iOS 15 Reminders Smart List Updates Explained
Apple introduced major organizational upgrades to the Reminders app in iOS 15, transforming how users manage tasks through the expansion of Smart Lists. This update enabled users to create fully customizable Smart Lists based on specific filters, introduced system-wide tag integration, added a dedicated view for completed tasks, and allowed greater customization of the app's main dashboard.
Custom Smart Lists
Prior to iOS 15, users were limited to Apple’s preset Smart Lists. With iOS 15, users can create their own custom Smart Lists that automatically populate with tasks meeting defined parameters. When creating a new list, selecting the "Make into Smart List" option allows users to set dynamic rules that pull matching reminders from across all standard lists.
Advanced Filtering Parameters
Custom Smart Lists can filter reminders using several distinct criteria:
- Tags: Filters reminders containing specific tags or combinations of tags.
- Date: Captures tasks scheduled for specific dates, date ranges, or relative timeframes (such as Today or the Next 7 Days).
- Time: Segregates tasks scheduled for the morning, afternoon, evening, or night.
- Location: Populates tasks assigned to specific geographical locations or geofenced triggers (e.g., arriving home).
- Flag: Gathers reminders marked with a flag.
- Priority: Filters tasks based on priority levels (None, Low, Medium, or High).
Multiple filters can be combined within a single Smart List to create highly targeted workflows, such as displaying only high-priority tasks tagged for work that are due today.
Tag-Based Organization
The integration of hashtags directly into task titles or notes serves
as the foundation for the updated Smart Lists. Users can type a hashtag
(e.g., #groceries or #urgent) anywhere in a
reminder. The Reminders app automatically indexes these tags in a new
Tag Browser located at the bottom of the main screen, allowing users to
tap any tag to view matching tasks instantly or use them as criteria in
custom Smart Lists.
"Completed" Default Smart List
Alongside the existing preset Smart Lists (Today, Scheduled, Flagged, and All), iOS 15 introduced a default "Completed" Smart List. This list provides a centralized archive of all finished tasks across every list, making it easier to review past accomplishments without having to check individual lists manually.
Grid Customization
iOS 15 also gave users full control over the Smart List grid on the main dashboard. Users can hide unused default Smart Lists, change the order in which they appear, or mix custom Smart Lists into the top-level grid alongside default options for faster navigation.