5 Apple Reminder Tips to SAVE YOU TIME

Five Essential Apple Reminders Tips to Boost Productivity

Author

Ark
June 17, 2025

Apple Reminders is a powerful tool for managing tasks and staying organized. Whether you’re grocery shopping, planning a trip, or maintaining daily routines, these five tips will help you make the most of Apple Reminders to streamline your life.

1. Leverage the Grocery List Feature

Apple Reminders offers a dedicated grocery list type that automatically categorizes items as you add them, saving you time at the store. No more backtracking because of an unorganized list! To create one:

  • Open the Reminders app, tap Add List, and select Groceries as the list type.

  • Name your list, choose an icon, and tap Done.

  • Add items like “milk,” “rice,” or “candy,” and watch them automatically sort into categories like Dairy, Grains, or Snacks. You can manually adjust categories if needed.

This feature ensures you navigate the store efficiently, with items grouped logically by section.

2. Set Custom Reoccurring Reminders

For tasks that don’t fit standard daily, weekly, or monthly schedules, Apple Reminders allows custom repeat intervals. Need to clean your bedsheets every 10 days? Here’s how:

  • Create a new reminder (e.g., “Clean bedsheets”).

  • Tap the info icon, select Repeat, and choose Custom.

  • Set the frequency to daily, weekly, or monthly, and specify the interval (e.g., every 10 days).

This flexibility is perfect for unique schedules, ensuring you never miss a task.

3. Use Templates for Recurring Lists

Templates are a game-changer for lists you reuse often, like packing lists or job application checklists. To create a template:

  • Build a list in Reminders (e.g., an international travel packing list with essentials, hygiene, and electronics).

  • Tap the three-dot menu in the top right, select Save as Template, and name it.

  • Access templates via New List > Templates, then create a new list from the template (e.g., “Japan Travel Packing List”). Edit the template anytime to add new items.

Templates save time by eliminating the need to recreate lists for recurring tasks.

Integrate Apple Notes with Reminders to keep your tasks and notes connected. To link a note:

  • In the Notes app, tap the share button and select Reminders.

  • Choose the list (e.g., Brain Dump or Today), add details like flags or priority, and save.

  • In Reminders, tap the note’s title to jump back to the original note.

This feature is ideal for referencing detailed information tied to a task, like a recipe or project notes.

5. Automate with Shortcuts for Daily Routines

Combining Shortcuts with Reminders can automate daily routines, like morning or nighttime checklists. Here’s how to set it up:

  • Create a Shortcut: In the Shortcuts app, tap +, search for Add New Reminder, and add multiple tasks (e.g., “Brush teeth,” “5-minute meditation,” and “Drink water”). Assign them to a specific list (e.g., Routines) and flag them for your Today smart list.

  • Set Up Automation: In Shortcuts, create a Personal Automation for Time of Day (e.g., 8:00 AM daily). Choose Run After Confirmation to get a prompt, then select your shortcut (e.g., Morning Routine).

  • Use with Smart List: Ensure your Today smart list includes flagged items (set filters to “Any” and include “Flagged”). When the automation runs, your routine tasks appear in Today.

You can also use shortcuts like the Expiration Date shortcut to track grocery expirations. Add it from the Shortcuts Gallery, then use it to log items like “Peanut butter expires August 2025,” which auto-categorizes in your grocery list.

Bonus: Siri and Apple Watch Integration

  • Use Siri to run shortcuts (e.g., “Hey Siri, add expiration reminder for eggs in one week”).

  • Pair with an Apple Watch to view and check off reminders on the go, making it easier to stick to routines.

Conclusion

These five tips—grocery lists, custom reminders, templates, note integration, and shortcut automation—transform Apple Reminders into a productivity powerhouse. Start small with one or two features, and gradually incorporate more to fit your lifestyle. For more advanced tips, explore additional shortcuts or check out related tutorials for a deeper dive into Apple’s ecosystem.

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