Let us get right in and show you how to use the Reminders app on your iPhone or iPad.
How to create a reminder on iPhone or iPad Create a reminder with SiriCreate a reminder from another app Use quick toolbar to add notifications and more to reminderHow to group Reminders using tags in iOS 15File a task under an existing tagView the tasks under a tagHow to create subtasks in Reminders on iPhone or iPadComplete a reminderHow to create a new reminders list on iPhone or iPadHow to move a reminder to a different listPrint reminders list in iOS 14.5 upward on iPhoneHow to sort reminders in iOS 14 and laterView your reminders in smart listsHide or show smart lists in reminders in iOS 15How to search for remindersHow to share a reminders listAssign a reminder in a shared listOrganize lists into groups in Reminders on iOS 15How to delete a reminder Permanently delete completed tasksTo delete a reminder list
Things to consider before you begin
Make sure iCloud Reminders is set up to sync everything across all your Apple devices. Here’s how:
On iPhone and iPad: Open Settings → your name at the top → iCloud → toggle on Reminders, if not already.On Mac: Open System Preferences → Apple ID → iCloud → check the box for Reminders.Upgrade: If you see an option to upgrade your reminders, do that after reading this important information on Apple’s official support page.
How to create a reminder on iPhone or iPad
So before we go further, let me show you how to create a reminder. To start: Note: If you didn’t add details to a reminder while creating it, you could still do so after. Go to the Reminders app home screen → tap All → select the reminder and tap the (i) icon to add details like the date, time, notes, location, and more.
Create a reminder with Siri
Summon Siri by long-pressing the Right Side button on iPhone with Face ID. On models with the Home button, long-press it. You can also use “Hey Siri” if you have already set it up. Once Siri is on screen, you can say something like, “Remind me to take my medicines.” To add time and date to your request, you can say, “Remind me to take my medicines on January 12 at 9 pm.” Next, you’ll hear Siri reply with “done!” You can use Siri to add reminders as you desire. Note: Unfortunately, Siri doesn’t say out due reminders by default. Instead, you’ll get a regular notification beep when a reminder is due.
Create a reminder from another app
Using the iOS Share Sheet, you can create reminders from other apps. Note: To add a reminder from the Notes app, tap the three dots icon from the top, tap Send a Copy, and choose Reminders.
Use quick toolbar to add notifications and more to reminder
When you add a reminder, you will see a quick Toolbar that simplifies the process (at the top of the keypad). Note: You may not see it if you use a third-party keyboard app like SwiftKey. However, here are further details you can add to a reminder:
Date and time: Setting the exact date and time is the key to any reminder. Here, you can customize the date and time for your reminder by tapping either.Add a location: Tap the icon that looks like an arrowhead. Chose an option or tap on Custom and search for an address.Flag a reminder: Here, select the flag icon to mark a reminder as essential. You’ll find all flagged reminders in the smart list section on the app’s home screen.Add an attachment: Tap the gallery icon. From here, you can add media to the reminder. Choose an existing image from Photo Library, or scan a document.Assign a reminder: For this, you will have to start by making a shared list. Once done, tap the assignment button to assign the reminder to the person you want.Use smart suggestions: By learning from the reminders you created, the app may suggest a date, time, and location for similar reminders.
How to group Reminders using tags in iOS 15
Tags help you to organize tasks using keywords in the Reminders app. For instance, you can tag some reminders under the “#coding” category, put some under “#Writing #Coding,” and so on. This is different from organizing tasks into lists in that you can file a reminder under more than one tag. Let’s see how to arrange tasks using tags. In the reminders app:
File a task under an existing tag
To put a reminder under an existing tag:
View the tasks under a tag
Once you start creating tags, you’ll see a new Tag section automatically added to the Reminders app’s home screen. This is a list of all tags you’ve previously created. To view all tasks under a tag:
How to create subtasks in Reminders on iPhone or iPad
Subtasks are valuable as they let you stash reminders under a parent reminder. For example, if the parent reminder is “Monthly Grocery Shopping.” Its sub-reminders can be toothpaste, tissue paper, soap, dog food, and so on. Here are the different ways to create subtasks in the Reminders app:
Method 1: Tap (i) while adding a new reminder. Or tap an existing one to see the (i) button. Next, tap Subtasks → Add Reminder.Once finish adding subtasks, tap <Details to go back. Then finally tap Done.Method 2: Long-tap an existing reminder and swipe it to the right. Then select Indent. This reminder becomes a subtask of the reminder above it. Similarly, to remove the subtask, long-tap and swipe it to the right corner of the screen. Then select Outdent.Method 3: Touch and hold a reminder and drag it over the other. The dragged reminder will become a subtask of the other.
Complete a reminder
How to create a new reminders list on iPhone or iPad
Reminder lists are an excellent way to organize your tasks. It’s handy for quick access to related reminders and doesn’t leave them cluttered. To create reminder lists: To rename or edit the color and icon of an existing list, swipe left to right and tap the info icon (i). You may also tap the list → tap the three horizontal dots at the top right → choose Show List Info to edit it.
Move a reminder to a different list
Print reminders list in iOS 14.5 upward on iPhone
Have a long reminder list that you wish to print out for ease? On iOS 14.5 and later, you can do this from within the app. Here is how: Tip: Wish to save the reminders as a PDF? After step 3:
How to sort reminders in iOS 14 and later
You can sort reminders according to the due date, creation date, priority, or title. Here’s how: Pro Tip: You may also change the order of reminders by dragging them up or down. Note: You can also drag and drop directly, but take care not to make subtasks accidentally.
View your reminders in smart lists
Upon opening the Reminders app, you will see rectangles tabs on the top like Today, Scheduled, Flagged, All, Assigned to Me, etc. Tap one to see the reminders. Smart lists automatically appear on the Reminders app home screen. Most of the names like All, Today, and Scheduled are self-explanatory. The flagged one, for instance, has all the most important reminders you have “flagged.” The Assigned to Me smart list has all reminders that others have assigned to you. Note: You may also see a smart list named Siri Suggestions. It has suggested reminders that the app thinks you should create based on your email and messages.
Hide or show smart lists in Reminders in iOS 15
However, you can choose to show or hide a smart list. So when you hide a list, it doesn’t appear on the Reminders home screen anymore. Similarly, you can make a hidden list visible. That’s easy. Once you open the Reminders app:
How to search for reminders
When you open the Reminders app, there is a search bar at the top. Type the reminder name to look for it. Also, when you select a reminder, tap the (i) icon to make changes.
Share a reminders list
Note: Recipients of a shared list must be running a similar iOS version with your device. Else, it won’t work on their side.
Assign a reminder in a shared list
You can assign reminders to different people. Let us assume you are going camping, and you have reminders lists. You can now allocate a reminder, say bring a blanket to one friend, take a stove to another, and so on. Here’s how to assign reminders. Note: If you use a third-party keyboard, it may prevent you from seeing the assignment button. In this case, tap the reminder → tap (i) → select Assign Reminder. To remove an assignee or reassign them a reminder, tap their profile picture next to the reminder.
Organize lists into groups in Reminders in iOS 15
For organization, you can also arrange your reminder lists into different groups. This can be handy if you want to prioritize some lists over others or your lists are becoming complex and related. To do so, open the Reminders app:
How to delete a reminder
Permanently delete completed tasks
To remove all completed tasks from the Reminders app permanently:
Delete a reminder list
Note: You can not delete Smart Lists (shown on top). But you can hide them all. For this, tap Edit → uncheck the boxes → tap Done. Ready to use the Reminders app like a pro! I hope now you know how to use the Reminders app on iPhone and iPad and make the most of it. I find this inbuilt app suitable, feature-rich, and easy to use. What is your take? Let us know in the comments below. You will enjoy reading next:
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