How to customize tasks in the Reminders app on iPhone and iPad

Reminders App Hero
Reminders App Hero (Image credit: Luke Filipowicz / iMore)

Customized Reminders List Hero (Image credit: Luke Filipowicz / iMore)

Sometimes your to-do lists get long and need some organization, or maybe the tasks you want to complete have additional steps that you would feel more comfortable having a written reminder of those steps. Reminders in iOS 15 can help with that.

Once you've created tasks in Reminders, you can customize a whole bunch of things to make your to-do list as organized and detailed as you want. Here's how to customize tasks in the Reminders app on iPhone and iPad.

How to add notes to a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

If you want to remember to do something specific when you're completing a task or jog your memory of why you scheduled that task in the first place, you can add notes to any task.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Notes.
  2. Type your notes.
  3. Tap Done.

Adding Notes to a Task in Reminders: Tap Notes, type in your notes, and then tap done. (Image credit: iMore)

How to add a date to a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

Whether you want to be reminded of a task later today, two weeks from now, or two months from now, setting a date for a task in Reminders well make sure you're reminded when you want.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the Date On/Off Switch. It will become green when it's turned on.
  2. Select the date you want.

How To Customize Task In Reminders Date: Tap the Dtae ON/Off switch and then select the date you want. (Image credit: iMore)

How to add a time to a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

You can also choose the time (in five min intervals) you want to be notified of a task, so if you want to be reminded exactly at 5:35 PM, you can do just that.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the Time On/Off Switch. It will become green when it's turned on.
  2. Select the time you want.

How To Customize Tasks In Reminders In iOS 15: tpa the Time On/Off switch and then select the time you want. (Image credit: iMore)

How to add tags to a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

Tags are like hashtags that let you organize your Reminders. You can add any tags you want to any notes at any time.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Tags.
  2. Type as many Tags as you want.
  3. Tap Done.

How To Customize Tasks In Reminders in iOS 15: Tap Tags, type whatever Tags you want. and then tap done. (Image credit: iMore)

How to add a location to a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

Reminders can also remind you of a task based on a location. So, if you want to remember to call your mother after you leave your house, or when you get to the mall, you can set up a task to do just that.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the Location On/Off Switch.
  2. Tap the location you want. Tap Custom if you want an option that isn't on the list.

How To Customize Tasks In Reminders In iOS 15: Tap the location on/off switch and then tap the option you want. (Image credit: iMore)

How to set a task to remind you when you message a contact in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

Setting Reminders to remind you of a task when you message someone is super helpful, especially if you want to tell someone something important — here's how you do it.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the When Messaging On/Off Switch.
  2. Tap Choose person
  3. Tap the contact you want.

How To Customize Tasks In Reminders In iOS 15: Tap the when messaging on/off switch, tap choose person, and then tap the contact you want. (Image credit: iMore)

Now, when you message that contact in the Messages app again, Reminders will remind you of the task.

How to add a URL to a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

Much like adding notes, adding a URL to a task may help you remember what you need to do when it comes time to complete a task. Maybe you want to add a link to a YouTube video about how to cut your hair — here's how to do it.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap URL.
  2. Type or paste your URL.
  3. Tap Done.

Adding URL to a Task in Reminders: Tp URL, type or paste the URL you want, and then tap done. (Image credit: iMore)

How to flag a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

When you flag a task in a reminder, it will automatically become part of the flagged list in reminders. At its core, it's a way to set itself apart of the other tasks in your lists, perfect if you had to stop working on a task in the middle and need to remember where you were when you get back to work.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.
  4. Tap the Flagged On/Off Switch. When the switch is green, the task will be flagged.

Flagging a Task in Reminders: Launch Reminders, tap the task you want, tap the info button, and then tap the Flagged on/off switch. (Image credit: iMore)

How to set a task priority in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

If you have a long to-do list, it may be helpful to know which tasks need to get done first. You can set the priority of a task to low, medium, or high, meaning when you look at your list of tasks, you'll be able to spot the ones you think are the most important easily.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Priority.
  2. Tap the option you want.

Choose Priority For a Task in Reminders: Tap Priority and then tap the option you want. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Details in the top left corner.
  2. Tap Done.

Saving a Task Priority in Reminders: Tap < details and then tap done. (Image credit: iMore)

How to move a task to a different list in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

If you have a lot of reminders and multiple lists, you may find yourself accidentally creating a task in a list you don't want. Don't worry; you can quickly move a task from one list to another without having to delete it.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap List
  2. Tap the list you want.
  3. Tap Done

Moving a Task to a Different List in Reminders: Tap List, tap the list you want, and then tap done. (Image credit: iMore)

How to add subtasks to a task in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

Sometimes you may have a task that has multiple steps or parts. In Reminders, you can add subtasks to a task, so you can keep track of every step of the process as you complete your task.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Subtasks.
  2. Tap Add Reminder.
  3. Type your subtask. You'll have to tap Add Reminder again to add more subtasks if you want.

Adding Subtasks to a Task in Reminders: Tap subtasks, tap add reminder, and then type in your subtasks (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Details.
  2. Tap Done.

Saving Subtasks in Reminders: Tap < Details, and then tap done. (Image credit: iMore)

How to add an image to a task in reminders on iPhone and iPad

Adding an image to a task in Reminders can be super helpful if you want to remember to share that image with somebody or need help remembering what something looked like.

  1. Launch Reminders from the Home screen.
  2. Tap the task you want.
  3. Tap the info button. It's the little 'i' in the circle.

Adjusting a Task's Settings In Reminders: Launch Reminder from your Home screen, tap the task you want, and then tap on the info button. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Add Image.
  2. Tap Take Photo, Scan Document, or Photo Library.

Add Image to a Reminder: Tap image and then tap take photo, scan document, or photo library. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select the image you want via the method you've chosen.
  2. Tap Done.

Save Image in Reminders: Select the image you want and then tap done. (Image credit: iMore)

Remember more

Reminders is one of the best iPhone tools for staying on top of all the tasks you have to do in your daily life. It can help you remember tasks you would otherwise forget and allows you to stay organized and on top of your most important to-dos.

As you can see, there's plenty that the Reminders app can do other than simply create task reminders thanks to its myriad of customization options.

Updated May 2022: Updated for the latest version of iOS 15.

Adam Oram

Adam Oram is a Senior Writer at iMore. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as an Apple Genius and as a Deals Editor at Thrifter. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food. Follow him on Twitter at @adamoram.