iOS 26 introduces a lot of big changes to how the iPhone software looks and feels, but there are plenty of updates for system apps too, including Notes, Maps, Photos, and more. Apple’s Reminders app gets a variety of new features too, here’s everything coming to Reminders in iOS 26.
New Liquid Glass design
Apple’s new ‘Liquid Glass’ design impacts all built-in apps in iOS 26, but certain apps feel more changed than others.
When viewing your list of tasks, Reminders’ design has only subtle changes, but the rest of the app feels especially refreshed.
For example, the design of the Smart Lists at the top of your list view has been overhauled with a distinct aesthetic, and new icons sit in the top-right corner.
Similarly, the task creation and editing views offer a fresh look. Data types are better organized and visually distinct, with new variable spacing and headers that make it easy to find what you’re looking for.
Quick task creation from Control Center and more
Reminders gains a new control in iOS 26 for creating tasks faster than ever.
You can add the ‘New Reminder’ control to:
- Control Center
- the Action Button
- or your Lock Screen
Wherever you put it, Reminders’ control offers a handy popup that provides quick access to several important data parameters you need in creating the reminders. You can change the list, or add a note, due date, location, or flag.
Lists that auto-categorize
Sections are a great existing feature for breaking up a lengthy Reminders list to make it more manageable. But historically, you’ve needed to manually sort your reminders into sections—essentially creating another ‘to-do’ before you can get to your actual work.
But in iOS 26, Reminders gets a new auto-categorizing feature so your lists can sort themselves.
Thanks to Apple Intelligence, and only with your explicit permission, Reminders can create intelligent sections inside your lists and automatically sort your tasks into them. The feature makes it easy to get an overview of everything on your plate, with zero effort on your part.
Apple Intelligence suggested reminders
Another Apple Intelligence feature this year is ‘Suggested Reminders.’
Using AI language tools to understand content you feed it, whenever you share emails, websites, or other content with the Reminders app, you’ll get suggestions for tasks that can be created based on what’s shared.
Call back reminders
iOS 26 has some nice changes coming to the Phone app, one of which is a new Reminders integration.
From your list of recent calls, you can now swipe left to find a new reminder button. Hit that to set a ‘Call Back Reminder’ for 1 hour later, later that day, tomorrow, or some other time.
The new reminder is created in the Reminders app with a direct link, and it will also be prominently displayed in the Phone app.
Time zone override
If you travel across time zones often enough, you’ve probably encountered issues with reminders alerting you at unexpected moments.
Apple has long offered a ‘Time Zone Override’ feature for the Calendar app that can solve this. And in iOS 26, that same option is coming to Reminders too.
Inside the Settings app, you can now choose a default time zone for all your reminders to follow—no matter where you are in the world.
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