The Reminders application in iOS 26 is not only a smart tool but also productivity-focused, perfectly complementing Apple’s latest updates such as Apple Intelligence and Liquid Glass UI. This article explicates all features, workflows, and settings at your disposal, which can help you gain proficiency in using the Reminders app on your iPhone or iPad.
🔍 What’s New in Remnders App
Liquid Glass Design
- See-through, smooth interface
- Dark mode compatible with faint animation
- Adjusts automatically according to user’s wallpaper and system colors
Intelligent Reminder Capture
- Control Center Shortcut: Quickly set reminders without unlocking the phone.
- Action Button Integration: The Action Button can also be used as a shortcut for the reminder creation.
- Lock Screen Quick Add: Quick access directly from the lock screen.
Apple Intelligence-Powered Smart Features
- Smart Lists: Automatically sorts reminders into groups by context, behavior, and tags.
- Suggested Tasks: Finds tasks that are hidden in conversation, emails, and browsing.
- Call-Back Reminders: Medium call swipes in the Phone app facilitate reminder creation.
📲 Setting Up the Reminders App
- Settings → Apple ID → iCloud
- Tap “See All” under Apps Using iCloud
- Enable “Reminders” for seamless syncing across devices
✅ Creating Reminders
Method 1: Inside the Reminders App
- Go to the Reminders app.
- Press New Reminder.
- Type a title and note.
- Tap Details to:
- Track time & date
- Provide location
- Importance level
- Upload pictures or files
- Share with friends (in shared lists)
Method 2: Calendar App Integration
- Go to Calendar → Click +
- Choose Reminder Tab
- Enter title and date/time → Click Details
- Click Add to confirm
Method 3: Using Siri
“Hey Siri, remind me to send the email at 6 p.m. today.”
- Supports natural language
- Adds attachments if invoked from Safari, Mail, Notes
Method 4: Using Share Sheet
- Tap Share in any app → Choose Reminders
- Add a note, schedule → Tap Add
⏱️ Advanced Features for Reminders App
Time, Location & Flag Settings
| Feature | Action |
|---|---|
| Set Date & Time | Select from quick options or tap “Custom” |
| Location | Tap arrow icon → Choose or search location |
| Flag | Use flag icon to prioritize |
| Attachments | Tap camera icon → Add image or scanned doc |
| Assign Task | Use “Assign” icon in shared list environment |
Custom Notification Time for All-Day Reminders
Settings → Reminders → Time under All-Day Reminders → Set preferred time
🧠 Smart Suggestions & AI Assistance
- Auto-Suggestions: As you type, the app recalls similar tasks
- Contextual Fill: Based on time of day, location, or app usage
- Behavioral Predictions: AI-powered scheduling suggestions
🧩 Organizing Reminders App with Lists
Create a New List
- Open Reminders → Tap Add List
- Name your list, choose icon and color
- Tap Done
Create Sections Within Lists
- Tap … > New Section
- Add title → Tap Return
Reorder Tasks
- Drag & drop to change priority
- Tap … > Sort By to select the sorting criteria
🔁 Automate Tasks with Smart Lists
Smart Lists automatically group reminders with filters.
Create Smart List
- Tap Add List > Smart List
- Tap Edit Filters
- Select: Date/Time/Location Tags PriorityFlags
- Date/Time
- Location
- Tags
- Priority
- Flags
- Pick icon, color, emoji → Tap Done
🧾 Creating Grocery Lists with Auto-Categorization
- Put “milk,” “eggs,” and “rice” on one list
- Items are automatically arranged under categories such as Dairy, Grains
- You have the possibility to change categories and/or create new ones
🗂️ Managing Tags for Better Organization
Add Tags to Tasks
- Navigate to Reminder Details → Tags → Add New Tag
Bulk Tagging
- Access list → Tap … > Select Items
- Go to reminders → Tap More > Add Tag
Manage Tags
- Tap tag → Tap More Rename or Delete
- Rename or Delete
👥 Share and Assign Reminders
Share List with Others
- Access list → Tap Share icon
- Select sharing method (Messages, Mail, etc.)
Assign Tasks
- In the shared list, tap a reminder. Tap Assign → Choose a person.
Manage Shared Lists
- Tap the Collaborate icon > Manage Shared List
- Change permissions or end sharing
🔄 Subtasks and Hierarchical Task Management
Create Subtasks
Method 1: Tap (i) → Subtasks → Add Items Method 2: Swipe right → Tap Indent Method 3: Drag one reminder over another
✔️ Marking Tasks Complete
Mark as Done
- Notification Center: Tap-hold → Mark as Completed
- Inside App: Tap circle beside the reminder.
View Completed Tasks
- Go to Completed Folder or tap … > Show Completed
🧹 Deleting Reminders & Lists
Delete a Single Reminder
- Swipe left → Tap Delete
Bulk Delete
- Tap … > Select Items > Trash
Recently Deleted
- To recover files within 30 days, navigate to the Recently Deleted folder
Delete a List
- Swipe left on the list. Tap Trash icon
- Or, enter list → Tap … > Delete List
📲 Home Screen Widgets & Notification Badges
Add Widget
- Long-press Home Screen → Tap + > Reminders
- Choose widget size and location
Enable Badge
Settings → Reminders → Include Due Today → Toggle ON
🌐 Grocery List Language Preferences
Settings → Reminders → Grocery Categorization → Add Language
- Toggle Set Automatically or choose specific languages manually
⚡ Shortcuts for Power Users
- Open Shortcuts → Gallery → Search: Reminders
- Add Batch Add Reminders to import multiple tasks at once
💊 Medication Reminders via Health App
- Set medications via Health app → Syncs automatically with Reminders
Summary
The Reminders app in iOS 26 is a robust productivity powerhouse. With AI-driven suggestions, seamless integrations, shared task lists, and a visually intuitive interface, managing both simple and complex tasks has never been more efficient. Whether you’re managing personal tasks, collaborating on projects, or automating shopping routines, this app is equipped to streamline every part of your day. Make the most of these powerful features, and let the Reminders app transform your workflow—one smart notification at a time.