Reminders are how Deadline Guard keeps you informed before — and after — a deadline arrives. This page explains how to set them up and how the notification system works.

What is a Reminder?

A reminder is a notification that fires at a specific time before your deadline. You can add as many reminders as you want per deadline (PRO required for reminders — see PRO Features).

Adding a Reminder

When creating or editing a deadline, scroll to the Reminders section and tap Add reminder.

You can set a reminder in two ways:

Choose a number and a unit — for example, “3 days before”, “2 hours before”, or “1 week before”.

Relative reminders are flexible: if you reschedule the deadline, the reminder automatically moves to match.

Available units:

  • Minutes
  • Hours
  • Days

Absolute reminder

Pick a specific date and time for the notification — for example, “Monday 9:00 AM”.

Use absolute reminders when you need a notification at a precise calendar time, regardless of when the deadline is.

Quick Reminder Presets

When editing a deadline with a due date already set, quick-tap presets appear:

  • 1 hour before
  • 3 hours before
  • 1 day before
  • 3 days before
  • 1 week before
  • 1 month before

Tap any preset to instantly add that reminder without opening the full reminder editor.

Multiple Reminders (PRO feature)

You can add more than one reminder to a deadline. This is useful for important deadlines where you want a first nudge well in advance, and a final warning close to the date.

Example — contract cancellation deadline:

  • First reminder: “30 days before” → time to read the contract and draft a cancellation letter
  • Second reminder: “7 days before” → time to send the letter and get it in before the period closes
  • Third reminder: “1 day before” → final check that the letter was received and processed

PRO feature: to add reminders, upgrade to PRO. See PRO Features.

Escalating Notifications for Overdue Deadlines

When a deadline passes without being confirmed, Deadline Guard sends a series of escalating notifications to remind you it still needs attention:

Stage Notification
1 — Deadline reached “Deadline due — [title]”
2 — Still overdue “Deadline overdue — [title] – please review”
3 — Still unconfirmed “Deadline still unconfirmed — Confirm to close: [title]”
4 — Action required “Action required: confirm deadline — Please confirm: [title]”

These notifications stop as soon as you confirm or delete the deadline. They are designed to be a gentle, persistent nudge — not an alarm.

You can’t configure escalation timing directly. It is managed automatically to keep things simple.

Notification Permissions

Reminders only work if the app has permission to send notifications. When you start Deadline Guard, the app asks for permission.

If you need to enable it manually:

  1. Open the app menu (hamburger icon, top-left).
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Notification Permissions.
  4. Tap Enable Notifications and follow the system prompt.

Exact Alarms (Android)

On Android, enabling Exact Alarms ensures your reminders fire at precisely the time you set. Without this permission, Android may slightly delay notifications. The Settings screen also guides you through enabling this.

Practical Examples

Streaming subscription (monthly)

You want a nudge a few days before your streaming service charge.

  • Reminder: “5 days before”
  • You get one notification before each renewal cycle.

Annual software license

Your annual tool license renews automatically on 15 March.

  • Reminder 1: “30 days before” — compare alternatives or decide to keep it
  • Reminder 2: “3 days before” — take action before the renewal locks in

Lease agreement

Your flat lease allows cancellation with 3 months’ written notice.

  • Add the deadline as the last day to give notice
  • Reminder 1: “4 months before” — evaluate whether you’re staying or leaving
  • Reminder 2: “2 weeks before” — write and send the notice letter if leaving

Warranty claim

Your laptop’s 2-year warranty expires in 60 days. The screen has been flickering.

  • Reminder: “2 weeks before”
  • You get the nudge while you still have time to file a claim.

Next Steps