Use reminder list templates on Mac
Save a reminder list as a template to quickly set up lists for routines such as packing for a trip, using designated workflows or getting ready to start a new school year. Create a link to publish and share a template with others or use a template shared by someone else to create a new reminder list.
You can create and use reminder list templates using macOS 13 or later, iOS 16 or later, or iPadOS 16 or later.
Note: All Reminders features described in this guide are available when using updated iCloud reminders. Some features aren’t available when using accounts from other providers.
Create a reminder list template
You can create a reminder list template from any type of list except a Standard Smart List.
Go to the Reminders app
on your Mac.Select a reminder list in the sidebar.
If you can’t see the sidebar, choose View > Show Sidebar.
Choose File > Save as Template, then enter a name for the template.
If the reminder list has completed items and you want to include them in the template, select “Include Completed Reminders”.
Click Create.
If you create a template from a shared list or a custom Smart List, the template is neither shared nor smart. It contains the reminders in the list at the time you create it.
If you make a template from a shopping list, the template is a standard list. If you make a list from a template based on a shopping list, you can change its list type to a shopping list. See Add, change or delete reminder lists.
Create a new reminder list from a template
Go to the Reminders app
on your Mac.Choose File > View Templates.
In the Templates window, select the template you want to use, then click Create List.
In the sidebar, enter a name for the new list, then press Return.
The View Templates icon
is displayed in the toolbar when you select a reminder list in the sidebar that was created from a template.
Change or delete a reminder list template
Go to the Reminders app
on your Mac.Choose File > View Templates.
In the Templates window, move the pointer over the template you want to modify.
Click
, then do any of the following:Modify the template: Choose Edit Template, change the list as needed, then click
.You can add items, delete items and rearrange or sort the list. If you change a shared reminder list template, you’re asked whether you want to update the shared version of the template.
Change the list colour or icon: Choose Show Template Info, select a new colour or icon, then click OK.
Rename the template: Choose Rename Template, enter a new name, then press Return.
Delete the template: Choose Delete Template, then click Delete.
If you delete a shared template, the people you shared it with can’t use it anymore to create new lists.
To close the Templates window, click the Cancel button or
.
You can also rearrange the list of templates — just drag them into the order you prefer.
Share a reminder list template
Go to the Reminders app
on your Mac.Choose File > View Templates.
In the Templates window, move the pointer over the template you want to share.
Click
, then do one of the following:If the reminder list template isn’t already shared, click Share Template.
If the reminder list template is already shared, click Manage Link, then choose Send Link.
If the template includes a date and time, tags or locations, select or deselect the tick boxes to control whether they’re included in the shared template, then click Continue.
Click the Show Preview button to verify which items are included in the template. Click Hide Preview to return to the Share Template window.
Choose how you want to share the reminder list template, enter the Apple Account of the people you want to share the list with, then send the link.
When sharing reminder list templates, keep the following in mind:
When you share a template, Apple servers have access so that anyone with the link can download a copy of the template.
Anyone who receives the link can send the link to others.
Shared templates don’t include any images.
People who use your template can’t change your version of the template or the shared version of the template. They can only make changes to the reminder list they create from the template.
Only devices using macOS 13 or later, iOS 16 or later, or iPadOS 16 or later can access shared templates.
Stop sharing a reminder list template
When you stop sharing a reminder list template, it’s no longer available for anyone to create new lists from it. Anyone who has already downloaded the template can continue to use it.
Go to the Reminders app
on your Mac.Choose File > View Templates.
In the Templates window, move the pointer over the shared template.
Click
, choose Manage Link, then choose Stop Sharing.
Create a new list from a shared reminder list template
Reminder list templates are shared using links sent through apps such as Messages, Mail or Notes. You can use the links you receive to create new reminder lists.
On your Mac, click the link you received for the template.
The Reminders app opens and displays the shared template.
Click the Add List button in the lower-right corner of the template window.
In the sidebar, enter a new name for the list, then press Return.
You can create new lists using the link until the owner stops sharing the template.