Apple’s Reminders app has evolved from a simple list app into a robust task management tool, especially with its latest enhancements in iOS 18. Here are seven impressive features that power users should explore.
#1: Sections within Lists
While lists often require headings, they can also be enhanced with subheadings.
Thankfully, the Reminders app provides a feature known as ‘Sections’ to create these subheadings.
To get started, open a list and tap the three dots in the top-right corner, then look for the ‘New Section’ option.
Sections allow for better organization by categorizing your tasks. Although they don’t modify task metadata, they visually separate your reminders effectively.
Once sections are set up, you can easily drag and drop tasks into the relevant subheadings.
#2: Column View
Additionally, Reminders allows you to view tasks in a Trello-style column format.
If a long, single list feels overwhelming, click the three-dot icon and select ‘View as List.’
This view may not appear significantly different without sections, but with sections in place, you’ll see them arranged side by side. It’s a helpful visual tool that simplifies moving tasks between sections.
#3: Location-based Reminders
A long-time favorite of mine is the feature that allows you to set reminders based on your location (like arriving home).
I commonly use Siri for this, simply saying, “Remind me to do X when I get home.”
Alternatively, you can open a reminder’s details by selecting the ‘i’ button and set up a location-based reminder manually.
#4: Share Lists and Assign Tasks
With Reminders, you can share your lists with others to collaborate. While some task management apps require a premium for this feature, Apple provides it free of charge for all users.
Once your shared list is ready, you can assign tasks to your collaborators. They will receive notifications for their assigned tasks, helping clarify responsibilities and accountability within team projects.
#5: Templates
If your work involves recurring projects with a specific list of tasks, Reminders has a Templates feature.
Templates allow you to save lists of reminders for easy access later.
This means if you consistently need to accomplish a set list of tasks, you can convert that list into a template and recreate it with just a few taps when needed.
To save a list as a template, open it, tap the three dots in the corner, and select ‘Save as Template.’
#6: Smart Lists
Initially, the Smart Lists feature in Reminders was not customizable, but Apple has since significantly improved it.
Now, when you create a new list, you can choose the ‘Smart List’ type. This allows you to apply various filters to include tasks based on:
- Tags
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Flag
- Priority
- Lists
You can set your Smart List to work with ‘any’ or ‘all’ of these filter categories, providing extensive flexibility to tailor your lists precisely as needed.
While I don’t personally use tagging, it’s a significant feature for many advanced users in task management and file organization. The Reminders app fully supports tagging.
If the conventional organization into tasks and sections doesn’t meet your needs, you can utilize tags to create a Smart List based on chosen tags.
What power user features do you enjoy in Apple’s Reminders app? Share your thoughts in the comments.
