How to Use iOS 18’s New Calendar and Reminders Integration

With iOS 18, Apple has made staying organized easier than ever by integrating the Calendar and Reminders apps. Now, you can manage your tasks and schedules all in one place—no more jumping between apps or risking something slipping through the cracks. Here’s everything you need to know about this handy new feature.

Why This Feature Matters

Keeping track of schedules and tasks can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling multiple apps. The iOS 18 Calendar solves this by allowing you to create and manage reminders directly within the app. This streamlines your workflow and makes organization simpler.

While this kind of integration isn’t entirely new (third-party apps like Fantastical have offered similar features for years), Apple’s update brings this functionality directly into its native ecosystem. This makes it more accessible for users who prefer sticking with built-in Apple apps.

How to Create Reminders in the Calendar App

Apple has made it super simple to create reminders directly in the Calendar app. Follow these steps to get started:

Open the Calendar app.
Tap the plus (+) button in the top-right corner.
Select the Reminder tab.
Add the title, date, and time for your reminder.
Tap Add to save it.

Customize Your Reminders

Once you’re in the Reminders tab, you can further customize your task:

Add notes, set the reminder to repeat, and choose which Reminders list it belongs to.
Tap Details at the bottom for more advanced options like adding tags, URLs, images, or locations.
Use the “When Messaging” toggle to link reminders to specific people. For instance, if your partner texts you about picking up milk, the reminder will pop up while you’re chatting with them in the Messages app.

Calendar App vs. Reminders App

While this new integration is convenient, it doesn’t mean the Reminders app is going away. Here’s how the two apps differ:

Calendar app: Best for scheduling events and deadlines.
Reminders app: Still ideal for managing detailed to-do lists and task tracking.

The two apps work together seamlessly. Any reminder you create in the Reminders app will appear in the Calendar app, giving you a full view of your tasks and events in one place. However, you can’t create Calendar events directly from the Reminders app.

Final Thoughts

The iOS 18 update makes the Calendar app a more robust tool for managing both events and tasks. By combining its strengths with the Reminders app, Apple has created a powerful system for staying organized while maintaining the unique features of each app.

Ready to streamline your to-do lists and schedules? Give the new integration a try and enjoy a more seamless way to stay on top of your life.