Motorola reminders not going off? Fix it

If reminders on a Motorola phone ring late or not at all, check three things: the app's battery use should be Unrestricted, its notifications should be allowed on the lock screen, and it should be allowed to set exact alarms under Alarms & reminders. Motorola's software is close to stock Android, so these few settings fix most cases.

Buzzley is the example below. The same steps apply to any reminder or alarm app on a Moto phone.

Why Motorola phones can delay reminders

Motorola keeps Android's own menus and adds little on top. The usual causes are Android's:

• Battery optimization can postpone what an app does in the background. An app on Unrestricted is left alone.
• Exact alarms. Since Android 12, an app needs the Alarms & reminders permission to ring on the minute.
• Lock screen notifications. If they're hidden for the app, you can miss a reminder that did arrive.

How to fix it on a Motorola phone

Labels can differ slightly between Android versions. If a name doesn't match, search Settings for it.

1. Set battery use to Unrestricted

Open Settings > Apps > Buzzley, then the app's battery usage page, and choose Unrestricted.

2. Show alarms on the lock screen

In Buzzley's notification settings (Settings > Apps > Buzzley > Notifications), allow notifications, pop-ups and showing them on the lock screen.

3. Allow Alarms & reminders

Open Settings > Apps > Special app access > Alarms & reminders, pick Buzzley and allow it.

4. Turn off Pause app activity if unused

Back on Buzzley's app info page (Settings > Apps > Buzzley), switch off Pause app activity if unused if your version has it. Android then won't remove Buzzley's permissions because you haven't opened it in a while.

What Buzzley does on a Motorola phone

Buzzley's Android app recognises Motorola phones. Its Alarm not ringing? screen shows Steps for Motorola phones (the first two steps above), with Open settings buttons that open Buzzley's app info page and its notification settings.

The screen also runs four checks with a Fix button each: "Notifications are off", "Reminders may ring late" (the Alarms & reminders permission), "Alarms can't fill the lock screen" (Android 14 and later) and "Battery saver may delay reminders". Open it from Settings > Full-screen alarms > Alarm not ringing?, or from the Help button on the banner Buzzley shows on its home screen when something blocks reminders.

When it all checks out, a reminder set to the Alarm style rings full screen on the alarm volume and passes through silent mode and Do Not Disturb. Read more in reminders that ring like an alarm.

Test it with a two-minute reminder

After changing the settings, check them with a real reminder. In Buzzley, add a reminder for two minutes from now and set its Notification style to Alarm. Lock the phone, put it face down and wait. It should ring full screen on the alarm volume at the minute you set. If it rings late, open Alarm not ringing? again and look for a check that still fails. If it rings on time with the screen locked, also try once with the phone left alone for a longer stretch, for example a reminder an hour from now, because some battery savers only step in after the phone has been idle for a while.

Common questions

Do I need to change anything in Moto's own apps?

Buzzley's steps for Motorola cover only Android's own settings, which is where Moto phones manage battery and notifications. If you've installed a separate cleaner or battery app, add Buzzley to its exceptions.

Does a restart stop my reminders?

No. Buzzley sets its alarms again after a restart, and they ring even before you unlock the phone.

What does Force stop do?

Force stop in app info cancels Buzzley's alarms until you open the app again. Swiping it away from recent apps is fine.

Is a Pixel the same?

Almost. The Google Pixel guide uses the same menus. For other brands, start with the general Android battery guide.