iOS 26 brought many significant changes to the look and feel of iPhone software, as well as new updates for system apps like Notes, Maps, Photos, and more. Apple’s Reminders app also has a variety of new features, here’s everything new for Reminders in iOS 26.
New liquid glass design
Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design affects all built-in apps in iOS 26, but some apps appear more changed than others.
When you look at your to-do list, there are only subtle changes to the design of the reminders, but the rest of the app looks notably refreshed.
For example, the design of Smart Lists at the top of your list view has been revamped with a distinct aesthetic, and new icons can be found in the upper right corner.
Likewise, the task creation and editing views offer a revamped appearance. Data types are better organized and visually distinct, with new variable spacing and headers that make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Quickly create tasks from Control Center and more
Reminders added a new control in iOS 26 to create tasks faster than ever.
You can add the “New Reminder” control to:
- Control center
- the action button
- or your lock screen
No matter where you place it, Reminders Control offers a convenient pop-up window that provides quick access to several important data settings you need to create reminders. You can edit the list or add a note, due date, location, or flag.
Lists that automatically categorize
Sections are a great existing feature for breaking up a long list of reminders to make it more manageable. But historically, you’ve had to manually sort your reminders into sections, essentially creating another “to-do” before you can get down to your actual work.
But in iOS 26, Reminders has a new auto-categorization feature so your lists can self-sort.
Using Apple Intelligence, and only with your explicit permission, Reminders can create smart sections in your lists and automatically sort your tasks there. This feature makes it easy to have an overview of everything on your plate, without any effort on your part.
Reminders suggested by Apple Intelligence
Another Apple Intelligence feature this year is “Suggested Reminders.”
Using AI language tools to understand the content you feed it, whenever you share emails, websites, or other content with the Reminders app, you’ll see task suggestions that can be created based on what’s shared.
Reminder reminders
iOS 26 brings some interesting changes to the Phone app, including new Reminders integration.
In your recent calls list, you can now swipe left to find a new redial button. Tap it to set a “reminder reminder” for 1 hour later, later today, tomorrow, or another time.
The new reminder is created in the Reminders app with a direct link and will also be displayed prominently in the Phone app.
Time zone replacement
If you travel across time zones quite often, you’ve probably encountered issues with reminders alerting you at unexpected times.
Apple has long offered a “Time Zone Override” feature for the Calendar app that can fix this problem. And in iOS 26, this same option is now also available for Reminders.
In the Settings app, you can now choose a default time zone to follow for all your reminders, no matter where you are in the world.
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