How To Use Mac Reminders In 5 Minutes

If you haven't been using the Reminders app on your Mac and other Apple devices you are missing out on a very useful tool. Learn the basics in just 5 minutes with this quick tutorial.

Comments: 13 Responses to “How To Use Mac Reminders In 5 Minutes”

    Allan Murphy
    2 years ago

    Reminders is very useful. Is there a way to change the font size? On my desktop it seems too small. No problem with my iPhone, of course. TIA.

    Michael Cliff
    2 years ago

    Very useful as always Gary. Although I have been using Reminders for some time I learned a lot. One question - is there a way of setting a default View/Sort By choice. I have one list that I need to sort by date and I have to change the View By to Due Date each time I use the particular list. I would like to set it so that Due Date is the default for that list. Any suggestions. Thanks.

    Jonathan
    2 years ago

    Is there a way to create a recurring reminder every single time I leave a particular location even if it's multiple times in a particular day (e.g. "Take Wallet" every time leaving specific "address")? I can create it on a daily basis but not on a recurring basis.

    2 years ago

    Allan: There's no way to change the size just in Reminders. But if you are having trouble with the font size in Reminders, then you are probably having trouble elsewhere as well. See https://macmost.com/15-ways-to-make-text-easier-to-read-on-your-mac.html for some suggestions.

    2 years ago

    Michael: Not sure why you need to change it every time. When I use View, Sort By, and set a sorting option for a list, it stays that way for the next time I view the list. Is this list in iCloud, or maybe some other service?

    2 years ago

    Jonathan: You can do that using Shortcuts on your iPhone. Create a Personal Automation there to do exactly that. See https://macmost.com/run-personal-automation-shortcuts-automatically-in-ios-14.html

    Jonathan
    2 years ago

    Gary this maybe off topic but the link to your automation video above was very helpful. It worked beautifully except I do not have an “ask before running” option like you show in your video. So I have to permit my watch to run the shortcut to remind me to take my wallet every time I leave my home. Is there a setting that I’m missing?

    2 years ago

    Jonathan: That video is from 2 years ago, so 2 versions of iOS back. You have to expect it to look different somewhat. As long as you get notified, that's the goal right? If not, you can maybe learn about using Focus modes in iOS 15 (AKA "Do Not Disturb") and set a special focus mode that also triggers an automation.

    Jonathan
    2 years ago

    Gary, just FYI, I was able to find an Apple website from Germany (I used Google translate) which showed a list of triggers for which the Ask Before Running option was not available the leaving and arriving triggers were both on that list. I’m not sure why but like you said I have accomplished my goal of being reminded not to forget my wallet when I leave home. I stumbled across your site a couple of weeks ago and it’s outstanding. Thank you!

    BJ Flora
    2 years ago

    Hi Gary,

    I'm a big user of Reminders and use it as my primary task manager (I'm retired). I have set a Reminder to notify me every morning at 7 am to check my Reminders and Calendar to ensure I get things done. My problem is that for some reason I get a Reminder, seemingly default(?) at 9 am every day. I have looked at the settings on all my devices and can find no way to eliminate or change that 9 am notification. What am I missing? Thanks.

    2 years ago

    BJ Flora: Maybe because you have Do Not Disturb turned on until 9?

    BJ Flora
    2 years ago

    No, I have no setting for DNS. I have a sleep focus mode from 2215 to 0545. I get reminders prior to 9 am, including my own daily reminder at 7 am.

    2 years ago

    BJ Flora: By "Do Not Disturb" I mean any Focus mode. Not sure why these reminders aren't working right for you. Maybe a time zone issue then? Call Apple Support and see what they say.

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