differs, check the current in-app controls and help guide before relying on a particular setup.

For an important appointment, set two alerts with distinct jobs, save the event, then reopen it to confirm both timings. That gives you an early prompt to prepare and a later one to act, without turning every calendar entry into another notification.