How to Share Reminders Between iPhone and Android (2026 Guide)

You can't share reminders between iPhone and Android using Apple's built-in tools — Apple Reminders only works with other Apple ID accounts. But four cross-platform options do the job, and one of them (SMS-based YouGot) works without the Android user needing to install anything at all. Here's the full breakdown.

Why Apple Reminders Won't Work Across Platforms

Apple Reminders shared lists require both users to be signed into an Apple ID. Android users aren't in the Apple ecosystem, so they can't be added to a shared Reminders list at all.

This is a common friction point in households where one person uses iPhone and another uses Android — or in work teams where device policies vary.

Three categories of alternatives:

1. SMS-based reminders — sends a text directly to any phone number, no app required
2. Cross-platform reminder apps — require both people to install an app and create accounts
3. Shared calendar workarounds — Google Calendar or Outlook shared calendars with notification reminders

Option 1: SMS Reminders via YouGot (No App Required on Android)

The fastest way to share a reminder from iPhone to Android: create the reminder on your iPhone using YouGot's web interface or app, and send it to the Android user's phone number as an SMS.

They receive it as a plain text message. No YouGot account needed. No app to install.

How to set it up:

1. Sign up at yougot.ai
2. Type your reminder naturally: "Remind me and Mark at +1-555-0144 every Sunday at 6pm to plan the week."
3. Mark receives an SMS. You receive your preferred notification.

For recurring reminders shared between mixed-device households, this is genuinely the lowest-friction method available.

Try these right now:

Send a reminder to +1-555-0199 and +1-555-0200 on the 1st of each month that rent is due on the 5th.

Learn more about family and household reminders at yougot.ai/parents.

Option 2: Todoist (Best Cross-Platform Shared Task App)

Todoist runs natively on both iOS and Android and supports shared projects with task assignment. Both users need Todoist accounts (free tier available).

Setup steps:

1. Create a Todoist account on your iPhone and install it
2. Ask the Android user to create an account and install Todoist
3. Create a shared project and invite them by email
4. Add tasks with reminder notifications set — they'll receive the alert on their Android device

Pro plan required for reminder notifications. The free plan supports shared projects but doesn't send timed reminder alerts.

Good for: work teams, ongoing shared task lists, project collaboration Not ideal for: one-off reminders sent to people who don't want another app

Option 3: Microsoft To Do (Free, Cross-Platform)

Microsoft To Do is free, works on iOS and Android, and supports shared list plans where both users can add and complete tasks.

Limitation: To Do doesn't send time-based reminder alerts to the other person — it's a shared list, not a shared reminder. If you check something off, they see the update, but there's no push notification reminder at a specific time unless each person sets their own.

Best for shared grocery lists or ongoing to-do lists rather than timed reminders.

Option 4: Google Calendar Shared Reminders

Google Calendar works on both platforms and supports shared calendars. Create a calendar event with a reminder notification and share the calendar with the other person.

Steps:

1. Create a Google Calendar event (e.g., "Pay utilities bill")
2. Add a notification reminder (1 day before, 1 hour before, etc.)
3. Share the calendar with the Android user via their Google account
4. They'll see the event and notification on their Android device

Limitation: This is a calendar event, not a text reminder. If the Android user doesn't check Google Calendar or misses the push notification, the reminder is lost.

Comparison: Cross-Platform Reminder Sharing

Method	Requires Android app	Recurring support	SMS delivery	Free tier
YouGot (SMS)	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Todoist	Yes (free account)	Yes	No	Limited
Microsoft To Do	Yes (free)	Yes	No	Yes
Google Calendar	Yes (Google account)	Yes	No	Yes

For pure simplicity — especially when the Android user won't install anything new — YouGot's SMS approach wins. For feature-rich shared task management where both users are willing to create accounts, Todoist is the most capable option.

Try These Cross-Platform Reminder Examples

Text my husband at +1-555-0133 every Thursday evening that tomorrow is trash day and to put the bins out before 7am.

Each of these works regardless of whether the recipient has an iPhone or Android.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Apple Reminders be shared with Android users?

No. Apple Reminders only shares lists with other Apple ID users — iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Android users are excluded entirely. If your household or team includes Android users, you'll need a third-party cross-platform app like Todoist, Microsoft To Do, or an SMS-based tool like YouGot that doesn't require the recipient to install anything.

Can I share a reminder from my iPhone to someone's Android phone?

Yes, using SMS or a cross-platform app. YouGot lets you send a reminder to any phone number — including Android phones — as a text message. The Android user receives it as a plain SMS and doesn't need to install YouGot. Alternatively, apps like Todoist and Microsoft To Do work on both iOS and Android and support shared task lists.

Does Google Tasks work for sharing reminders between iPhone and Android?

Google Tasks itself doesn't support sharing tasks with other users — it's a personal task manager. Google Calendar does support shared calendars that work across platforms, but requires both users to have Google accounts. For true shared reminders with notifications, Todoist or YouGot via SMS are more practical choices.

What's the easiest cross-platform reminder app for families with mixed devices?

For families with both iPhone and Android users, YouGot is the lowest-friction option because it delivers reminders via SMS — no app installation required on any device. The person creating reminders uses the YouGot interface; everyone else just receives a text. Todoist is better if everyone is willing to create accounts and install apps on both platforms.

How do I make sure recurring reminders sync between iPhone and Android?

The cleanest solution is to set recurring reminders in YouGot, where delivery happens via SMS to any phone number regardless of platform. For app-based sync, Todoist and Microsoft To Do both support recurring tasks that sync in real time across iOS and Android — both require accounts. See plan details at yougot.ai/#pricing.