How to Add Extra Accounts in Reminders

Adding another account to Reminders lets you keep lists from services such as iCloud, Google, or Microsoft in the same app, where supported. You’ll need the sign-in details for the account and, in some cases, permission to use its reminders or tasks; the steps depend on your device.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone, iPad, or Mac with the Reminders app, or a Windows device with Microsoft Outlook or the relevant account’s app.
• The email address and password for the account you want to add. If two-factor authentication is enabled, have access to its verification method.
• An internet connection and an account provider that supports syncing reminders or tasks with your device.

Step-by-Step

1. Check which account holds the reminders. Confirm that the account you want to add supports task or reminder syncing. Apple Reminders works directly with iCloud and can show compatible reminders from some other accounts configured on the device. Google Tasks and Microsoft To Do may instead be managed most reliably in their own apps or web services. Support can vary by operating system and provider.
2. Open account settings on iPhone or iPad. Open Settings, then tap Apps and Reminders if those sections appear on your version of iOS or iPadOS. Look for Reminders Accounts or account settings. If that option is not there, go back to Settings and open Apps, then the relevant provider’s mail or account settings, or use the search field in Settings to search for “Accounts.” Menu names and locations differ between versions.
3. Add the account. In the account screen, choose Add Account, select the provider, and follow the prompts to sign in. If the provider is not listed, check whether your device offers an option such as Other or supports adding the account through its own app. Do not enter credentials on a page you did not reach through device settings or the provider’s official sign-in flow.
4. Allow reminders or tasks to sync. After signing in, look for a switch labelled Reminders, Tasks, or a similar service and turn it on. Some accounts offer only Mail, Contacts, or Calendars; if there is no reminders or tasks option, the account may not sync tasks into Apple Reminders. Save or confirm the settings if prompted.
5. Check the Reminders app. Open Reminders and return to the main lists view. Look for a section or account name for the newly added service. Tap it to see whether its lists appear. Wait briefly on a reliable internet connection if the lists do not show immediately.
6. Add an item to the right account. Open a list under the account you intend to use, tap New Reminder or the add button, enter a title, and save it. Check the list heading before adding anything: a reminder created in an iCloud list will not automatically belong to a Google or work account.
7. On Mac, add and enable the account. Open System Settings and select Internet Accounts. Choose Add Account, select the provider, and sign in. If a Reminders switch is available, enable it. Then open Reminders and check the sidebar for lists under that account. If the account or service is missing, update the system if practical and check the provider’s supported services.
8. On Windows or another platform, use the provider’s task app. Apple Reminders is not a general-purpose Windows app for adding arbitrary accounts. For a Google account, check Google Tasks in its supported app or web interface; for a Microsoft account, use Microsoft To Do or Outlook where tasks are available. Sign in to the account there, then confirm that its lists appear. Availability and syncing between services depend on the provider and may not be bidirectional.

Common Mistakes

• Expecting every email account to support reminders. Adding an account for email does not guarantee it can sync tasks. Look for a Reminders or Tasks toggle during setup.
• Confusing a calendar with a reminder list. Calendar events and tasks are different kinds of items. A calendar account may sync events without providing lists in Reminders.
• Creating items in the wrong account. Check the list name and account heading before saving. The default list may belong to a different account than you expect.
• Assuming all apps share lists automatically. Apple Reminders, Google Tasks, and Microsoft To Do do not necessarily sync with one another. Adding the same login to two apps does not by itself combine their lists.
• Turning off the sync switch to troubleshoot. Disabling a service can hide its lists from the device. It usually does not delete the online account’s data, but check before changing settings, especially on a managed work device.

Tips

• Give lists clear names, such as “Personal” or “Work,” and keep them grouped under the right account.
• Before moving or deleting a list, check which account owns it and whether the change will affect other signed-in devices.
• Use the same provider’s app on each device when cross-platform consistency matters most.
• For a work or school account, follow your organization’s setup instructions. An administrator may restrict which services can sync.
• After setup, create a harmless test reminder, then confirm it appears on another device or in the provider’s web service before relying on the account.

Troubleshooting

The provider is not listed: Check the device’s account settings and the provider’s own app. Some services cannot be added as a system account, or may support email without task syncing. Use the provider’s task app if necessary.

The account signs in but no lists appear: Reopen account settings and confirm that Reminders or Tasks is enabled. Check that the account has existing lists, then open Reminders and allow time for syncing. A sign-out and sign-in may help, but first make sure unsynced items are saved somewhere safe.

Sign-in repeatedly fails: Verify the email address and password by signing in through the provider’s normal sign-in page. Complete any verification prompt, check the internet connection, and ask a work or school administrator about access restrictions. Avoid repeatedly guessing passwords.

Changes do not appear on another device: Confirm that both devices use the same account and that its task sync is enabled on each. Refresh or reopen the app, check the provider’s service status, and verify whether the list exists online. Some providers sync only within their own apps.

A list or reminder seems to have disappeared: Check the app’s account sections, completed items, and any recently deleted area offered by the service. Make sure the account has not been disabled or removed. Do not delete and re-add an account until you know whether any items exist only on the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more than one account to Reminders?
Often, yes, if the device and each provider support reminders or task syncing. Add accounts separately and check the available service switches.

Can I add a Google account to Apple Reminders?
You can add a Google account to some Apple devices, but Google Tasks may not appear as a Reminders list. If no Tasks or Reminders option is offered, use Google Tasks instead.

Will adding an account merge its lists with iCloud?
No. Accounts generally keep their own lists. You may see them together in the app, but they remain associated with their original services.

Does adding an account delete existing reminders?
Adding an account should not normally delete reminders. However, disabling sync or removing an account can hide its lists from that device, so check the online account before making changes.

Why can I see email but not reminders?
The provider may support email syncing without supporting tasks in the device’s Reminders app. Use the provider’s task app or check its account-sync options.

Can I use the same reminder account on multiple devices?
Yes, when the provider supports syncing and you sign in to the same account on each device. Confirm the list appears online or on another device before relying on it.

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