With each new iOS update, Apple continues to enhance its native Reminders app, and the iOS 17 update keeps this trend alive with some exciting new features.
Among these updates is a cool new feature that will excite anyone who loves staying organized and using Kanban boards.
Now, you can view your reminders in a Kanban board-style format, which will transform how you manage tasks and increase your productivity.
This article will explore this feature in detail and provide a comprehensive guide on how to use it effectively. Let’s get started.
Kanban Board Overview
For those unfamiliar, the Kanban board concept originates from Japan. The word “Kanban” translates to “billboard” or “visual sign.”
This visual management tool is designed to help track workflow and improve productivity by organizing tasks into columns representing different stages of a process.
Each column represents a stage in the workflow. Common stages include “To-Do,” “Doing,” and “Done.” But you can customize them based on your specific needs.
Tasks are the individual work items or jobs that move through the columns as they progress from creation to completion.
This movement helps visualize the workflow and ensures all tasks are accounted for and progressing as planned.
Kanban Boards in Apple Reminders
As expected from Apple, the Kanban feature is seamlessly integrated into the existing Reminders app interface.
You organize your tasks by creating a list with multiple sections. When you switch to the Column view, it transforms into a Kanban-style board. It’s that simple.
You can view tasks in columns that represent different stages of completion. This makes it easy to drag and drop tasks as they move through the workflow.
How to Create a Kanban Board in Apple Reminders
Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating and managing a Kanban board in Apple Reminders on your iPhone.
We’ll start with a new list, but you can convert existing lists into a Kanban board.
1. Tap the “Add List” button at the bottom-right corner.
2. If prompted, select where to add the list. Then, name the list, choose an icon, color, and list type, and tap “Done” at the upper right. We’ll call it “Kanban Board” for the purpose of this story.
3. Open the new list and tap the “three-dot menu” (…) in the upper-right corner.
4. Select “View as columns” from the dropdown menu.
5. Create a new column by tapping the “three-dot menu” again and selecting “New Column.”
6. Name the column. Let’s call it “To Do” and tap “Done” in the upper right corner.
7. To create more columns, tap the “three-dot menu” icon and go to “Manage Columns” from the menu.
8. Then, select “New Column” from the submenu.
9. Repeat to add two more columns: “Doing” and “Done.”
Managing Tasks
Once your columns are ready, you can add tasks to the “To Do” column. Feel free to include the necessary details, such as date, time, location, etc., as if you were creating a reminder.
As you make progress with your tasks, you can drag and drop them to the “Doing” column.
When you complete a task, just drag it to the “Done” column.
When you complete a task, it’s hidden from the list. Use “Show completed” from the dropdown menu to keep completed tasks visible for better visualization.
Bottom Line
Apple’s Reminders app brings Kanban’s visual and organizational benefits to a native app, making it accessible and easy to use across all Apple devices.
Whether you’re managing personal projects or collaborating with a team, the Kanban board view in Apple Reminders can help streamline your workflow and keep your tasks organized.
Do you use the Kanban style in the Reminders app? Do you think this is a feature you might use in the future?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
