10 Key Tips to Get More From Apple Reminders on iPhone

Everyone who uses Apple Reminders on iOS needs to know about these cool features and tricks that make the app much more useful.

Using Apple Reminders is a great way to keep track of your appointments, birthdays, time-sensitive tasks, and much more. If you're a forgetful person, using Reminders can make your life easier and simpler—no more upset friends because you forgot their birthday.

While Reminders for iPhone is incredibly easy to use, people can often forget that it has many features hidden under the surface, like being able to add locations and attachments. Read on to learn neat tips that will help you have the best experience with Apple Reminders.

1. Add Location to a Reminder

On iPhone or any other Apple device like a MacBook or an iPad, you can add a location to your Reminders. When you add a location, it will notify you based on where you are. Tap the Location icon on the Reminders toolbar and it will have a few options, including Getting in car and Getting out of car. You can also customize it to any location you like.

If you want to set your current location, you may have to turn on precise location access. To do so, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, then tap Reminders to customize Location Access for the app.

2. Add URLs and Notes

In Reminders, you can also add URLs and Notes by tapping the small i icon that appears next to a reminder when editing it, or by swiping from the right and choosing Details.

You can use the small section reserved for adding a URL. This could be handy, for example, if you're planning to order a bouquet at a flower shop and want to jump right to the product you're interested in. You can also add Notes to further elaborate on your reminder, in case it isn't clear on its own.

3. Organize With Subtasks

If you are the type of person that needs sub-lists under a general list, this handy feature is for you. You can easily create subtasks under a reminder to split it up into further jobs. For instance, if you are going to a store and have the trip as Reminder, you can create subtasks to make a list of items you need to buy at the store you're going to.

There are three ways to create a subtask:

• Swipe from left to right to show the Indent button.
• Swipe from right to left and tap Details.There, scroll down and tap Subtasks to start creating them.
• Hold a reminder and drag it onto another reminder. The reminder that you moved becomes a subtask of the reminder you placed it on.

Related: Use Siri and Apple Reminders for the Best Shopping Lists on iPhone

4. Use Siri With Reminders

Siri is one of the most useful tools you have on your iPhone; unsurprisingly, it helpfully links with Reminders. You can ask Siri to create reminders for you, using commands like "Siri, remind me to take my medicine at 7 in the morning."

This becomes particularly useful when your hands are full and you can't use your device to type out the reminder yourself. It's also much faster than manually entering in the details, so give Siri a try to save time with your reminders.

5. Share Reminder Lists

Another great feature in Reminders is being able to share your lists with others. When you need to let other people know your task plans but don't feel like drafting a new text, you can share your Reminders lists instead.

To share your lists, tap a list under My Lists from the main screen of Reminders, followed by the three-dot more button at the top-right corner. Choose Share List, then set the Share Options and pick how you want to share the list.

Once someone accepts an invite, they will be able to make changes to the reminders in that list. They can only see the list you shared with them; your other Reminders lists are private.

6. Add a Reminder Connected to an App

If you like, you can create a new reminder right from another app on your iPhone. For instance, you can remind yourself to read an article in a news app, or watch a movie on Netflix. Do this by tapping on the Share button in any app, then choosing Reminders.

7. Try "When Messaging"

This feature is similar to adding a location for your Reminders. If you want to be reminded of something next time you're texting a friend—maybe you want to ask them to bring something when they visit—this is quite handy.

To turn it on for a reminder, tap the i button when editing or swipe from right to left and choose Details. In the resulting menu, turn on When Messaging, and you will receive a notification from Reminders when you next open a Messages thread with that person.

8. Include Attachments

Like adding a URL as mentioned above, by adding an attachment to a reminder, you can easily keep everything related to a task in one place. For example, if you are going to an appointment and need a document for it, you can add it as an attachment.

To add an attachment, hit the camera icon on the bottom bar of the Reminders app. You can choose from your library, take a new photo, or scan a document.

9. Flag a Reminder

Flagging a reminder is another part of your toolkit for staying organized. If you have many reminders floating around, you can prioritize the ones that are most urgent.

To flag a reminder, tap on the flag icon that appears when editing it, or swipe from right to left and hit Flag. It will then appear in the Flagged list on the main screen of Reminders, letting you see the most important tasks in one place.

Read more: How to Use Priority Tags in the Apple Reminders App

10. Move a Reminder to Another List

This last Apple Reminders feature will save you time if you make the mistake of adding a reminder to the wrong list. In this case, you can move it to the correct one.

To do so, tap and hold a reminder in any list, then keep it held with one finger. With another finger, tap Lists in the top-left to go back to the main screen, then drop your held reminder to the correct list.

Take Apple Reminders Much Further

With these tips, you can do a lot more with Apple Reminders. Stay organized and reduce stress by making it easy to add, organize, and even share your tasks in Reminders.

About The Author