An appointment reminder text app that helps you show up
Schedule a real text before doctor visits, meetings, and anything you would rather not be late for, or set one up for a family member before their visit.
Set Text Go sends a real SMS text message, not a push notification, so the reminder reaches almost any mobile phone, even without a smartphone, our app, or an internet connection on the other end.
Free to download. Pay as you go, no subscription. Available in the United States and Canada.
Missed appointments cost time, money, and worry
A no-show is almost never deliberate. An appointment gets booked weeks out, then quietly falls off the radar. The reminder that actually works is the one that lands in a place you check without thinking, your text messages, at a time when you can still act on it.
The evidence here is strong. A systematic review found reminders cut missed appointments by about 34% (JHMHP, 2023), and in one randomized trial SMS reminders lowered the no-show rate from 38.1% to 23.5% (peer reviewed RCT, 2017).
What text reminders do for attendance
These studies show what reminders can do in general. Set Text Go does not guarantee an outcome, but sending a clear text at the right time is a proven way to help people arrive.
Reminders that fit how appointments really work
Time it right
Schedule a reminder the day before and another an hour ahead, so there is time to prepare and travel.
Recurring visits
For weekly therapy or a standing meeting, set a recurring text once and stop thinking about it.
Remind others
Send a reminder to a family member, or to more than one person at once, so everyone shows up together.
Any phone
A real text reaches a basic flip phone as easily as a smartphone, with no app for anyone to install.
A real text, not a push notification
A push notification only works on a smartphone with your app installed, notifications enabled, and data available at that moment. Push opt-in rates average around 60%, so many people never receive push at all (Business of Apps). A text has none of those requirements, which is why it is a more dependable way to remind someone about an appointment.
- Reaches any mobile phone, including basic flip phones
- No app needed by the person you are reminding
- Works without wifi or mobile data on their end
- Lands in the text inbox, not buried under app alerts
| What matters | Real SMS text | Push notification |
|---|---|---|
| Works without a smartphone | Yes | No |
| Works without internet or data | Yes | No |
| No app needed by the recipient | Yes | No |
| Reaches everyone you invite | Yes | Often not |
| Lands in the text inbox | Yes | No |
Set an appointment reminder in three steps
Download and sign up
Create your account and verify your phone number in a couple of minutes.
Create the reminder
Add the appointment details, choose who to remind, and set the time or a recurring schedule.
The text is sent
We send a real text to you or your chosen contact with time to spare before the appointment.
Appointment reminder questions
How does the appointment reminder text app work?
Download Set Text Go, add your appointment details and a time, and a real SMS text is sent to the phone you chose. You can schedule one reminder or several, such as one the day before and one an hour ahead.
Do text reminders really reduce no-shows?
Research says they help. A systematic review found reminders cut missed appointments by about 34%, and in one randomized trial SMS reminders lowered the no-show rate from 38.1% to 23.5%. Results vary by situation, so we describe what studies show rather than promising an outcome.
Can I remind someone else about an appointment?
Yes. You can send a reminder to a family member or friend's phone, and to more than one person at once, so everyone stays on the same page. They do not need the app or a smartphone.
Can I set reminders for recurring appointments?
Yes. For a weekly session or a standing meeting, set a recurring text once and it repeats on schedule until you change it.
Is this a push notification?
No. A push notification only works on a smartphone with the app installed and notifications on. Set Text Go sends a true SMS over the phone network, so it reaches basic phones and works without wifi or data on the recipient's side.
How much does it cost?
The app is free to download. You pay as you go with credits, there is no subscription, and credits do not expire. See the pricing page for details.
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Download Set Text Go and set your first appointment reminder in minutes.