Samsung has some excellent alternatives to Google Apps, including the Samsung Keyboard, Notes, Gallery, and Calendar apps. However, the native Reminder app is one productivity tool I’ve used on and off but could never fully commit to.
Now with the One UI 8 update, Samsung has updated the Reminder app with a much-needed design overhaul, better pre-built templates, and, more importantly, the location-based reminder feature, which is a lifesaver. The updated Reminder app is better than ever, and I think I’m going to stick with it this time around.
Samsung Reminder now looks so much better
A massive design overhaul
The first thing you’ll notice when opening the updated Reminder app is that the old hamburger menu is completely gone. Instead, Samsung has introduced a cleaner, more intuitive design with smaller tiles positioned at the top of the screen. These tiles show Today, Scheduled, Important, Place, No Alert, and Completed categories. Each tile displays the number of reminders associated with it, giving you all the important information at a glance.
The new tile setup makes navigating the app much easier. You don’t have to dig through menus to find what you’re looking for, as everything is right there on the main screen. Also, the tiles are large enough to tap comfortably but small enough not to overshadow the interface.
Since the hamburger menu is no more, the More options (three-dots button) has been moved to the top right corner. This now houses the Sync Now feature, sorting options, category management, Recycle bin, and Settings. There aren’t many changes to the Settings menu itself—you still have the sync option for Samsung Cloud and the ability to sync with Microsoft To Do, which is definitely handy for those who work across multiple platforms.
New reminder templates
Presets to help you get started
One of the handy additions to the Reminder app is the new Try these out section. It offers template presets that can save you a few minutes when creating everyday reminders. The templates include Workout Schedule, Monthly payment reminder, Pickup reminder, Reminder when you get home, and Grocery list.
Importantly, they aren’t just empty templates, but come pre-filled with practical details like suggested times, locations, and even checklist items. You can use them as-is or customize them to fit your needs.
Clean way to add new reminders
The new add reminder screen has been completely redesigned and feels much more polished. You now have a cleaner interface with all the options—adding time, place, and category—visible right from the start. Unlike the previous setup, you don’t have to tap through multiple screens to set up a reminder anymore.
However, what I liked most was the new voice input button integrated directly into the app. While you could previously add reminders using Bixby voice commands, having the voice button built right into the Reminder app makes much more sense.
All you have to do is tap the microphone icon and speak your reminder naturally. The app does a pretty good job of understanding dates, times, and even locations from your voice input. For example, instead of typing out “Pick up groceries at 5 PM when I leave work,” you can just say it, and the app sets everything up correctly. It’s a great way to add a reminder hands-free.
Location-based reminders finally work well
The feature that’s most important to me
Location-based reminder is probably the most important feature in a reminder app for me, so much so that I had to switch to a different app when Google axed this feature from the Keep app.
Samsung has had location-based reminders for a while, but now it works noticeably better. The Place tile on the main screen shows all your location-based reminders at once. To set up a location-based reminder, add a place when creating your reminder, and the app will notify you when you arrive at or leave that location.
I’ve set reminders to pick up items when I arrive at the store, call someone when I get home, and check tire pressure at a gas station. The location feature also integrates nicely with the other improvements. You can combine location triggers with time constraints, so a reminder only goes off if you arrive somewhere during specific hours. This prevents those annoying midnight notifications when you happen to pass by a location outside of relevant hours.
I’ll never forget anything ever again
The latest Samsung One UI 8 gets a lot right, including the improved split screen with precise control, an impressive audio eraser that meticulously removes background noise from recorded videos, and improved privacy around Secure Folders, making it truly private. However, the improvements made to the Reminder app are certainly one of my favorites. The cleaner interface, pre-built templates, integrated voice input, and improved location-based reminders turn this often-neglected app into a genuinely useful productivity tool.
While third-party apps might offer more features, Samsung’s Reminder app now provides everything most people need without the need to download an additional app. If you’ve been ignoring this app in favor of other options, this is the perfect time to give it another chance.