Hey Reader! 👋

For this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to add birthdays into the Contacts app and get reminders so you’ll never miss a birthday again.

😖 The issue

I used to forget important birthdays all the time.

I didn't forget because I didn't care. I just lacked a good way to track and be reminded about the birthdays.

Not any more.

Since then, I’ve become known to friends and family for being on top of people’s birthdays. I even use a service that will send a card with postage and have it arrive on a birthday!

Thankfully, there’s an easy way on your Mac to get reminders about upcoming birthdays. Better yet, you can customize the reminders far enough in advance to send a card, get a gift, or plan a birthday dinner.

👇 Give it a try

Here’s how to make sure you’re always on top of your friends' and families' birthdays:

Add Birthdays in Contacts

Open the Contacts app and select a contact.
Click "Edit" and add the birthday in the corresponding field.
Click “Done” to save the changes.

This ensures that all birthdays are stored in one central location.

macOS Contacts app showing where to enter a birthday — *Click to view a larger image*

Sync Contacts with Calendar

Open the Calendar app and go to Settings.
Select the “General” tab and check the box for “Show Birthdays calendar”.

This allows birthdays to appear automatically in your calendar.

macOS Calendar screenshot showing the General Settings screen — *Click to view a larger image*

Set Up Birthday Alerts

In Calendar Settings, click on the "Alerts" tab.
Set default alerts for birthdays, such as a week in advance.
Customize alert times to fit your needs.

Early reminders help you prepare without stressing out at the last minute.

macOS Calendar app showing the Alerts Settings screen — *Click to view a larger image*

Now, the birthday will show up as an event on your Calendar.

macOS Calendar app showing a birthday alert — *Click to view a larger image*

Use Siri for Hands-Free Setup

Activate Siri and say, “Add a birthday for [Contact Name].”
Follow the prompts to complete the setup.
Confirm that the birthday has been added in Contacts.

Siri makes the process quick and efficient when you're away from your Mac.

Regularly Update Your Contacts

Periodically review and update your contact list.
Add new family and friends' birthdays right away.
Remove outdated contacts to keep your list up to date.

Regular updates ensure that you never miss an important birthday.

Setting up birthday alerts in macOS Contacts is simple and ensures you never forget a special day again. Today, try it out and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being prepared.

Are you good at remembering birthdays?

Always! 🥳

Sometimes 🎈

Nope 😢