How to change the default list for the Reminders app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to set a default list for the Apple Reminders app so that the to-dos you create using Siri are automatically added to that list.

Lists in Reminders App

If you use the Reminders app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then you likely have a few different lists in it. You may have ones for work, home, school, or something similar.

So, when you add a reminder to a list and use Siri to do it, for example, in which list does that reminder end up? You may not know it, but you have a default list in the Reminders app. This means if you add a task without actually opening the Reminder app to do it, it will automatically fall into your default list.

To make sure that the default list is the one that you want, you can change it easily by following these steps.

On iPhone and iPad

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap Reminders.
  3. Tap Default List.
  4. Select the list you want as your default. You will see a checkmark next to the default list you pick.
Set Default Reminders List

Add a new list for the default

If you decide you would rather set up a new list as the default, you start by creating one in the Reminders app. To do that, go inside the Reminders app and tap Add List. After creating the new list, you simply go back to your Settings app and follow the first set of instructions above. You should see the new list you created and can now select it as your default.

On Mac

  1. Open the Reminders app and click Reminders > Settings from the top menu bar.
  2. Click the drop-down menu next to Default List and select a list of your choice.
Default Reminders list on Mac

To add a new list, click Add List from the bottom left of Mac’s Reminders app. After that, follow the above steps to make it the default.

Add List in Reminders app on Mac

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