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The Reminders app on the iPhone is probably one of the most underrated apps made by Apple. On the surface, it’s a simple to-do list app: You can use Siri to add reminders, receive notifications, and check them off. But hiding beneath the surface is a complex program, with features that help you get the job done in the right context and at the right time. You can organize your list as a Kanban board, set loud alarms for important reminders, manage tasks from the Calendar app, and create your own smart lists. Here are 10 ways to get the most from your Reminders app:<\/p>\n
Use “When Message Send” to get a reminder when sending a message to a specific contact<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nIf you need to ask your friend or colleague something, but you frequently forget, Reminders has a feature that can help. When “Messaging” adds a task to a contact, the next time you text them, Messages reminds you about it. However, this feature is a bit hidden: when you create a new task, tap the “i” icon to go to the detailed view. Scroll to the bottom and enable the “When messaging” toggle. Next, select a contact from your contact book. The next time you talk to them on iMessage, you’ll get a notification from the Reminders app.<\/p>\n
Use Kanban view for complex lists<\/h2>\n\n\n ![\"Kanban](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-6.fill.size_2000x1500.v1776922121.png\")
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nKanban view converts your list into a column-based interface. Any section you create becomes a column of its own. This works best on a Mac, but you can scroll columns easily on an iPhone as well. I find this view ideal for anyone who uses an assembly-based task management workflow, where you need to track a task between multiple stages. For example, my article management list might have several sections: “Pitch,” “Accepted,” “Writing,” “Edit,” “Published,” etc. This way, I can easily track the progress of each of my articles. You should experiment with how a column-based interface can help you. Start by creating sections. tap menu<\/strong> button, select add section<\/strong>And give it a title. Then, tap view as column<\/strong> button from menu<\/strong> To switch to Kanban view. For more information, check out my detailed guide on using the Kanban view in Reminders.<\/p>\nUse Calendar’s built-in reminder feature to sync tasks across both apps <\/h2>\n\n\n ![\"The](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-5.fill.size_2000x1500.v1776922121.png\")
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nIf you’re a visual planner, you’ll want to see your tasks alongside your schedules as you plan your day. But not all calendar events can be tasks. You can solve this problem by turning your reminder into a calendar event. The feature is enabled by default: all you need to do is set up the Calendar app. All your reminders with due date and due time will automatically appear in the Calendar app with a checkbox. You can also drag and move a task into the calendar, and there’s also an option to add a task to a reminder from the Calendar app. just hit plus<\/strong> button and then switch to reminder<\/strong> Tab.<\/p>\n\n\n ![\"Automatic](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-3.fill.size_2000x1499.v1776922121.png\")
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\n Credit: Apple<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nOrganizing a shopping list can be a challenge. You have a long list of things to pick up, and you end up running from one aisle to the next. Instead of using a specialized grocery shopping list, use the auto-organizing “Groceries” list built into Reminders. If you’re using iOS 17 or higher, you’ll see a suggestion to create a new groceries list when you start entering items. If not, you can tap plus<\/strong> button to create a new list, and select Groceries in “List Type.” Now, when you enter a new item in the list, it will be categorized automatically. Sourdough will go in the bread section, tomatoes in the produce section, chicken thighs in the meat section, and so on.<\/p>\nSet alarms so you never miss important reminders<\/h2>\n\n\n ![\"Alarm](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-2.fill.size_2000x1125.v1776922121.png\")
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nIt’s easy to miss reminders if your iPhone is away from you, or if you have Do Not Disturb enabled. This could spell disaster, especially for important alerts. Instead of setting a separate alarm from the Clock app, you can now add an alarm to any reminder using the new Urgent setting on iPhones running iOS 26.2 and higher. Go to the detailed view of a task, specify a due date and time, and then enable “Immediate.” (The first time you do this, you’ll receive a request to integrate with iOS’s Alarms.) Now, when the reminder is due, you’ll see a full-screen interface with the reminder at the top. Like a traditional alarm, there will be an option to slide to pause, and you’ll also see a big blue “Snooze” button.<\/p>\n
Create shared lists to assign tasks to family members or teammates<\/h2>\n\n\n ![\"Share](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-1.fill.size_2000x1501.v1776922121.png\")
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\n Credit: Apple<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nReminders has a built-in collaboration feature that you can use to create shared lists with your family members and your coworkers. It’s not as feature-rich as dedicated tools like Todoist, but for sharing day-to-day tasks, it’s more than enough. Go to a list, tap share<\/strong> Click the button, and choose how to share the invitation, using message or mail. Once they are added to the list, you can assign a task by simply typing “@ their names<\/strong>\u201cIn the work itself. <\/p>\nUse templates to quickly reuse existing lists<\/h2>\n\n\n ![\"Reminder](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-11.fill.size_2000x1499.v1776945209.png\")
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nIf you find yourself using the same list over and over again, you should turn it into a template. This way, the next time you need it, it will automatically be filled with the same sections, tasks, and subtasks without the need to recreate those things. To get started, go to a list, tap menu<\/strong> At the top, select More save as Template<\/strong>. Give the template a name and save it. The next time you want to create a new list based on a template, tap menu<\/strong>choose templates<\/strong>And choose a template to recreate the list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n What do you think so far?
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Use subtasks to create complex workflows<\/h2>\n\n\n ![\"Subtasks](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-7.fill.size_2000x1017.v1776922121.png\")
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nEach task in Reminders can contain multiple sub-tasks, and each sub-task can have its own due date, notes, tags, assignments, and more. It lets you break down complex tasks into a visual hierarchy without a complicated project management app. It all works with a simple prompt: first type your main task, press Enter, then start typing your sub-task, which will initially appear as another task entry. For example, in your newsletter list, you might have a main task called “Update Interview Section,” which includes subtasks like “Schedule Interview with Guest” and “Approve Questions.” After you’ve written your subtasks, swipe right on the task and select indent<\/strong> To indent it. It will be immediately added to the task above it as a subtask. This is now a subtask. You can now expand or collapse the main task.<\/p>\n\n\n ![\"Tags](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-8.fill.size_2000x1500.v1776922121.png\")
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\n Credit: Apple<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nTags help you stay organized without the effort. When you’re adding tasks, start by tagging them with a category using the “#<\/strong>“Symbol. Use tags like #work, #shopping, and #home. Then, tap a tag to see all the tasks associated with it. At the bottom of the home page in the Reminders app, you’ll see all your tags. Tap a tag to see all tagged tasks.<\/p>\nUse smart lists to organize reminders<\/h2>\n\n\n ![\"Smart](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPWCZNQM7B66X7TBYDC2Z0FV\/images-10.fill.size_2000x1500.v1776945209.png\")
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nOnce you’ve mastered subtasks and tags, start using smart lists. Smart Lists in Reminders are customized filters that you can stack to create highly specific collections of tasks. For example, you can create a smart list that includes all the tasks tagged with “#work” that are scheduled and assigned to you in a week in your office. <\/p>\n
To create a custom smart list, go to the Reminders home page, tap plus<\/strong> To create a new list at the top, and in list type<\/strong>switch on smart list<\/strong>. Again Manage Smart List<\/strong>Enable the filters you need. These can be based on tags, flags, due dates, locations, priorities, and tasks, among other lists. A new custom list will appear on your Reminders home screen. You can pin it on the top part if you intend to use it again and again. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n If you need to ask your friend or colleague something, but you frequently forget, Reminders has a feature that can help. When “Messaging” adds a task to a contact, the next time you text them, Messages reminds you about it. However, this feature is a bit hidden: when you create a new task, tap the “i” icon to go to the detailed view. Scroll to the bottom and enable the “When messaging” toggle. Next, select a contact from your contact book. The next time you talk to them on iMessage, you’ll get a notification from the Reminders app.<\/p>\n \n Kanban view converts your list into a column-based interface. Any section you create becomes a column of its own. This works best on a Mac, but you can scroll columns easily on an iPhone as well. I find this view ideal for anyone who uses an assembly-based task management workflow, where you need to track a task between multiple stages. For example, my article management list might have several sections: “Pitch,” “Accepted,” “Writing,” “Edit,” “Published,” etc. This way, I can easily track the progress of each of my articles. You should experiment with how a column-based interface can help you. Start by creating sections. tap menu<\/strong> button, select add section<\/strong>And give it a title. Then, tap view as column<\/strong> button from menu<\/strong> To switch to Kanban view. For more information, check out my detailed guide on using the Kanban view in Reminders.<\/p>\n \n If you’re a visual planner, you’ll want to see your tasks alongside your schedules as you plan your day. But not all calendar events can be tasks. You can solve this problem by turning your reminder into a calendar event. The feature is enabled by default: all you need to do is set up the Calendar app. All your reminders with due date and due time will automatically appear in the Calendar app with a checkbox. You can also drag and move a task into the calendar, and there’s also an option to add a task to a reminder from the Calendar app. just hit plus<\/strong> button and then switch to reminder<\/strong> Tab.<\/p>\n \n Organizing a shopping list can be a challenge. You have a long list of things to pick up, and you end up running from one aisle to the next. Instead of using a specialized grocery shopping list, use the auto-organizing “Groceries” list built into Reminders. If you’re using iOS 17 or higher, you’ll see a suggestion to create a new groceries list when you start entering items. If not, you can tap plus<\/strong> button to create a new list, and select Groceries in “List Type.” Now, when you enter a new item in the list, it will be categorized automatically. Sourdough will go in the bread section, tomatoes in the produce section, chicken thighs in the meat section, and so on.<\/p>\n \n It’s easy to miss reminders if your iPhone is away from you, or if you have Do Not Disturb enabled. This could spell disaster, especially for important alerts. Instead of setting a separate alarm from the Clock app, you can now add an alarm to any reminder using the new Urgent setting on iPhones running iOS 26.2 and higher. Go to the detailed view of a task, specify a due date and time, and then enable “Immediate.” (The first time you do this, you’ll receive a request to integrate with iOS’s Alarms.) Now, when the reminder is due, you’ll see a full-screen interface with the reminder at the top. Like a traditional alarm, there will be an option to slide to pause, and you’ll also see a big blue “Snooze” button.<\/p>\n \n Reminders has a built-in collaboration feature that you can use to create shared lists with your family members and your coworkers. It’s not as feature-rich as dedicated tools like Todoist, but for sharing day-to-day tasks, it’s more than enough. Go to a list, tap share<\/strong> Click the button, and choose how to share the invitation, using message or mail. Once they are added to the list, you can assign a task by simply typing “@ their names<\/strong>\u201cIn the work itself. <\/p>\n \n If you find yourself using the same list over and over again, you should turn it into a template. This way, the next time you need it, it will automatically be filled with the same sections, tasks, and subtasks without the need to recreate those things. To get started, go to a list, tap menu<\/strong> At the top, select More save as Template<\/strong>. Give the template a name and save it. The next time you want to create a new list based on a template, tap menu<\/strong>choose templates<\/strong>And choose a template to recreate the list. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What do you think so far? \n Each task in Reminders can contain multiple sub-tasks, and each sub-task can have its own due date, notes, tags, assignments, and more. It lets you break down complex tasks into a visual hierarchy without a complicated project management app. It all works with a simple prompt: first type your main task, press Enter, then start typing your sub-task, which will initially appear as another task entry. For example, in your newsletter list, you might have a main task called “Update Interview Section,” which includes subtasks like “Schedule Interview with Guest” and “Approve Questions.” After you’ve written your subtasks, swipe right on the task and select indent<\/strong> To indent it. It will be immediately added to the task above it as a subtask. This is now a subtask. You can now expand or collapse the main task.<\/p>\n \n Tags help you stay organized without the effort. When you’re adding tasks, start by tagging them with a category using the “#<\/strong>“Symbol. Use tags like #work, #shopping, and #home. Then, tap a tag to see all the tasks associated with it. At the bottom of the home page in the Reminders app, you’ll see all your tags. Tap a tag to see all tagged tasks.<\/p>\n \n Once you’ve mastered subtasks and tags, start using smart lists. Smart Lists in Reminders are customized filters that you can stack to create highly specific collections of tasks. For example, you can create a smart list that includes all the tasks tagged with “#work” that are scheduled and assigned to you in a week in your office. <\/p>\n To create a custom smart list, go to the Reminders home page, tap plus<\/strong> To create a new list at the top, and in list type<\/strong>switch on smart list<\/strong>. Again Manage Smart List<\/strong>Enable the filters you need. These can be based on tags, flags, due dates, locations, priorities, and tasks, among other lists. A new custom list will appear on your Reminders home screen. You can pin it on the top part if you intend to use it again and again. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nUse Kanban view for complex lists<\/h2>\n
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nUse Calendar’s built-in reminder feature to sync tasks across both apps <\/h2>\n
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
\n Credit: Apple<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nSet alarms so you never miss important reminders<\/h2>\n
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nCreate shared lists to assign tasks to family members or teammates<\/h2>\n
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\n Credit: Apple<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nUse templates to quickly reuse existing lists<\/h2>\n
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nUse subtasks to create complex workflows<\/h2>\n
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
\n Credit: Apple<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nUse smart lists to organize reminders<\/h2>\n
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\n Credit: Khamosh Pathak<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n