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    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Use the Reminders App on iPhone

    The Reminders app on iPhone is a built-in to-do list and task manager. Learn how to create reminders, set due dates, add locations.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Phone & Tablet
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    reminders
    iphone
    to-do list
    tasks
    apple
    productivity
    organization

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Open Reminders and create a list
    2. 2.Add a reminder
    3. 3.Set a time reminder
    4. 4.Set a location-based reminder
    5. 5.Share a list with family
    1

    Open Reminders and create a list

    ~16s
    Open the Reminders app (orange and white icon with a checkmark). Tap "Add List" at the bottom right. Name the list (like "Groceries," "To Do," or "Errands"). Pick a color and icon for it. Tap "Done." You can have as many lists as you want.
    2

    Add a reminder

    ~24s
    Tap the list you want to add to. Tap the "+" button or tap "New Reminder" at the bottom. Type what you need to remember. Tap the information icon (ⓘ) next to the reminder to add details: due date, time, notes, priority, or a location.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Say "Hey Siri, remind me to take my medication at 8 AM every morning" and Siri adds a daily recurring reminder without you touching the phone.

    3

    Set a time reminder

    ~17s
    Tap the ⓘ info button next to any reminder. Toggle on "Date" and select a day. Toggle on "Time" and set the hour. The reminder notification will appear on your phone at that exact time. Tap "Repeat" to make it recur — daily, weekly, monthly, or on custom days.
    4

    Set a location-based reminder

    ~18s
    Tap the ⓘ info button → toggle on "Location." Choose "Current Location," "Getting In a Car" (uses CarPlay), or type a specific address. Choose whether to trigger the reminder when "Arriving" or "Leaving" the location. For example: "Arriving" at your grocery store triggers the reminder when you pull into the parking lot.
    5

    Share a list with family

    ~18s
    Tap the list name at the top → the three dots (...) → "Share List." Enter a family member's name, phone number, or email address. They receive an invitation. Once accepted, they see the list on their own Reminders app and can add, complete, or delete items. Great for shared grocery or chore lists.

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    The Reminders app comes pre-installed on every iPhone and iPad. It is Apple's built-in task manager — a place to keep lists of things you need to do, items you need to buy, and errands you need to run.

    Reminders is great because it connects directly with Siri. You can add items to any list by talking: "Hey Siri, remind me to call the doctor at 2 PM tomorrow" — and it is added instantly, no typing needed.

    Key features:

    - Due dates and times: Set reminders to alert you at a specific time — or on multiple days (every Monday, every morning) - Location reminders: Remind yourself when you arrive at a location ("Remind me to buy milk when I arrive at the grocery store") or when you leave ("Remind me to lock the door when I leave home") - Multiple lists: Keep separate lists for different purposes — Groceries, Work, Personal, Family - Sharing: Share a list with a family member so you both see it and can add to it - Subtasks: Break bigger tasks into smaller steps - iCloud sync: Your reminders appear on iPhone, iPad, and Mac automatically

    Reminders syncs via iCloud, so items added on your iPhone appear on your Mac and iPad too.

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    reminders
    iphone
    to-do list
    tasks
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    productivity
    organization

    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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