The incredible usefulness of Reminders

by | Oct 1, 2020 | Professional | 0 comments

I’ve used several task methods over the years to stay organized. I still use a few like OmniFocus and the ToDo lists in Outlook for work-related tasks. However, I’ve just discovered how useful the Apple Reminders app can be for those little things I need to do every day or just something I want to remind myself about, particularly at a specific time.

Reminders coupled with Siri has been a game-changer for me. Reminders has some nice features like repeating on a regular schedule, so I can make sure I do the thing every day, every week, etc.

Fine... you cna't have any chocolate chips until you do the thing.

I can though.

from Allie Brosh's Solutions and Other Problems
from “Hyperbole and a Half” by Allie Brosh. Buy it! This book is amazing!

iCloud Sync

To make sure this works with all of your Apple devices, check to see if the Reminders app is using iCloud.

  1. From your iPhone open the Settings app
  2. Click on your Apple ID settings at the top
  3. Select iCloud
  4. Check under Apps Using iCloud and make sure Reminders is turned on.

Using Siri to set up Quick Reminders

This works remarkably well if you have an Apple Watch, but you can also use your iPhone, iPad, or Apple computer. Just say something like “Hey Siri, remind me to do the thing at 1 pm today”. She’ll say Done and it should show up in your Reminders list.

Do the thing this afternoon 13:00
Screenshot of Apple Watch

At the specified time, an alert will pop up on all of your synced devices reminding you to do the thing.

Put a load of laundry in the washer? Set a reminder to put the freshly washed laundry in the dryer so you don’t let them set until they are moldy and gross.

“Hey Siri, remind me to put the clothes in the dryer in 45 minutes”.

Need to send your best friend a birthday card? Set a reminder. You can even specify sub-tasks like buying the card and mailing it.

I used to set up calendar events or timers for these types of things, but I like this method better because I have to actually check them off to make them go away. There is a certain satisfaction of checking off items to make you feel like you are accomplishing something even on days where the list seems endless.

You can even share Reminders lists with family or roommates and assign them tasks! They may not like you after that, though.

iOS 14

If you are using iOS 14, you can even set up a widget on your main screen to see your Reminders. I have mine set to the Today view so I know what’s coming up.

iPhone screenshot

Give it a shot. It will free your mind up for more important things like making sure you vote on November 3rd! In fact, set a Reminder! This election is important!

2023 Update – Reminders and Storage Issues

One issue I have seen with using Reminders with iCloud Sync is that if you have a lot of Reminders, they can fill up your storage over time. If you have an Apple Watch this can be problematic as you may not have enough storage to update your watch.

The solution is to remove completed Reminders. This is possible using the Reminders app on your phone or your Mac. Unfortunately, this seems to be a manual process at this time and not a setting. I guess you can get very meta and set a Reminder to remind you to clear your Reminders.

  1. On the Reminders app on your iPhone or Mac, select the Completed smart list.
  2. Tap the Clear link next to the number of Completed Reminders
    Clear completed Reminders
  3. Choose from “Older than a month” or “All Completed”

See the Reminder User Guide for more details.

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