iOS 15 Reminders Smart Lists Updates and Features

Apple introduced significant enhancements to Smart Lists in the Reminders app with the release of iOS 15. Users gained the ability to build fully customized Smart Lists driven by specific parameters such as tags, dates, priority, and location, expanding far beyond the rigid default lists of earlier versions. This article breaks down the major updates to Reminders Smart Lists in iOS 15 and how they streamline daily task management.

Creation of Custom Smart Lists

Prior to iOS 15, Reminders only provided fixed, default Smart Lists: Today, Scheduled, Flagged, and All. With iOS 15, users can convert standard reminder lists into custom Smart Lists or create new ones from scratch. When creating a new list, users can designate it as a "Smart List" and select the exact filters that dictate which tasks automatically populate the view.

Tag-Based Filtering

The introduction of system-wide tags in iOS 15 directly integrated into Smart List functionality. Users can apply tags (e.g., #work, #errands, #urgent) to individual tasks. Custom Smart Lists can then be configured to automatically aggregate tasks matching single or multiple tags. When using multiple tags, users can choose whether a task must include "All Selected" tags or "Any Selected" tag to appear.

Multi-Attribute Filter Criteria

In addition to tags, iOS 15 enabled multi-attribute rule sets for Smart Lists. Users can combine several filter conditions to pinpoint specific tasks:

  • Date: Filter by specific dates, relative ranges (such as the next 7 days), or overdue items.
  • Time: Filter by morning, afternoon, evening, or night.
  • Location: Filter tasks assigned to specific geographical triggers, such as arriving home or getting in the car.
  • Flag: Include only flagged tasks or ignore flagged status.
  • Priority: Filter by Low, Medium, or High priority levels.

The "Completed" Smart List

Alongside custom list creation, iOS 15 expanded the default grid of Smart Lists by adding a dedicated "Completed" list. This allows users to review finished tasks across all lists without needing to manually reveal completed items inside individual project lists.

Customization and Reordering

Smart Lists in iOS 15 offer expanded visual and organizational controls. Users can assign custom icons, emojis, and colors to their custom Smart Lists for faster identification. Furthermore, both default and custom Smart Lists can be rearranged or hidden from the main Reminders dashboard to keep the interface clutter-free.