How to make a to-do list on a Mac: four ways, from built-in to menu bar
To make a to-do list on a Mac, open Reminders, click the add button and type each task, or open Notes and press Shift-Command-L for a checklist. For a list that's always visible, use Stickies with Float on Top, or a menu bar app such as Alcove, where Option-Space adds a task from any app and one click shows today's list.
There's no single right way to keep a to-do list on a Mac. A shopping list, a week of work and a project with forty steps want different tools. Here are four ways, from what's already on your Mac to an app built for it.
1. Reminders: the built-in to-do app
Reminders comes with every Mac and syncs with your iPhone and iPad through iCloud.
- Open Reminders (press ⌘ Space and type Reminders).
- Choose a list in the sidebar, or click Add List at the bottom to make one.
- Press ⌘ N or click the plus button, and type a task.
- Click the info button to add a date, a time, a location or a priority.
- Tick the circle when it's done.
Good for: lists you want on your iPhone too, with reminders, for free.
2. Notes: a quick checklist
For a list you'll use today and throw away, a checklist in Notes is the fastest.
- Open Notes and press ⌘ N for a new note.
- Press ⇧ ⌘ L to start a checklist, or choose Format, Checklist.
- Type a task, press Return for the next.
- Click a circle to tick it off.
Good for: quick lists, packing lists, shopping lists. Notes doesn't remind you of anything.
3. Stickies: a list that stays on screen
Stickies puts coloured notes on your desktop.
- Open Stickies.
- Type your list in a note.
- Choose Window, Float on Top so it stays above other windows.
Good for: a short list you want to see all the time. There are no checkboxes, dates or sync.
4. A menu bar app: one click from anywhere
A menu bar to-do app lives at the top of the screen, so your list is one click away from any app. In Alcove:
- Press ⌥ Space in any app and type a task in one sentence: "Send the invoice Friday 10am #work". The day, time and tag are set as you type.
- Click the Alcove icon in the menu bar to see today, every list, the month and your notes.
- Tick tasks off right there, without opening a window.
- Want it always visible? Pull a list out into a floating window that stays above your other apps.
The same tasks are on your iPhone and iPad, in widgets and in Siri. See keeping your to-do list in the menu bar.
Good for: your whole day on the Mac, with the same list on your phone.
Which one should you use?
| You want | Use |
|---|---|
| A free list with reminders on your iPhone too | Reminders |
| A quick checklist for today | Notes |
| A few things always on screen | Stickies or a floating Alcove list |
| Your day one click away, with dates, boards and notes | A menu bar app like Alcove |
For a wider comparison, see the best to-do list apps for Mac.
Sources
- Make a list in Reminders on Mac, Apple Support
- Add checklists in Notes on Mac, Apple Support
- Stickies User Guide for Mac, Apple Support
Questions people ask
What is the easiest way to make a to-do list on a Mac?
Open Notes, start a new note and press Shift-Command-L to turn it into a checklist. Each line you type is a box to tick. For dates and reminders, use the Reminders app instead.
Does the Mac have a built-in to-do list app?
Yes. Reminders is built into macOS and syncs with your iPhone through iCloud. It has lists, due dates, tags, smart lists and a column view.
How do I keep a to-do list visible on my Mac screen?
Use a desktop widget, a Stickies note with Window, Float on Top, or a menu bar app. Alcove can also float any list in a small window above your other apps, including full-screen ones.
How do I add a task without switching apps?
With a global shortcut. In Alcove, press Option-Space from any app and type the task in one sentence, such as "Send the invoice Friday 10am".