Import Reminders
Import Reminders moves unfinished reminders from one Apple Reminders list into 2Do's Inbox. 2Do removes the original reminder only after a waiting period or your first change to the imported task in 2Do.
Use it to collect tasks with Siri or Shortcuts while keeping 2Do as the place where you organize and complete them. Importing works with no task sync set up, or alongside another sync method such as iCloud or Dropbox.
For tasks that stay in both apps and can be edited in either, see Sync with Apple Reminders. For iPhone and iPad, see Import Reminders on iOS.
Set Up Importing
- Open 2Do > Settings > Import Reminders.
- Turn on Import Automatically.
- When macOS asks, allow 2Do full access to Reminders.
- Open Reminders List and choose a list under its Reminders account heading.
- Click Confirm to review your choice.
- Read Import and Remove Reminders?, then click Start Importing to use that list and begin importing.
Choosing a list alone does not change your saved import list or start importing from a new one. You must also confirm Start Importing.
Set up each Reminders capture list on one device. The switch and list choice stay on this Mac and do not sync to your other devices. Tasks saved in 2Do can then reach your other devices through your usual 2Do sync.
Find Your Imported Tasks
Open the Inbox and look for the Imported from Reminders section. If the Inbox is turned off or missing, 2Do enables or creates it when a reminder is imported.
You can rename this section. 2Do keeps using it for imported reminders while it remains in the Inbox.
Imported tasks are ordinary 2Do tasks. Review them in the Inbox, edit their details, or move them to another list when you are ready. They follow 2Do's usual sorting and organization options. See Sections and Lists and List Groups.
Changes you make to these tasks in 2Do are not sent back to the original Reminders list.
What Is Imported
2Do imports these supported details:
- Title and notes.
- The reminder's URL.
- Priority.
- Dates and repeat rules that 2Do supports.
- Supported time-based alerts.
- 2Do details saved in notes, including start dates, duration, stars, tags, actions, projects and checklists.
Reminders that are already completed are left alone. If you complete or reopen a reminder after importing it, 2Do updates the same task while it is still following changes from Reminders.
Project and checklist relationships saved by 2Do in notes are also imported. A child stays in Reminders if 2Do cannot find its parent or preserve its details.
Apple's public Reminders API does not give other apps access to attachments, tags, flags or sub-task structure. 2Do cannot copy these details before removing the original reminder.
Location-based alerts are not yet supported by 2Do's Reminders sync or importer. Reminders with these alerts stay in Reminders.
If 2Do detects a repeat rule or alert type it cannot import, it leaves that reminder in Reminders. Check reminders that remain in your capture list and simplify their repeat or alert settings if you want 2Do to import them.
When Importing Runs
While Import Automatically is on, 2Do checks the selected list when the app runs, when you return to it, and when Reminders reports a change. It imports new unfinished reminders and checks for changes to reminders it has already imported.
Changes in Reminders update the same imported task until the reminder is removed or you first change the task in 2Do on the importing device. Checking an unchanged reminder does not overwrite edits you have made in 2Do.
After importing a reminder, 2Do waits at least 10 minutes before removing it. Further changes in Reminders restart the wait when 2Do imports them. Removal can take longer if 2Do is closed.
The wait gives you time to finish typing a reminder or adjust its details in Reminders. 2Do updates the task it already imported, so each edit does not create another copy.
Your first change to the imported task in 2Do, such as editing its notes, changing its priority, or moving it to another list, stops further updates from Reminders and lets removal begin sooner. Your edit finishes normally, and 2Do handles removal separately in the background.
Before removing a reminder, 2Do checks that it still matches the version fully saved in 2Do. If the reminder changes while removal after your 2Do edit is pending, it stays in Reminders. Your 2Do edit is kept, and 2Do does not automatically create a second task.
If the Reminders list uses iCloud or another service, removing the reminder also removes it from the other devices that use that list.
Change the List or Stop Importing
To choose another source, open 2Do > Settings > Import Reminders > Reminders List, choose the new list, and click Confirm. Review the removal notice and click Start Importing to switch. Canceling leaves your saved import list unchanged.
Turn off Import Automatically to stop automatic importing on this Mac. Tasks already imported stay in 2Do.
Troubleshooting
Open 2Do > Settings > Import Reminders to check for problems accessing Reminders, fetching changes, or removing imported reminders in the background.
Reminders Access Is Denied
2Do needs full access to read reminders and remove them after importing. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Reminders and allow 2Do full access. Return to 2Do > Settings > Import Reminders to finish setup.
Reminders Is Already Your Sync Method
Importing is unavailable while Reminders is the configured account under 2Do > Settings > Sync. Turning off Enable Sync or automatic sync does not disconnect that account.
Keep using Reminders sync if you want two-way syncing with the Reminders app. To use importing, first change your account sync setup under 2Do > Settings > Sync to another method or no sync, then return to Import Reminders.
A Reminder Has Not Appeared
Check that Import Automatically is on, the correct Reminders List is selected, and the reminder is unfinished, then check the Inbox. A reminder with an unsupported repeat rule or alert stays in Reminders; see What Is Imported.
If your selected Reminders list has been deleted or is no longer available, choose an available list and confirm it again.