Migration
Move from Apple Reminders to Done Bear
Apple Reminders has no bulk export on a current Mac. Copy reminders in the Done Bear iPhone app, or bring an .ics file from an older Mac to the web importer.
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The short answer
Done Bear imports Apple Reminders two ways. The iPhone app copies incomplete reminders, with notes and due dates, from the lists you pick. The web importer reads an .ics file, one list at a time, with subtasks, repeating rules, completed reminders and attachment links. Current Reminders has no bulk export, so that file comes from an older Mac.
What to export from Apple Reminders
The file to bring: Exported .ics list
- 1.Use an existing .ics export, or select a list in Reminders on macOS Mojave or earlier.
- 2.On that older Mac, choose File → Export… and save the .ics file.
- 3.Upload one .ics file at a time and check the preview before importing.
Full guide: how to export Apple Reminders
What Apple Reminders concepts become in Done Bear
| Apple Reminders | Done Bear | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| List | Project | Named after the list. On iPhone, one per list you pick. |
| Due date | Deadline | Today or earlier shows in Today. |
| Due time | Reminder | On iPhone, only a future time sets one. |
| Start date | Start date | From a file only. |
| Repeat | Repeat rule | From a file, kept when Done Bear can run it, otherwise narrowed or kept as text. On iPhone, text only. |
| Subtask | Checklist item | From a file, when it has no dates, notes, tags, repeat or attachments. Otherwise its own task. Not on iPhone. |
| Completed reminder | Logbook | From a file only. |
| Category | Label | From a file only. |
| Priority | Not imported | Done Bear has no priority. |
| Attachment | Link in the description | From a file only. The files stay in Reminders. |
| Flag, location and early reminder | Not imported |
What comes across and what does not
Comes across
- Attachments
- Completed tasks
- Tags and labels
- Projects and lists
- Repeating tasks
- Sub-tasks
Stays behind
- Areas and folders (become teams)
- Apple's File → Export command is available only on macOS Mojave or earlier. Current Reminders versions have no bulk export command.
- For a CSV or JSON file created with Shortcuts, go back and choose the matching file format instead.
- Attachment links are kept in the description, but the files stay in Reminders.
Running the import
On the web, open Settings, then Import, choose Apple Reminders and upload your file. Nothing is written until you confirm the preview. Re-importing adds only what is new, and the completion screen offers an undo that keeps your later edits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I export Apple Reminders on the current macOS?
No. File then Export exists only on macOS Mojave or earlier, so on newer devices use a Shortcut that writes a file, or the Done Bear iPhone app.
Can I import Apple Reminders on my iPhone?
Yes, with no file: in the Done Bear iPhone app, open Settings, Import, Reminders and pick your lists. Incomplete reminders arrive with notes and due dates, while completed ones, attachments, tags and subtask links stay behind.
Do repeating reminders keep repeating?
From an .ics file, yes, when Done Bear can run the rule. From the iPhone app, no: the repeat arrives as text.
Does importing change anything in Apple Reminders?
No. Neither importer signs in to iCloud or changes Reminders, though Reminders Inbox, a separate iPhone feature, removes a reminder once you import it, and asks first.