How to Use Reminders on iPhone: Flags, Tags, Smart Lists and Location Alerts
Key answer In Reminders, make a list, add reminders, then attach details such as date, time, location, tags, flag and priority. A flag means “important” and collects items in the Flagged list. Tags and custom Smart Lists let you pull reminders from several lists together by condition.
How do you get started with Reminders?
- Make a list In Reminders, tap Add List at the bottom right and choose a name and color.
- Add reminders Open the list and tap New Reminder. You can also add with Siri, Control Center or the Action Button.
- Attach details Tap the info (i) button next to a reminder to set date, time, repeat, location, tags, flag and priority.
With Reminders turned on in iCloud, your lists also show on your iPad, Mac and Apple Watch under the same Apple Account. Menu names follow iOS 26 and later.
What is the difference between flags, tags and priority?
| Marker | What it is | When to use it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| List | A box that holds reminders | When areas are clearly different | Work · Home · Groceries |
| Flag | An importance mark; flagged items collect in the Flagged list | For the few things that must happen this week | Reply to the contract |
| Tag (#) | A label that cuts across lists | To group by situation or place | #calls #errands |
| Priority | Low, Medium or High | To order tasks within the same list | High = this morning |
If you flag too many things, the Flagged list just becomes another long list. Flag only a handful and use tags for the rest; that setup lasts longer.
How do you set repeating and location alerts?
- Repeat — in the details, turn on Date, set a time, then set Repeat to daily, weekly, monthly or a custom interval.
- Location — in the details, turn on Location, pick a place, then choose When Arriving or When Leaving. You can choose places like home or work, or when you get in a car.
- Person — you can also have it remind you the next time you message someone.
When do you use Smart Lists and templates?
The built-in Smart Lists (Today, Scheduled, All, Flagged, Completed, Assigned to Me and more) can be switched on and off when you edit your lists. To make your own, tap Add List, change the list type to Smart List, and in Edit Filters combine tags, dates, times, locations, flags and priorities. A template saves a list you reuse, such as packing for a business trip, so you can create it again later.
| Part | How to set it up |
|---|---|
| 4 lists | Work · Personal · Groceries · Someday |
| 3 tags | #meetings #calls #errands — add them regardless of list |
| Smart List “When I’m out” | Filter: tag #errands · date Today — the bank, a parcel pickup and the pharmacy show up together |
| Flag | Only on the 3 items due this week |
| Template “Business trip” | Save a list of what you carry every time, like charger, business cards and laptop stand |
How do you share a list with family?
Open the list, tap the share button and invite family members who use iCloud. You can edit together, and if you assign an item to someone, it shows up in their Assigned to Me list. One thing to remember: a shared list cannot be turned into a Smart List.
What if Reminders starts to feel limited?
Sometimes you want to drag a task onto a timetable, reschedule everything left over in one go in the evening, or capture dates from a photo of a notice. In that case, you can bring your lists into Aria with Settings → General → Import → Import Apple Reminders. Aria only reads Reminders, so the originals stay put, and you can keep a shared grocery list in Reminders while moving only your own schedule (moving tasks from Apple Reminders). For help deciding which fits, see iPhone Reminders vs. a to-do app.
Frequently asked questions
What does the flag mean in Reminders?
It marks an item as important. Flagged items from any list collect in the Flagged Smart List. Unlike Priority, which has Low, Medium and High, a flag is just on or off.
Can I change the Reminders alert sound?
Yes. On your iPhone, open Settings → Sounds & Haptics and change Reminder Alerts. In silent mode or a Focus, this sound follows those settings too.
Do reminders show up in the Calendar app?
Yes. Reminders with a date can be viewed, created and completed in the Calendar app too. If you want to handle events and tasks on one timetable, also look at a to-do app.
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