Apple says that over a billion active iPhones are in use today. That’s an incredible number and a testament to this device's popularity.

However, as popular as the iPhone is, not all iPhone users are Mac users. Many of them are, but a significant number use a Windows computer as their primary computing device.

If you use Reminders on your Apple devices, you face a major problem because Apple doesn’t have a Windows version of the Reminders app.

iCloud.com is an option, but as we have just seen, it’s not a great option. A better option is to sync your tasks with Microsoft instead of Apple.

Sync Reminders with Microsoft

When you sync your tasks with Microsoft, you can still use the Reminders app on your iPhone or iPad. However, your tasks will sync with Microsoft instead of syncing with iCloud.

When you are on a Windows device, your tasks from Reminders will appear in the Outlook desktop app, at Outlook.com, and in the Microsoft To-Do app. Here’s how to set that up.

On an iPhone or iPad, follow the directions below:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Tap “Reminders” and then “Accounts”
  3. Next, tap “Add Account” and log in with a Microsoft account
  4. Once logged in, make sure you turn on the toggle next to Reminders

Reminders Templates (1).gif

On a Mac, follow these directions instead:

  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Click on Internet Accounts.
  3. Next, click “Add Account…” and log in with a Microsoft account
  4. Once logged in, make sure you turn on the toggle next to Reminders

Some features, like tags and Smart Lists, are not supported when you sync tasks from Reminders with Microsoft, but due dates, reminders, and priority levels work well.

Using Reminders With Windows

When you sync Reminders with a Microsoft account, the Reminders app will look a little different. You will see a new group of lists in the Reminders app. One will be labeled iCloud, and the other group will be labeled Outlook or Exchange.

You must use Outlook/Exchange lists to sync your tasks with a Windows device. So, create new lists here and start copying and pasting your tasks from iCloud to Outlook. And, yes, you have to copy and paste tasks because Apple won’t let you move tasks between accounts.

Once you are done, you can turn off iCloud Reminders so that you only have one set of lists showing up in the Reminders app. This will also help ensure you don’t accidentally add something to iCloud because those tasks won’t sync with your Windows device. Here’s how to make that happen.

On an iPhone or iPad, follow the directions below:

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Tap your name at the top of the screen
  3. Next, tap iCloud