Work through this checklist if PillBox reminders aren't coming through.
1. Check notification permission
Go to iPhone Settings → PillBox → Notifications.
Make sure Allow Notifications is on. If it's off, PillBox can't send any reminders.
2. Check Focus and Do Not Disturb
If your iPhone is in Focus or Do Not Disturb mode, notifications from most apps are silenced.
To let PillBox through:
- Go to iPhone Settings → Focus.
- Tap the Focus mode you use (e.g. Sleep, Personal).
- Under Allowed Apps, add PillBox.
3. Check iOS Focus and Scheduled Summary
PillBox does not have its own quiet-hours setting. If your reminders are arriving silently or not at all during certain hours, check your iOS Focus or Do Not Disturb settings (see step 2 above). You can also check iPhone Settings → Notifications → Scheduled Summary — if PillBox is in a Scheduled Summary, its notifications are held and delivered in a batch rather than immediately.
4. Check PillBox's own Settings
Open the Profile tab → Settings. The Notifications banner at the top tells you at a glance whether reminders are enabled and authorised. While you're there, check the Live Activities toggle if the lock-screen countdown isn't appearing.
5. Check the reminder toggle on the dose card
Each medication has a reminders toggle. If it's off, that medication won't send any notifications or show a Live Activity.
To check:
- Tap the Medications tab.
- Tap the medication.
- Look for the reminders toggle and make sure it's on.
Still not working?
Try these steps:
- Make sure the medication has a scheduled time (as-needed medications don't send reminders).
- Check that the dose isn't already marked Taken, Skipped, or Missed for today.
- Restart PillBox and check again after the next scheduled dose time.