Looking to share tasks or keep the housework separate from the shopping? Want to start with a fresh list for a work project or an excursion into nature? Find out here how to add a new to-do list to Apple Reminders on Mac, iPad and iPhone ⤓ (and how to organize lists with groups to boot).
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How to Add a New To-Do List to Apple Reminders
⚡ Quick Fix
Click or tap Add List or press Command Shift N (Mac). Type the name, choose a color and emoji or icon and pick from Standard, Groceries or Smart for the list type.
Time needed: 2 minutes
To add a new (simple) custom list of to-do items to Apple Reminders on a Mac or iPhone and iPad:
- Click or tap Add List under the current lists’ overview.
macOS keyboard shortcut: On a Mac, you can also press Command Shift N to create a new list.
macOs menu: macOS also lets you create lists using File | New List from the menu. - Go to New List.
Templates: Using to-do list templates in Apple Reminders and the Templates tab, you can also start with a list already pre-populated with reminders.
- Give the list a name under Name:.
Example: You can make a temporary list, say for a trip (e.g., “Viatge provençau” for your trip to Provence) or organize your to-dos by category (e.g., “Clean Comforts” for a housekeeping list).
The looks: Optionally but not trivially, choose a color and icon that will help you spot the list; you can pick either an icon, which affords for a consistent look in Reminders, or an emoji character for more diverse expressions. - Select Standard for the List Type:.
Shopping: For a shopping list, you can choose Groceries and have items categorized automatically.
Smarts: To set up a list that collects items using flexible criteria in Apple Reminders, choose Smart List as the type. - Click OK (Mac) or tap Done (iPhone and iPad).
Move: With the new list, in place, you can move existing tasks to it.
Share: You can now also share the list and its to-do items with other participants.
Favorite: For swift access, make the list a favorite in Apple Reminders.
Their word: Apple include information on setting up reminders lists in the a support article.
First checked on the to-do list: create a to-do list?
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Organize Lists in Groups with Apple Reminders
On a Mac
To set up folders and group lists in them using Apple Reminders on a Mac:
- Select one list you want to see in the new group.
- Now choose File | New Group from the menu.
- Type the name you want to use for the folder over New Group.
- Press Enter.
You can now add other lists to the group using dragging and dropping.
On iPhone and iPad
To add a group to organize lists in Apple Reminders on iOS and iPadOS:
- Go to the list overview in Apple Reminders.
- Open the three dots menu.
- Select Edit Lists.
- Tap Add Group.
- Type the name you want to use for the folder over Untitled.
- Tap Include.
- Choose the lists you want to add to the group.
- Go back to new Group.
- Tap Create.
- Now tap Done.
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How to Add a New To-Do List to Apple Reminders: FAQ
Can I choose a custom color for a list?
No.
Apple Reminders lets you only choose from the colors provided for custom lists.
Can I put groups within groups for a hierarchy of to-do lists?
No.
Apple Reminders supports one level of nesting only. You can collect lists in groups.
(Tested with macOS Golden Gate 27, Tahoe 26, Sequoia 15, Sonoma 14 as well as iOS 17 and 26–27; first published April 2024, last updated October 2026)