How to add a one-time event
Fire a reminder once on a specific date — perfect for appointments and deadlines.
Not everything repeats. A one-time event fires once on a date you choose and then it's done — ideal for appointments, filing deadlines, or a single milestone.
Add a one-time event
- Open the reminder and tap Edit.
- Scroll to Schedules and add a schedule that's one-time.
- Pick the date it should fire.
- Set your alert offsets — how far ahead you'd like to be warned (for example, 7 days before and again on the day).
- Tap Save.
The event sits quietly until its date, alerts you according to your offsets, and doesn't recur.
Tip: a single reminder can mix schedule types. Keep a recurring schedule for the routine part and add a one-time event for a special date — they coexist happily.
One-time event vs. expiration date
These sound similar but do different jobs:
- A one-time event is something you do on a date — Dentist appointment, Submit taxes.
- An expiration date marks when something lapses — Passport expires, Warranty ends — and produces "expiring soon" then "expired" alerts.
If you want a warning before something runs out, use an expiration date instead. See Set start and expiration dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set more than one one-time event on the same reminder? Yes. Add as many one-time events as you need — a dentist appointment next month and a follow-up three months later can both live on the same "Dentist" reminder.
What happens to the reminder after the one-time event fires? The reminder stays active. Only that specific event is marked done. Any recurring schedules or other one-time events on the same reminder continue as normal.
Can I add alert offsets to a one-time event, the same as a recurring schedule? Yes. Alert offsets are set once per reminder — up to 10, each 0–90 days in advance with no duplicates — and the same set applies to your one-time events and recurring schedules alike.
What's the difference between a one-time event and just pausing a recurring schedule until a specific date? A pause suspends all alerts temporarily. A one-time event fires once without affecting your recurring schedule at all. Use a one-time event when you want an extra alert on a specific date, not a break from the normal routine.