Take Control of Calendar and Reminders, 1st Edition

Set Up Reminders

Setting up the Reminders app involves specifying just where your lists will be stored and creating any additional lists that you need, plus telling Reminders which list to add items to by default.

Note: If you want your Mac or Apple mobile device to alert you about certain reminders with an indication like a chime or onscreen message, you should set that up in System Preferences or the iOS Settings app. I explain how in Set Up Notifications, later.

Specify Where Your Lists Will Live

You can store reminders locally (just on your Mac) or connect them to an account on a cloud service—say, iCloud.

Tip: See How can I get an On My Mac option? if you can’t create an On My Mac reminder list.

If you keep reminders on your Mac, they ...