Google Calendar will stop supporting SMS notifications on June 27

By Jason Hahn May 31, 2015

Google Calendar — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google Calendar SMS notifications are going the way of Google Reader, Google Wave, and Knol. On June 27, users of the tech giant’s calendar platform who currently utilize the text message reminder feature will have to transition to relying on smartphone notifications.

The Google Calendar help page dedicated to SMS notifications has a prominent notice at the top warning users that SMS notifications won’t be available starting on June 27.

Google Calendar SMS notifications — Image used with permission by copyright holder

“SMS notifications launched before smartphones were available,” according to the Google Calendar help page. “Now, in a world with smartphones and notifications, you can get richer, more reliable experiences on your mobile device, even offline.”

Google suggests two alternatives: Use the calendar app that came with your smartphone, or install the Google Calendar app for your Android or iOS device. Those who don’t own smartphones are left out to dry when it comes to getting reminders from Google Calendar.

Users who have to make the transition from text message notifications to smartphone notifications can find all the information they need on the Google Calendar help page about notifications.

The company notes that this change will not affect Google Apps for Work, Education, and Government customers, at least not yet.

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Jason Hahn is a part-time freelance writer based in New Jersey. He earned his master's degree in journalism at Northwestern…

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