5 things you can do right now with Calendars to master time

Calendars is not just a tool; it's a powerhouse of features designed to make your life more organized and happier at the end of the day. Since today our phones are constant companions, mastering our daily routines has become essential. Calendars steps in as the ultimate guide, simplifying the puzzle of our busy lives. Here’s a look at 5 tricks that can elevate your experience with Calendars on iPhone and iPad.

Why mastering time is important?

Remember the film "In Time", where every moment holds value? If you haven't seen it, it's a thought-provoking and sci-fi movie where time literally equals money. In this world, each second is precious, and the characters must use their time wisely to survive. If you're in the mood for a movie that combines entertainment with a deep message about time, "In Time" is definitely worth a watch.

A memorable line from the protagonist, Will, goes "Four minutes for a cup of coffee?" to which his friend responds, "Yesterday it was three!"— each tick of the clock is a beat in the grand composition of our existence.

The film reminds us that time is a valuable currency. When every moment counts in our daily hustle, Calendars becomes your reliable companion in navigating the tangible aspects of time, not just an abstract concept. 

Let's explore the practical features, each designed to untangle the complexities of your life, that you might not be utilizing to their full potential.

Some features mentioned in this article are part of our premium subscription. Try them now with our exclusive 1-month free trial, specially offered to our readers. Experience the best of Calendars Pro today!

1. Sync tasks with iOS reminders or Google Tasks

Seamlessly integrate your to-do list with Calendars, syncing tasks effortlessly with iOS Reminders or Google Tasks. Whether you're managing work projects or personal goals, this feature ensures you stay organized, whether for work projects, studies, or personal goals.

Imagine you have a work deadline and a personal appointment on the same day. You can create a task for the work deadline in Calendars and an appointment reminder in iOS Reminders. These will sync, giving you a cohesive view of your day.

How to enable the tasks sync on iPhone/iPad:

• Open Calendars
• Tap the three-line icon to access the sidebar
• Tap the Settings icon
• Tap Tasks Options
• Enable iOS Reminders or Google Tasks

Note: to see the Google Tasks toggle, ensure your Google account is added in Calendars > Settings > Account.

The sync can be set up for either Google Tasks or Reminders at a time.

How to enable the tasks sync on Mac:

• Launch Calendars
• Tap ⌘ or Preferences in the Menu Bar
• Ensure both devices have the same accounts connected under the Accounts sections and calendar set in the Default Calendar section.
• Make sure that the same account is enabled for tasks in Settings on iPhone/iPad and Preferences on Mac > Task Options 

If they do, but tasks still aren't syncing, follow these steps:

• If the tasks still don't sync on one of your devices, open Settings/Preferences on the device where you don't see your tasks, select Task Options and re-enable Google Tasks/Reminders toggle to re-sync the tasks.

2. Add interactive widgets to your iPhone or iPad

The new collection of accessible and user-friendly widgets have been introduced with the release of iOS 17, allowing you to interact with your schedule without even opening the app. From monthly overviews to date-specific details, these widgets cater to diverse scheduling needs. Well, it looks like a beauty, too. 

For example, if you’re planning a busy week, consider the efficiency of using the "ultimate calendar widget dashboard" for a clear overview of the week. By integrating the Dual-Week Widget with the Interactive Agenda Widget, one can gain a comprehensive understanding of their weekly schedule. The Dual-Week Widget displays the week's activities with different types of events indicated by colored circles, providing a quick visual summary. In tandem, the Interactive Agenda Widget offers detailed insights into upcoming events.

This combination creates an effective and compact calendar system, almost like a mini calendar app on the home screen, which is particularly useful for multitasking and keeping track of schedules at a glance. More on Widgets here.

How to add widgets on the home screen:

• Long tap any empty space on your Home screen to enter the jiggle mode.
• Tap + at the top left.
• Find Calendars on the list.
• Select the preferable widget.

To remove a widget, enter the jiggle mode by a long tap on any empty space on your Home Screen and tap the minus sign at the top left of the widget.

3. Create recurring events for regular activities

Regular activities, such as weekly gym sessions or Spanish classes, are an integral part of our routines. To keep track of these recurring events effortlessly, you can use Calendars app to create events that repeat according to your schedule, be it weekly, monthly, or on a specific pattern like every 3rd Tuesday of the month.

For instance, if you attend a yoga class every workday, you can set it as a recurring event in your calendar. Simply choose the repeat option for every workday when creating the event. This way, you won’t have to remember to add each session manually.

How to set up recurring events:

• Open the Calendars app by Readdle.
• Tap on the "+" icon at the top right to create a new event.
• Tap on ‘More details’ and select 'Repeat'. Choose the appropriate repetition frequency from the drop-down menu. Whether it's weekly for your gym visits or monthly for a book club meeting, you have the flexibility to tailor the recurrence to your needs.
• Once you've set the repeat interval, click 'Save' at the top right.

4. Manage your schedule with our renewed Calendars version on Apple Watch

The Calendars app now offers enhanced integration with Apple Watch, allowing for easy access to your schedule right on your wrist. This feature is perfect for those times when using a phone or laptop is inconvenient. 

Whether you’re walking, cycling, or reading, you can access your agenda by simply looking at your watch. By using watch faces, you can automatically from your wrist set one of our watch faces. Choose from six pre-designed watch faces that display important calendar information while matching your personal style. 

The easiest way to install one of these watch faces is to click on the following download link on your iPhone and allow the download to begin.

5. Set up reminders

With Calendars, you can set up to 5 reminders for each event. To streamline your scheduling process, consider adding a default alert that will automatically apply to all newly created events. This ensures you're consistently reminded of your commitments without having to set individual reminders each time.

Imagine you have a busy schedule with multiple meetings throughout the week. By setting a default alert for 15 minutes before each event, you’ll receive a timely reminder for every meeting you add to your calendar. Whether it's a last-minute addition or a planned appointment, the default alert ensures you’re always prepared and on time.

How to add a default alert:

For iPhone:

• Open Calendars and tap the 'Settings' gear icon.
• Choose 'Alert options.'
• Tap 'Alert 15 min before' and select your preferred alert timing, like 15 minutes or 1 hour before the event. 

For iPad:

• Open Calendars and go to 'Settings' from the main menu.
• Select 'Alert options.'
• Choose 'Add Default Reminder' and set your desired reminder time.

A little hint: Using Calendars, you can effortlessly generate events by typing a descriptive title in everyday English. The application will interpret your input and automatically schedule the event for you. This functionality is presently accessible in languages including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and more. Access to 'Setting', and then 'Edit options'. Slide the green toggle switch to the right only to activate the function. 

Conclusion : your personal time management assistant

At its core, Calendars offers much more than just scheduling capabilities – it provides a comprehensive overview of your time, a crucial resource in everyone's life. Think of Calendars as a detailed map of your daily, weekly, and monthly activities. This 'time map' helps you understand if your hours are being spent on what truly matters to you. Are your days filled with activities that align with your personal and professional goals? Calendars helps you answer these questions.

This time map is not static. As you gain insights from it, you can make informed decisions to reallocate your time - perhaps to free up space for more enjoyable activities or to enhance your productivity. The satisfaction of having control over your time, of being productive while also attending to your personal needs, is invaluable.

In essence, Calendars is more than an app; it's a partner in your journey toward efficient and meaningful time management. So, explore its features, tailor them to your needs, and watch as your days unfold with more clarity and purpose, guided by Calendars, your personal time management assistant.

“If you had as much time as I have, on that clock, what would you do with it?”

Some features mentioned in this article are part of our premium subscription. Try them now with our exclusive 1-month free trial, specially offered to our readers. Experience the best of Calendars Pro today!