How the Google Calendar SMS integration works
The Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) integration connects directly to your Google Calendar and turns each appointment into an automatic text message. Once connected, Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) reads your upcoming events and — at the times you choose — sends your client a reminder SMS. Clients can reply to confirm, cancel, or ask to reschedule (two-way texting), or tap a confirmation link. There’s no migration and no code: install the add-on, connect your Google Calendar, add a phone number to an event, and reminders start sending.
In short:
- Native integration — reads directly from the Google Calendar you already use, no Zapier bridge.
- Automatic — every appointment with a phone number triggers a reminder on your schedule.
- Two-way — clients reply to confirm, cancel, or ask to reschedule and the app responds automatically, in six languages.
- Fast — most users are sending reminders within about 10 minutes.
New to texting from your calendar? Our guide to sending Google Calendar events to SMS explains how it works, and SMS reminders for Google Calendar walks through setup step by step.
Installation guide
Step 1: Install the Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) add-on
- Visit the SMS Reminder listing in the Google Workspace Marketplace.
- Click Install.
- Grant the required permissions to connect the add-on to your Google account.
Step 2: Open the add-on inside Google Calendar
- Go to Google Calendar.
- Locate the Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) add-on in the right-hand sidebar.
- Click the Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) icon to open the app.
Step 3: Add reminders to an appointment
- Open a calendar event.
- Enter the customer’s phone number.
- Choose when reminder messages should be sent.
Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) will automatically send confirmation and reminder text messages before the appointment time.
Step 4: Save your reminder settings
Once the reminder settings are saved, Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) will handle the messaging automatically. You can repeat this process for any appointment in your calendar.
Step 5: Share your free booking page
Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) includes a free booking page that lets customers book appointments directly. Your booking page connects to your primary Google Calendar and shows available time slots.
You can share your booking page by:
- sending the link directly to clients
- adding it to your website
- including it in your email signature
When a customer books through your booking page, the appointment is automatically added to your Google Calendar, and reminders send for every booking made through an appointment type with a reminder template. See how the booking page works or follow the booking page setup guide.
Frequently asked questions
Compare SMS reminder tools that offer direct Google Calendar integration features
Look at what the integration actually does. Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) signs in with your Google account, reads events from the calendars you choose, and texts the client when an event includes their phone number, including events you add on your phone. Each appointment’s status shows as a colour on the Google Calendar event: green confirmed, red cancelled, yellow pending.
Which automated booking system is easiest for non-technical business owners to set up?
The easiest is usually one that uses the calendar you already keep. With Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) there’s no new calendar to learn: connect Google Calendar, create an appointment type with its length and availability, and share your booking link. Bookings land in your Google Calendar and can get an automatic SMS reminder.
Does Google Calendar natively send SMS reminders to clients?
No. Google Calendar can notify you via email or push notification, but it cannot send text messages to clients. A third-party add-on like Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) is required for SMS delivery.
Do I need a paid Google Workspace account?
No. Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) works with both personal Gmail accounts and Google Workspace accounts. A paid Workspace subscription is not required.
How does Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) connect to my Google Calendar?
Via Google’s OAuth system, the same secure login flow used by other Google add-ons and third-party apps. You approve the calendar permissions Google shows you when you sign in.
Will reminders still send if I add events on my phone?
Yes. Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) reads from your Google Calendar regardless of where events are created: desktop, mobile app, or a connected booking page.
What happens if I uninstall the add-on?
Any reminders already scheduled for upcoming appointments will stop sending. Your Google Calendar events and data are not affected.
How do I set up SMS reminders in Google Calendar?
Install the SMS Reminder add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace, open it inside Google Calendar, and connect your Google account. Then add a client’s phone number to an event and choose when reminders should send. From that point on, reminders send automatically for your appointments — setup usually takes under 10 minutes.
Can clients reply to the SMS reminders?
Yes. With two-way texting, clients can reply in plain language to confirm, cancel, or ask to reschedule, and Kalama (formerly SMS Reminder) responds automatically (in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German). They can also confirm or cancel by tapping the link in the message.
