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Phone MirrorHow to Back Up iPhone Reminders: 2 Reliable Methods
Posted by Boey Wong / September 21, 2026 09:00 
The Reminders app on iPhone is one of those tools that quietly becomes essential. You use it for grocery lists, work deadlines, medication schedules, and birthday reminders. So when you switch phones, reset your device, or accidentally delete a list, losing all those reminders can be a real problem. Backing them up regularly is the easiest way to make sure that never happens.
In this guide, I will show you two reliable ways to back up iPhone reminders: the built-in iCloud method and a more flexible option using FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore. Both work, and I will explain the pros and cons of each so you can choose the right one.
Guide List
Part 1. Why Back Up iPhone Reminders?
You might be thinking, "Does not iCloud already back up everything?" The answer is yes, but with caveats. iCloud syncs reminders across devices, but syncing is not the same as a backup. If you delete a reminder on one device, it gets deleted everywhere. A proper backup gives you a point-in-time copy you can restore from.
Here are the most common scenarios where a reminder backup saves the day:
- Switching to a new iPhone. A backup makes it easy to transfer all your reminders to the new device.
- Accidental deletion. It is easy to swipe-delete a reminder list by mistake. A backup lets you recover it.
- iCloud sync conflicts. Sometimes reminders disappear after an iOS update or a sync glitch.
- Factory reset. If you need to erase your phone, a backup ensures your reminders come back.
- Device loss or damage. If your phone is lost or broken, a backup means you do not lose your lists.
Now let us look at the two methods. Method 1 is the free iCloud approach, and Method 2 gives you more control with a local computer backup.
Part 2. Method 1: Back Up Reminders to iCloud
iCloud is the simplest way to keep your reminders backed up because it happens automatically. Here is how to make sure it is turned on and working.
Step 1On your iPhone, open Settings and tap your name at the top.
Step 2Tap iCloud, then scroll down and make sure the toggle next to Reminders is turned on (green).
Step 3Go back to iCloud and tap iCloud Backup. Make sure Back Up This iPhone is turned on.
Step 4Tap Back Up Now to create an immediate backup. Keep the phone connected to Wi-Fi until the backup finishes.
Once iCloud backup is enabled, your iPhone will automatically back up reminders (and other data) whenever it is connected to Wi-Fi, locked, and charging. You can check the last successful backup time in the same iCloud Backup menu.
The downside of iCloud is that you only get 5GB of free storage, shared across all your devices and data. If you have a lot of photos and videos, your iCloud backup might fail due to insufficient space. Also, you cannot selectively back up just reminders; it is an all-or-nothing backup. For more control, try Method 2.
FoneLab enables you to backup and restore iPhone/iPad/iPod without data loss.
- Backup and restore iOS data to your PC/Mac easily.
- Preview data in detail before you restore data from backups.
- Selective backup for call logs, contacts, messages, photos and more.
Part 3. Method 2: Back Up Reminders to Computer with FoneLab
If you want more control over your backups, or if your iCloud storage is full, FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore lets you back up just the reminders (or any other data type) to your Windows PC or Mac. It is fast, does not require internet, and gives you a local file you can restore from anytime.
Step 1Download and install FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore on your computer. Open it and choose iOS Data Backup & Restore.
Step 2Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Tap Trust on the iPhone if prompted.
Step 3Click iOS Data Backup. Choose Standard Backup for a regular backup, or Encrypted Backup if you want to password-protect the file.
Step 4On the data selection screen, check the box next to Reminders. You can also select other data types if you want to back them up at the same time.
Step 5Click Next and choose a location on your computer to save the backup file. Click Backup to start.
When the backup is complete, you will see a summary screen. The backup file is stored locally on your computer, so you do not need internet access to restore from it. You can also make multiple backups at different times, which is useful if you want to keep historical versions of your reminders.
Part 4. Comparison: iCloud vs. FoneLab Backup
Which method is right for you? Here is a side-by-side comparison.
| iCloud Backup | FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage location | Cloud (Apple servers) | Local computer |
| Selective backup | No (all data) | Yes (choose reminders only) |
| Free storage | 5GB (shared) | Unlimited (your disk) |
| Needs internet | Yes | No |
| Encryption | Optional | Optional |
| Multiple backups | Only latest | Yes, unlimited |
For most users, iCloud is sufficient as long as you have enough storage. But if you want to back up only reminders, keep multiple backup versions, or avoid relying on cloud storage, FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore is the better choice. Many people use both: iCloud for automatic daily backups and FoneLab for occasional full local backups.
Another advantage of local backups is that you can access them without an internet connection. If you are traveling or in an area with poor connectivity, you can still restore your reminders from a computer backup. Local backups also give you more control over your data privacy, since the files are stored on your own computer rather than on Apple's servers.
Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is to back up regularly. Set a reminder to check your backup status once a month, and make sure iCloud Backup is turned on if you rely on it. A few minutes of prevention can save you hours of frustration if you ever lose your reminders.
FoneLab enables you to backup and restore iPhone/iPad/iPod without data loss.
- Backup and restore iOS data to your PC/Mac easily.
- Preview data in detail before you restore data from backups.
- Selective backup for call logs, contacts, messages, photos and more.
Part 5. How to Restore Reminders from Backup
Having a backup is only useful if you know how to restore from it. Here is how to restore reminders using both methods.
From iCloud: Go to Settings > your name > iCloud and make sure Reminders is turned on. Your reminders should sync back automatically. If they do not, you can also go to icloud.com, sign in, click Account Settings, and use Restore Reminders under Advanced to restore from an archived version.
From FoneLab: Open FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore, click iOS Data Restore, select the backup file containing your reminders, and click View Now. Choose the reminders you want to restore and click Restore to Device or Restore to PC.
The FoneLab method is more flexible because you can preview the reminders before restoring and choose exactly which ones to bring back. You can also restore them to your computer as a file for printing or archiving.
FoneLab enables you to backup and restore iPhone/iPad/iPod without data loss.
- Backup and restore iOS data to your PC/Mac easily.
- Preview data in detail before you restore data from backups.
- Selective backup for call logs, contacts, messages, photos and more.
Part 6. FAQs about Backing Up iPhone Reminders
Will iCloud backup include my reminders?
Yes, as long as the Reminders toggle is turned on in iCloud settings. Go to Settings > your name > iCloud and verify that Reminders is enabled.
Can I back up reminders without iCloud?
Yes. You can use FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore to back up reminders directly to your computer without using iCloud. This is useful if your iCloud storage is full or you prefer local backups.
How often should I back up my reminders?
iCloud backs up automatically when your phone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. For local backups with FoneLab, I recommend doing one every few weeks or before any major iOS update or device change.
Can I transfer reminders from iPhone to Android?
There is no direct way to transfer iPhone reminders to Android. You can use a third-party app or manually recreate them. Alternatively, back up your reminders with FoneLab and export them to your computer for reference.
Backing up your iPhone reminders takes only a few minutes, and it can save you from losing important lists and deadlines. Use iCloud for automatic cloud backups and FoneLab iOS Data Backup & Restore for selective local backups. For more backup tips, check how to back up iPhone to iCloud or back up iPhone to Mac.
