# How to Remember to Take Birth Control Every Day > Practical ways to take the pill on time: pick a time that works on weekends too, keep reminders discreet, plan for travel and get refills before you run out. Source: https://www.getmindie.app/blog/birth-control-pill-reminder (published 2026-10-29) Most days you take it without thinking. Then one evening you're out, or away, or just tired, and you realise at midnight you have no idea whether you took it. The pill works best when it's taken consistently, and some types need a tight time window. That makes it one of the few daily habits where "most days" isn't good enough. Here's how to build a routine that holds up on your messiest days. For anything about your specific pill, missed doses or switching methods, your doctor, nurse or pharmacist and the leaflet in the pack are the right sources. ## Pick a time that works seven days a week The most common mistake is choosing a time that only fits weekdays. A 7am pill works until Saturday's lie-in. Look at your week and find a time when you're usually: - **Awake,** including weekends. - **At home or with your bag,** so the pack is within reach. - **Not mid-rush,** like the school run or a commute. For a lot of people that's the evening, somewhere between dinner and bed. For others it's first thing after waking, whenever that is. Ask your pharmacist how much flexibility your pill allows, because that tells you how strict the time needs to be. ## Anchor it to something you never skip A reminder gets you started. An anchor keeps you going once the reminder becomes background noise. Pair the pill with something you do every single day: - Brushing your teeth before bed. - Plugging in your phone at night. - Taking out your contact lenses. - Your first glass of water in the morning. Then keep the pack right next to the anchor. Toothbrush by the sink, pack beside it. Phone charger on the bedside table, pack beside it. ## Use a reminder that doesn't take no for an answer A single phone alarm is easy to dismiss while you're doing something else. You think "in a minute", and the minute disappears. What helps: - **A reminder that repeats until you confirm.** It keeps coming back every few minutes until you say you've taken it. - **A specific snooze.** If you can't take it right now, push it to a set time, not "later". - **A record.** Confirming each day means you can check back if you're ever unsure. ## Keep it discreet Notifications show up on lock screens, smartwatches and shared tablets. If you'd rather your reminder didn't announce itself to whoever's nearby, a few options: - **Use a neutral label.** "Evening thing", "the usual" or a single emoji works if you know what it means. - **Hide previews.** Most phones let you hide message previews on the lock screen, either for all apps or for one. - **Check linked devices.** If your messages appear on a shared laptop or family iPad, look at which devices are signed in. ## Plan for travel and time zones Travel is where routines usually slip. Bags get repacked, days blur, and your phone might still think it's at home. ### Before you go - Count how many pills you'll need for the trip, plus a few days' spare, and make sure you have enough. - Keep the pack in your carry-on, not your checked bag. - If you're crossing time zones, ask your pharmacist how to adjust your pill time. The answer depends on your pill. ### While you're away - Set your reminder to the local time you've agreed on, so it arrives when you're awake. - Anchor to something that travels with you, like your evening skincare or charging your phone. ## Don't let the pack run out A refill that's late can cause a gap you didn't plan. Work back from your last pack: 1. Note when you start your final pack. 2. Set a reminder a week or two before it ends to order or collect the next prescription. 3. If your prescription needs a check-up before it's renewed, give yourself longer, since appointments can take a while to get. ## Track your cycle alongside If your pack has a break or placebo week, a heads-up a day or two before helps you start the next pack on the right day. Keeping a simple note of when each bleed starts also gives you something useful to show at your next appointment. A [period reminder](/reminders/period) can give you a heads-up before it's due and a place to log the start date. ## Doing it with Mindie Mindie lives in WhatsApp, so the reminder shows up in a chat you already check every evening. Setting up a [birth control pill reminder](/reminders/birth-control-pill) looks like this: "Every day at 9:30pm remind me to take the evening thing and keep nagging until I say done" Nag mode means it keeps nudging until you reply "done". If you're in the middle of dinner, reply "snooze 30 minutes". Your replies stay in the chat, so you can scroll back and see that you replied "done" at 9:41pm last night. For refills: "On 3 March remind me to order my next pill prescription, and give me a heads-up a week before" You can also keep a short note of cycle start dates and ask for it before an appointment. When you travel, your reminders follow your timezone setting, so update it when you land. Mindie doesn't know anything about your pill and doesn't advise on missed doses. It keeps the time you chose. If you've missed a pill, follow the leaflet and call your pharmacist or clinic if you're unsure. For more on why one-off alerts get ignored, the post on [why reminders fail](/blog/why-reminders-fail) goes deeper. ## A quick setup checklist - Choose a time you're awake and at home every day of the week. - Put the pack next to something you do daily. - Set a reminder that repeats until you confirm. - Give it a discreet label if your notifications are visible to others. - Set a refill reminder a week or two before your last pack ends. ## Reminders worth setting - [Birth control pill reminder](/reminders/birth-control-pill): the same time every day, with nudges until you've taken it. - [Period reminder](/reminders/period): a heads-up a few days before, and a log of start dates. - [Prescription refill reminder](/reminders/prescription-refill): order the next pack before the current one runs out. - [Doctor appointment reminder](/reminders/doctor-appointment): for prescription reviews and check-ups. ## FAQ ### What is the best time to take the birth control pill? Whatever time you can stick to every day, weekends included. Many people choose the evening because it's more predictable than mornings. Your pharmacist can tell you how strict the timing needs to be for your pill. ### Can I set a pill reminder that doesn't say what it's for? Yes. Use a neutral label only you understand, and hide message previews on your lock screen if others can see your phone. ### What should I do if I forgot to take my pill? Follow the instructions in the leaflet that came with your pack, which differ by pill type. If you're unsure, call your pharmacist, doctor or clinic.