Google Tasks = Google Tasks
Google Tasks is a somewhat lesser-known service from Google. The tasks are linked to your Google account and can be viewed in Gmail, Google Calendar and the dedicated Tasks app for iOS. It’s a counterpart to Apple’s own Reminders app. What can you do with it and is it interesting to switch to Google Tasks?
- Differences
- Download app
- Characteristics
- Lists
- browser
Google Tasks vs Reminders: The Differences
Google Tasks is meant to be a simple to-do list, not a project planner. That’s why it doesn’t offer nearly as many features as Todoist and other to-do list apps, and even relative to Apple’s Reminders, the feature count is rather disappointing.
Below are the main differences between Google Tasks and Apple’s Reminders. One of them is that Google Tasks works closely with Google services, while Apple naturally syncs with iCloud.
With Google tasks you have:
- No location (at Apple it is).
- No Shared To Do Lists.
- No Priorities and colors.
- No reminder when you get in or out of the car.
Both services can be accessed via an app and via the browser, but it will be clear that Google Tasks is much more limited than many other to-do lists. Therefore, it is only suitable for small jobs and lists.
Download Google Tasks app
Google has a separate app aptly named Google Tasks. In time, the name of the app may be adapted to the Dutch name that Google uses on the web (Taken). How to use the app:
- Install the Google Tasks app from the link below.
- You go through a few steps and can immediately start with your first task.
- Enter a description and press Save.
- That is it!
Google Tasks: properties of a task
You can provide a task with the following properties:
- Name (required)
- Longer description
- Date and time
- Subtasks
Only the name is required, the rest is optional. As you can see this is quite limited.
To-do lists in Google Tasks
You can create multiple task lists in Google Tasks:
- Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom left.
- Tap Create New List.
- Enter a name for the list.
Once you have created a list you can rename the list, delete the list or delete all completed tasks. You can also sort the list by due date. There are no other options.
If you want to switch between lists, press the three horizontal lines again. In the image above you see two different profile pictures. This allows you to switch between two different Google accounts. Exchanging task lists is not possible.
Google Tasks in your browser
You can view Google Tasks on any compatible device through your browser. To do this, go to mail.google.com/tasks/canvas. You can then tap New Task to add an item or click New List to create an additional task list. Tasks can be checked off by selecting the box next to the task.
Tasks can also be seen in Google Calendar and in Gmail on a desktop computer. To do this, you may have to switch from the Reminders view to the Tasks view in the calendar:
- On the left, under My calendars, click Tasks. You will now see your to-do list.
- If the tasks are not visible, click the down arrow next to Reminders and choose Switch to tasks.
You can read more about this on this support page from Google.
Learn more about Google Tasks
Important to know that Google Tasks is an online service. So all your tasks are stored in the cloud: they are stored on Google’s computers and not locally on your own. You can access it from any computer, smartphone or tablet. Because it is so simple, it is especially suitable for shopping lists, as a replacement for paper notes. By setting deadlines for a task, you can ensure that it appears in your Google Calendar.
If you want to always have Google Tasks within reach on the desktop, download the Google Tasks extension for Chrome. As you have already understood, Google Tasks is not recommended if you want to plan extensive projects, but it is fine to use for a quick list of things you want to remember.
Still prefer Apple’s Reminders app? We have all kinds of tips to get the most out of it.
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