Reminders

Built-in macOS task management app for creating to-do lists with alerts and Siri integration.

For Mac

Official website

Free + paid plans

CategoryProductivity

PlatformmacOS

InstallationHomebrew

Our review

Bundl editorial assessment

How we review apps

Reminders in August 2026 is the best free task app for people already inside Apple’s ecosystem—especially on Tahoe with Apple Intelligence action items and urgent Smart Lists. Power GTD users may still prefer Things 3 or OmniFocus, but for shared groceries, errands, and light projects, paying is optional.

Best for

Apple ecosystem users
Budget-conscious users seeking free task management
Households and families sharing grocery lists
Casual to intermediate task management needs

PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedAugust 10, 2026

What is Apple Reminders?

Apple Reminders is still free and built in on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch Watch in August 2026. On macOS Tahoe 26, Apple Intelligence can propose action items from Mail, Safari, Notes and Messages, and it can auto-sort lists into sections on Macs that support it. Recent Tahoe point updates added a shortcut to mark items urgent and filters for urgent items in Smart Lists. The next macOS 27 notes point to more Siri AI actions inside Reminders. Columns, subtasks, tags, Smart Lists, shared family lists, and grocery auto-categorization remain the core. The app started as a simple checklist and now handles light projects without a subscription. Tasks sync over iCloud and show up everywhere you sign in. You get Smart Lists, tags, subtasks, sections, location alerts, and shared lists at no cost. The Sequoia and Tahoe cycles tightened Calendar integration so dated reminders appear beside events. It is not a full project manager, but for daily errands and team tasks it covers a lot. It will not replace a heavy project tool with timelines and reports, but it handles personal and small-team work with little setup. Sharing keeps everyone in sync, and Smart Lists give each person a view of what is due, flagged, or tagged for their part.

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask reminders

Official Website

Are you the maker of Reminders?

Deep Dive: Apple Reminders Architecture and Evolution

Apple Reminders has transformed from a simple checklist tool into a sophisticated task management platform through strategic iteration across macOS, iOS, and watchOS releases.

Key Features

Smart Lists and Tags

Smart Lists are saved filters. Build a view for today, flagged items, or a tag such as #Work. Add tags to any reminder and one item can live in a list while also showing in several Smart Lists. The views update as you check things off, so you always see what is current. A useful pattern is a Today view that shows due today plus flagged items, so you see what needs attention first. You can also filter by location or by list, which helps when you only want work or home tasks.

Sections and Subtasks

Sections split a list into groups, like Produce and Dairy inside a grocery list. Subtasks break a big item into steps. Take 'Plan Summer Trip' and add 'Book flights' and 'Reserve hotel' underneath. You can fold sections to focus, and finishing every subtask marks the parent done. You can drag to reorder sections, which keeps a grocery or pack list readable.

Grocery Lists with Auto-Categorization

Change a list type to Groceries and Reminders sorts as you type. Milk goes to Dairy, bananas to Produce. The app recognizes many common items and files them by aisle. Categories are editable, and shared grocery lists update for everyone as items are checked. You can add your own aisle names if the store layout does not match the defaults.

Location-Based and Time-Based Alerts

You can trigger reminders by time or by place. Set 'Pick up dry cleaning' to fire when you pass the shop, or 'Call Mom' when you leave work. The app supports home, work, any address, and car triggers. Say to Siri 'Remind me to water the plants when I get home' and it sets the location for you. Geofencing runs in the background and uses significant location changes to keep battery use low. Custom places from Contacts make those triggers quick to set.

Siri Integration and Natural Language

Siri works across Apple devices. Ask to add milk to your grocery list or to remind you about a page you have open in Safari, and it links the page. With Apple Intelligence in 2026, the system can spot an ask in a message or email and suggest a reminder with one tap. It works hands-free on AirPods and in CarPlay as well. You can ask while your hands are busy, such as when cooking or driving, and the item appears on all devices.

Collaboration and Sharing

Any list can be shared with other Apple users. People you add can create and complete items, and you can assign a reminder to a person. Mentions with @ keep notes clear. Edits sync right away and notifications tell the group when items change. Assignment makes it clear who owns what, and mentions keep discussion tied to the right task.

Calendar Integration

On Sequoia and later, dated reminders appear in Calendar with your events. You see tasks and appointments together and can open a reminder straight from Calendar. Widgets and Focus filtering tie the two apps closer without switching back and forth. That view helps you spot an overloaded day before it happens and move a task with a click.

Apple Intelligence Action Items & Urgent Filters

On supported Macs, Apple Intelligence pulls action items from what you are reading and can drop them into sections. Tahoe also adds a key to mark urgent and Smart List filters for urgent tasks. It keeps Reminders usable for heavier planning without paying for another app. The suggestions are on-device and need an Apple Silicon Mac with supported region and language.

Who Should Use Reminders?

The Busy Parent

A parent juggling family responsibilities uses Reminders as their household command center. They maintain a shared 'Family Groceries' list that auto-categorizes items by aisle, making store trips efficient. A 'Kids Activities' list tracks soccer practices, piano lessons, and permission slips with location alerts for pickup reminders. Location-based triggers notify them to 'Buy milk' when passing the grocery store and 'Call the dentist' when leaving work. Siri integration lets them add tasks hands-free while cooking dinner or driving carpool. Smart Lists give them instant views of 'Today's Tasks' and 'Flagged' urgent items. This helps nothing falls through the cracks.

The Remote Worker

A freelance designer uses Reminders to manage client projects without expensive project management software. They create a list for each client, using sections to organize projects by phase (Discovery, Design, Review, Delivery). Subtasks break down deliverables into practical steps—under 'Website Redesign,' they track subtasks like 'Create wireframes,' 'Present to client,' and 'Finalize assets.' Tags (#Urgent, #WaitingOnClient, #Invoice) enable cross-project filtering. Shared lists collaborate with contractors, assigning specific tasks to developers. Calendar integration shows deadlines alongside meetings, and Smart Lists surface 'Assigned to Me' tasks from shared lists. Location reminders prompt them to 'Pick up supplies' when near the print shop.

The College Student

A university student uses Reminders to balance coursework, part-time work, and social life. They create lists for each class (CS101, History, Calculus) with sections for Assignments, Readings, and Exams. Subtasks break down large projects into manageable chunks—'Research Paper' becomes subtasks for outline, draft, peer review, and final submission. Siri quickly captures tasks during lectures: 'Remind me to read Chapter 5 on Thursday.' Location alerts trigger study reminders when arriving at the library. Smart Lists organized by tags (#Today, #ThisWeek, #ExamPrep) help prioritize. Shared lists coordinate group projects, assigning sections to each member. Grocery lists manage dorm supplies with auto-categorization for efficient store runs.

How to Access Apple Reminders on Mac

Apple Reminders comes pre-installed on all Mac computers running macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later. There's no separate download or installation required—it's part of the core macOS experience.

Launch Reminders

Open Reminders by clicking its icon in the Dock, searching for 'Reminders' in Spotlight (⌘+Space), or finding it in the Applications folder. On first launch, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID to enable iCloud syncing across devices.

Enable iCloud Sync

Go to System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Apps Using iCloud. Ensure Reminders is toggled ON. This syncs your tasks across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch Watch. Without iCloud, reminders stay local to your Mac only.

Grant Permissions

For location-based reminders, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Enable Location Services and ensure Reminders has permission. This allows 'when I get home' or 'when I leave work' alerts to function properly.

Pro Tips

• Pin to Dock: Right-click the Reminders app icon in the Dock > Options > Keep in Dock for instant access. Keep it visible so you use it.
• Add to Menu Bar: Use third-party utilities or Shortcuts to add a reminder count to your menu bar for quick task visibility.
• Keyboard Shortcut: Create a custom keyboard shortcut in System Settings > Keyboard > App Shortcuts to open Reminders instantly from anywhere.

Configuration Tips

Create Custom Smart Lists

Go to File > New Smart List to create filtered views. Popular options include a 'Today' Smart List showing due+flagged items, a 'Work' Smart List filtering by tag, or a 'Waiting On' list for tasks with the 'Later' tag. Smart Lists automatically update as you add or modify reminders.

Set Up Location Triggers

When creating a reminder, click the 'i' icon, enable 'Remind me at a location,' and set your home or work address. For frequently visited places, save them in Contacts with addresses—Reminders can then trigger when arriving at or leaving any contact's location.

Customize Notification Settings

Go to System Settings > Notifications > Reminders to configure how alerts appear. Enable 'Allow time sensitive alerts' for important reminders that bypass Focus modes. Set notification grouping by list or automatic for better organization in Notification Center.

Alternatives to Reminders

While Apple Reminders is and free, these third-party alternatives offer specialized features for different workflows:

Todoist

Things 3

OmniFocus

TickTick

Notion

Pricing

Free / Built-in

Apple Reminders is free and pre-installed on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch Watch. There are no Reminders-specific subscriptions or in-app purchases. iCloud sync uses your free 5 GB iCloud allotment or any paid iCloud+ plan for storage headroom. Apple Intelligence features require a supported Apple Silicon Mac, compatible OS, and region/language availability—not a separate Reminders SKU.

Pros

Completely free with no subscription or ads
Deep native integration with macOS, iOS, Siri, and Apple Watch
Smart Lists and tag system for flexible organization
Smooth iCloud sync across all Apple devices
Straightforward grocery list auto-categorization saves shopping time

Cons

Limited to Apple ecosystem—no native Windows or Android apps
No native calendar view or time-blocking features
Lacks advanced project management features like time tracking or reporting
Sharing limited to Apple ID users—no public links or guest access

Community & Support

Support runs through Apple. Documentation at support.apple.com is thorough, and the Apple Support Community has many Reminders threads. Reddit groups like r/MacOS and r/productivity share workflows and Shortcuts. There is no Discord or Slack to join, just built-in help and system updates each year after WWDC. Shortcuts shared on Reddit let you build daily and weekly review lists with a tap. If you test a beta in summer, the community notes call out what changed for Reminders before the fall release.

Frequently Asked Questions about Reminders

Is Apple Reminders completely free?

Yes, Apple Reminders is 100% free with no subscription tiers, advertisements, or in-app purchases. It comes pre-installed on every Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch Watch. All features—including iCloud sync, Smart Lists, tags, subtasks, sharing, and location-based reminders—are available at no cost. The only requirement is a free Apple ID for syncing across devices. You can also view tasks at icloud.com if you are on a borrowed computer, though the web view is simpler than the Mac app.

Can I use Reminders on Windows or Android?

No, Apple Reminders is exclusive to the Apple ecosystem. There is no native Windows app or Android app, and the web interface at iCloud.com offers limited functionality compared to the native apps. If you need cross-platform task management, consider alternatives like Todoist, TickTick, or Microsoft To Do which work across all platforms. The web app shows dates and priorities but lacks the native filters.

How do Smart Lists work in Reminders?

Smart Lists are dynamic, filtered views that automatically update based on criteria you set. Create one via File > New Smart List, then define filters like date (today, tomorrow), tags (contains #Work), priority, or list membership. Unlike regular lists where you manually add items, Smart Lists automatically populate and update as your reminders change. Popular uses include 'Today' (due today or flagged), 'Work' (tagged #Work), and 'Shopping' (from your grocery list). Tags help here: add #Work or #Errands and build a Smart List that pulls from all lists at once.

Can I share lists with people who don't have Apple devices?

Unfortunately, no. Sharing in Reminders requires all participants to have an Apple ID and an Apple device (Mac, iPhone, or iPad). There's no option for public links or guest access. For collaboration with non-Apple users, you'll need a third-party app like Todoist, Microsoft To Do, or Notion that supports cross-platform sharing.

Does Reminders work with Siri?

Yes, Reminders has excellent Siri integration. You can create reminders using natural language like 'Remind me to call Mom when I get home' or 'Add milk to my grocery list.' Siri understands dates, times, locations, and list names. You can also use 'Remind me about this' when viewing a webpage, email, or text to create a reminder linked to that content. With Apple Intelligence in 2026, Siri can even suggest reminders based on context in your conversations.

What is the grocery list auto-categorization feature?

When you set a list's type to 'Groceries' (by clicking the list name and selecting the shopping basket icon), Reminders automatically organizes items into sections like Produce, Dairy, Meat and Household as you add them. Type 'apples' and it appears under Produce; add 'shampoo' and it goes to Household. This makes shopping more efficient by grouping items by store aisle. The feature recognizes thousands of common grocery items and learns from your edits. Focus modes can hide lists tied to work when you are off the clock, and show them again when work starts.

How do I enable Calendar integration with Reminders?

Starting with macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, reminders with due dates automatically appear in the Apple Calendar app. No manual setup is required—simply ensure both Calendar and Reminders are enabled in iCloud settings (System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud). In Calendar, you'll see reminders alongside events, and you can click them to jump back to Reminders to mark complete. The Calendar widget also displays upcoming reminders.

Can I import tasks from other apps into Reminders?

Reminders has limited import capabilities compared to third-party apps. You can import ICS files via File > Import in the Reminders app on Mac. For migrating from Todoist, Things, or other apps, you'll typically need to use third-party conversion tools or Shortcuts automation to move tasks over. Apple's migration path is primarily designed for users already in the ecosystem rather than pulling users from competitors.

Is there a limit to how many reminders I can create?

Apple does not publish specific numerical limits for reminders, lists, or subtasks. In practice, users report creating thousands of reminders without issues. iCloud storage for Reminders counts against your overall iCloud quota, but reminder data is text-based and very small—thousands of reminders typically use only a few megabytes. If you reach practical limits, consider archiving completed lists or using external reference systems for completed historical tasks.

How do location-based reminders work?

Location reminders use your device's GPS to trigger alerts when arriving at or leaving a specific place. Create a reminder, click the 'i' icon, enable 'Remind me at a location,' and select or type an address. You can choose 'Arriving' or 'Leaving' triggers. For best results, ensure Location Services is enabled (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services) and that Reminders has location permission. Location reminders work with custom addresses, saved contact addresses, and general locations like 'in my car.'

About the Author

Jordan Kim

Productivity & Workflow Analyst

Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management

8+ years in operations management · PMP certified

Expert Tips for Reminders

For most Apple households, Reminders plus Calendar beats paying for Todoist/Things unless you need cross-platform non-Apple clients or advanced GTD views.

Hands-on TestingHigh Confidence

Apple Intelligence list cleanup is the 2026 differentiator—but only on AI-capable hardware; older Intel Macs keep classic Reminders without those automations.

Official DocsHigh Confidence

Related Technologies & Concepts

Apple RemindersApple IntelligenceiCloudSmart ListsSirimacOS

Sources & References

Fact-Checked

Last verified: Aug 9, 2026

Key Verified Facts

Apple Reminders is free and built into macOS with no separate subscription.[1][2]
macOS Tahoe enables Apple Intelligence to find action items and categorize reminders into sections.[3]
macOS Tahoe updates add urgent keyboard shortcuts and urgent filters in Smart Lists.[4]
Siri AI is positioned to take actions in Reminders among other apps in Apple’s latest OS messaging.[5]