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).
First, It’s a Kind of Peeler
How would you peel a potato?
Would you hold firm to the peeler, then twist and drag across its top in contortions the potato to rid it off, perchance, a few snippets of peel?
With that in mind, how do you think I would zest with a microplane? Yes… but not any more! One of the best things I’ve learned watching chefs is using a zester like a peeler.
Now, want to cut up your tasks in both logical and efficient a manner into manageable lists to put more, well, zest into your life? Here’s a kind of peeler:
How to Add a New To-Do List to Apple Reminders
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. - 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).
Share: You can now also share the list and its to-do items with other participants.
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.
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.
(How to add a new to-do list to Apple Reminders tested with macOS Sonoma 14.3 and iOS 17; updated April 2024)