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10 Tech How-To

Print Lists & Reminders from iPhone, iPad & Mac

Guide 10-29224 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to print lists and reminders from the built-in Reminders app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You’ll learn the exact steps for each device, including how to print a single list, all your reminders, or just the ones you’ve completed. No special software is needed—just your device and a printer that’s set up and connected.

What You’ll Need

  • An iPhone, iPad, or Mac with the Reminders app (comes preinstalled).
  • A printer that is set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device, or a printer that supports AirPrint.
  • Your reminders must be synced via iCloud (or another syncing service) if you want to print from a different device than the one where you created them.

Step-by-Step

On iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the Reminders app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap the list you want to print (e.g., “Groceries” or “Work”). If you want to print all reminders in the default “Reminders” list, tap that list.
  3. Once the list is open, tap the More button (the three dots in a circle) at the top right of the screen.
  4. From the menu that appears, tap Print.
  5. The system Print Options panel will appear. Choose your printer from the list, set the number of copies, and adjust any other options like page range.
  6. Tap Print in the top right corner of the print panel.

On Mac

  1. Open the Reminders app on your Mac (usually in the Dock or Applications folder).
  2. Select the list you want to print in the sidebar. If you want to print all reminders in a smart list like “Today” or “Scheduled”, select that list.
  3. Go to the menu bar and click File > Print… (or press Command+P).
  4. The Print dialog will open. Select your printer, choose the number of copies, and set any page range if needed.
  5. Click Print in the bottom right corner of the dialog.

Printing a Specific Subset (e.g., Completed Items)

By default, printing a list will print all reminders in that list, including completed ones. If you only want to print completed items or only incomplete ones, you can create a smart list that filters accordingly:

  1. On iPhone/iPad: Tap Add List (or the plus icon) in the bottom left, then choose Smart List. On Mac: Click File > New Smart List.
  2. Give the smart list a name, then set a filter: for example, select Completed and set it to Yes to show only completed reminders, or No to show only pending ones.
  3. Add any other filters you want (e.g., by date, priority, or list).
  4. Tap Done (iOS) or click OK (Mac).
  5. Now select that smart list and print it using the same steps as above.

Common Mistakes

  • Printing from the wrong list: Make sure you’ve selected the list you want before tapping Print. If you’re in the main Reminders view, you might print only the default list, not all your lists.
  • Expecting multiple lists to print at once: The Reminders app prints one list at a time. There’s no built-in option to print all lists in one go. You’ll need to print each list separately.
  • Forgetting to check the print preview: The print preview shows exactly what will be printed. If you see a blank page or missing items, check the list selection and filters.
  • Using a non-AirPrint printer: If your printer doesn’t support AirPrint, you may need to use the printer manufacturer’s app or a third-party printing app. The built-in Print option may not see the printer.

Tips

  • To save paper, consider printing only the incomplete items by creating a smart list with the filter “Completed is No”.
  • Use the print preview to ensure the formatting looks good. You can adjust the scale or margins in the print options if the text is too small or too large.
  • If you want a more formatted printout (e.g., with checkboxes and larger text), you can export your reminders to a PDF using the “Save as PDF” option in the print dialog, then print that PDF later.
  • On Mac, you can also use the Share menu (the square with an arrow) in the Reminders app to send a list as a PDF via Mail or Messages, then print from there.
  • If you have a lot of reminders, consider printing in landscape orientation to fit more items per page.

Troubleshooting

Print option is grayed out or missing

If the Print option is grayed out or not appearing, first make sure you have a list selected. On iPhone/iPad, the Print option is only available when you’re viewing a specific list (not the main Reminders screen). On Mac, you need to have a list highlighted in the sidebar. If it’s still grayed out, restart the Reminders app and try again.

Printer not found

If your printer doesn’t show up in the printer list, check that it’s turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device. For AirPrint printers, they should appear automatically. If not, try restarting your router and printer, or check the printer’s manual for any network setup steps. On Mac, you can also add the printer manually in System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

Printout is blank or missing items

This usually happens when you’re printing a smart list that is empty or when the list has no reminders that match the filter. Double-check the smart list’s filters to make sure they’re set correctly. Also, verify that the list actually contains reminders by looking at the app before printing.

Printout is too small or too large

In the print dialog, look for a “Scale” or “Paper Size” option. You can adjust the scale to make the text bigger or smaller. On iPhone/iPad, you may need to scroll down in the print options to find these settings. On Mac, look for the “Layout” or “Paper Handling” section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print multiple lists at once?

No, the Reminders app only prints the currently selected list. To print multiple lists, you’ll need to print each one individually.

Can I print reminders from my iPhone to a non-AirPrint printer?

Yes, but you’ll need to use the printer manufacturer’s app (like HP Smart, Canon PRINT, or Epson iPrint) to print. These apps often allow you to print documents and images, but they may not directly access your Reminders. You could take a screenshot of your list and print that, or export the list as a PDF using the share option and then print the PDF from the app.

Why does my printout include completed reminders?

By default, printing a list includes all reminders, whether they’re completed or not. To print only incomplete items, create a smart list with the filter “Completed is No” and print that instead.

Can I print a reminder list as a PDF?

Yes. In the print dialog, instead of selecting a printer, choose “Save as PDF” (on Mac) or use the share option to send the list as a PDF. On iPhone/iPad, you can also use the share sheet and select “Print”, then pinch out on the preview to get a PDF version.

Will my printed list show checkboxes?

Yes, the printout from the Reminders app includes a checkbox next to each reminder, so you can manually check them off on paper if you like.

Can I print reminders from the web version of iCloud?

Yes, you can go to iCloud.com on a computer, open the Reminders app, select a list, and use your browser’s print command (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P). The output will look slightly different, but it will include all the reminders in that list.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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