Siri: Reminder in the past?

I think it is a problem with the Siri server because it all started about the same time and happens on different devices(Mac, iPhone, and iPad) but non the less the work around is to ask Siri to "set reminder for today" then she will clarify what time and the reminder will be set.

Your original post says "I'm sorry but I can't reminder you in the past". That would have been a very strange error message. That's why I asked if it was a typo. I'm assuming it was.

I'd probably trying turning off the automatic time setting and turning it back on. Settings>General>Date & Time>Set Automatically. While you're there, make sure you have the correct time zone selected.

Indy042 wrote:

Whoops. Sorry I missed my own typo. Sorry about that. I tried turning the Auto Time Zone off (setting to correct zone) and no luck. Turned it back on and still nothing. The date and time are correct for EDT.

It's often very hard to see one's own typos!

Try saying "Remind me to get the keys at 2pm today"

I noticed this happening to me too. I first noticed it last night. I've tried TIOBOA and going from automatically changing the time but it's still happening. Occasionally I get the "sorry I can't remind you in the past." followed by "OK, I'll remind you. When would you like to be reminded?"

Yes, this has been an issue over the past 4-5 days or so. I use the same exact phrasing as you "Siri, remind me to call John today at 2pm" and the response is always "Sorry [USERNAME], but I can't remind you in the past." I've used this feature daily for years in this exact manner and have always been successful. My auto-world clock was switched to manual then back to auto in an attempt to clear the bug with no success. ... this is pretty brutal.

jacetheace1 wrote:

I think it is a problem with the Siri server because it all started about the same time and happens on different devices(Mac, iPhone, and iPad) but non the less the work around is to ask Siri to "set reminder for today" then she will clarify what time and the reminder will be set.

The problem certainly isn't universal. I can set reminders through Siri with no difficulty. I suspect it's some sort of network or server issue. Siri can be adversely affected by such things. Generally, all you can do is wait.

I also just started having this problem today (oddly, after having 10.3.3 for a week). Applecare rep seemed clueless to the issue despite being informed of this thread, and after a few basic troubleshooting steps I have been told to restore my phone via iTunes to test if the issue occurs when setup as a new phone (to see if the issue is related to the specific installation of the software). Have any of you tried this yet?

And just to add a bit more info: I am only having this with reminders set for sometime later today (oddly "tomorrow at 16:00 worked just fine"). Calendars and alarms are working completely normally. So strange...

I'd try resetting network settings first. It's fast and the only thing it deletes is saved WiFi passwords. It should only take you a couple of minutes and it might help. If it doesn't, you can decide if you want to proceed with the restore.

rpp08 wrote:

Unfortunately, this did not work. I guess I will have to find some time to try a restore. I think what bothers me the most is Apple's lack of attention to these things.

What makes you say Apple is not paying attention? They walked you through troubleshooting and advised you on your next step. When there is a problem affecting this small a number of people, it's very hard to acquire enough data to determine exactly what the source of the issue is. If you restore your phone and the problem is resolved (and you call Apple back and tell them), they will have one more piece of information that will help them with the next person who calls with this issue.

The fact that only a very small number of iPhone users appear to be reporting this problem doesn't make it any less frustrating to you. It just makes it harder to troubleshoot.

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that they should have enough data to give me a clear answer. But two separate Applecare reps were completely disinterested in knowing that this thread existed, opting to treat my problem as a one-off rather than a potential multi-user issue. Obviously this problem isn't affecting all users, but the onus should be on the software developer to fix issues that are clearly software related (even minor ones), which one would assume includes noting that those issues are in fact not isolated to one particular user. I'm quite proficient in iOS and therefore don't really have an issue with having to restore and run some tests, but I obviously don't appreciate having to spend my time troubleshooting software that worked 24 hours ago and now doesn't. I think that's reasonable.

rpp08 wrote:

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that they should have enough data to give me a clear answer. But two separate Applecare reps were completely disinterested in knowing that this thread existed, opting to treat my problem as a one-off rather than a potential multi-user issue. Obviously this problem isn't affecting all users, but the onus should be on the software developer to fix issues that are clearly software related (even minor ones), which one would assume includes noting that those issues are in fact not isolated to one particular user. I'm quite proficient in iOS and therefore don't really have an issue with having to restore and run some tests, but I obviously don't appreciate having to spend my time troubleshooting software that worked 24 hours ago and now doesn't. I think that's reasonable.

Statistically speaking, this is barely more than one user. The people who help you trouble shoot are not the people who are resolving larger software issues. They log them when you call in. As you can't answer questions about what other people are experiencing, they have to treat this as an individual issue until it's determined it's not. And no, it's not clearly (yet) software related. Most Siri problems I've seen in the past have been network or server related. And, as no cause has been determined, it's also still within the realm of possibility that not everyone has the same problems, only the same symptoms.

Best of luck on the restore.

So I have been having this issue since Monday and I just tried your trick of telling iSiri to "set reminder for today" then she will clarify what time and the reminder will be set" but got the same message!!! WHY???

I recall, a very long time ago, that having an Exchange account on the phone could cause problems with dated reminders. I don't remember all the details. However, it might be a direction worth investigating.