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How to use Apple Reminders in Windows 11/10

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In this post, we will show you how to use and sync Apple Reminders using Microsoft To Do on Windows computers, among other methods.

There are some proprietary apps in the Apple ecosystem that are not available on the Windows or Android platform; the Reminders app is a case in point here. Without a Windows version of the Reminders app, there is no native way to access your tasks on Windows. Apple Reminders offer a convenient way to keep track of to-dos and stay organized. It also allows users to create subtasks, edit reminders, and get reminders while messaging someone. These reminders can further sync across devices using iCloud.

How to sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do

How to sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do

Usually, you can fire up a browser and head over to icloud.com to access online versions of some of Apple’s most popular apps like the Mail, Contacts, and Calendar app, including the Apple Reminders app. However, it’s just not a good option for managing tasks on Windows besides the not-so-great user experience or generally, the limitations of the Reminders app on iCloud which are:

  • You can only view and add reminders.
  • You can’t add dates or times to a reminder.
  • You can’t move reminders to another list.
  • You can’t create, edit or delete lists.
  • The sync is slow.

So, you don’t have to use Apple iCloud to sync your tasks in the Apple Reminders app — you can do so in either of the following ways:

  1. Sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do on iOS
  2. Sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do on macOS

With the Microsoft To-Do app and your Microsoft account connected on iOS or macOS, on your Apple devices, you can use the Reminders app to add and view tasks, and on a Windows device, you can do the same using the Microsoft To-Do app.

The tasks you have added in either of the apps, sync across both apps. You could just use the Microsoft To-Do app on your Apple and Windows devices, but if you use Siri for Reminders and you want those tasks to be on your Windows PC, then you need to sync Reminders to your Microsoft account. This is because Siri based on user experiences is good at adding reminders/tasks on iPhone or using CarPlay while driving all of which are added to the Reminders app and get synced to the Microsoft To-Do app if you have configured on your iOS or macOS as described below.

Read: Microsoft To-Do app for Mac Comparison with Reminders app

Sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do on iOS

Sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do on iOS

To sync Reminders with your Microsoft account on iOS, follow these steps:

Make sure your Microsoft account is listed here. If it isn’t, tap Add Account, and log in with your username and password.

Sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do on macOS

Sync Apple Reminders with Microsoft To Do on macOS

To sync Reminders with your Microsoft account on macOS, follow these steps:

Make sure your Microsoft account is listed here. If it isn’t, click Microsoft Exchange, and log in with your username and password.

Once you’ve enabled syncing with your Microsoft account, you’ll notice a new set of lists in the Reminders app that appears alongside your existing iCloud lists. These are the only lists that will sync with your Microsoft account. You can make some new lists in Outlook or Exchange and move any or all of your existing iCloud tasks to those new lists. If you don’t need iCloud Reminders, you can disable them.

Lastly, you can set your default iOS Reminders list to match a list in your Microsoft account once it has been connected. To do that, open the Settings app and tap Reminders > Default List to choose a list.

How to use Apple Reminders in Windows 11/10

How to use Apple Reminders in Windows 11/10

There isn’t any direct way to use Apple Reminders on Windows devices. Apart from using Microsoft To-Do we explained above, there are a few indirect approaches you can try.

  1. Use Apple Reminders on the Web
  2. Install Apple Reminders as PWA
  3. Use Reminders via Outlook

Now, let’s see these in detail.

1] Use Apple Reminders on the Web

This is the easiest way of using Apple Reminders on Windows devices. It will offer an interface similar to the Reminder app on Apple devices. Here’s how:

Open iCloud.com on your preferred browser and sign in with your Apple ID.

Once you log in, the Reminders option will be available; click on it and start using it on your Windows device.

Use Apple Reminders on the Web

However, if the Reminders option isn’t available on the Home screen, click on the app drawer and select Reminders.

2] Install Apple Reminders as PWA

Next, you can install Apple Reminders as a PWA (Progressive Web App). A PWA app is built using web platform technologies that offer a user experience like that of a platform-specific app. Just like any other app, it can be installed and operated when offline and in the background.

Here’s how you can install Apple Reminders as a PWA using different browsers:

On Chrome

Open Apple Reminders via iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID.

Click on the three dots at the top, select Save and Share, and click on Create Shortcut.

create chrome pwa

Select Open as Window and click on Save.

On Microsoft Edge

Open Apple Reminders via iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID.

Click on the three dots at the top right and select Apps > Install this site as an app.

create pwa on edge

Name the application and click on Install.

3] Use Reminders via Outlook

You can also use Apple Reminders via Outlook and the iCloud app. Here’s how:

Install the iCloud app for Windows and log in using your Apple ID and password.

Here, connect your Calenders and Contacts with Outlook.

Use Reminders via Outlook

Next, open Outlook and switch to Tasks in the lower-left.

Under iCloud, you’ll find your Apple Reminders lists and tasks.

These posts might interest you:

Can iPhone Reminders sync with Outlook tasks?

To sync iPhone Reminders with Outlook tasks, on your iPhone, do the following:

  • Tap Settings > Passwords and Accounts.
  • Under Accounts, tap your Microsoft Outlook account.
  • Make sure the toggle button beside Reminders is green.

This will sync tasks from the Reminders app on the iPhone to Outlook, and from Outlook tasks to Reminders on the iPhone.

How do I sync Apple Reminders with Google tasks?

To sync Apple Reminders with Google Tasks, download the Google Tasks app on your iPhone. Next, open the Apple Reminders app, share your reminders to your email, and import them into Google Tasks.

How do I convert Apple Reminders to Notes?

Open the Reminders app and click on Edit in the Reminders menu bar on your Mac. Next, copy the specific reminder or click on Select All to copy all. Lastly, open the Notes app and paste them.

Can Apple reminders sync with Google Tasks?

You can manage your Google Tasks on your iPhone. If you sync Google Tasks with your iPhone, you will be able to manage your tasks and get reminders on your iPhone. You can add new tasks and reminders and you will be able to access them on all your devices. Some apps that can sync with Apple Reminders include:

  • Amazon Alexa
  • Todoist
  • Google Tasks
  • Google Calendar
  • Welltory

Read: How to connect and synchronize Microsoft To Do with Google Calendar.

Obinna@TWC

Obinna has completed B.Tech in Information & Communication Technology. He has worked as a System Support Engineer, primarily on User Endpoint Administration, as well as a Technical Analyst, primarily on Server/System Administration. He also has experience as a Network and Communications Officer. He has been a Windows Insider MVP (2020) and currently owns and runs a Computer Clinic.