Google Tasks: 10 Tips to help you stay productive and on schedule
Google Tasks is a standalone app that helps you create tasks and subtasks, set reminders, and add detailed notes so that you can stay on top of your to-do list. Although the app isn’t as robust as other task management apps like Todoist and Trello, Google Tasks is a great option for Google power users, thanks to the app’s seamless integration with Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar. The Google Tasks app works well on Android and iOS, while the web version can be used on PCs, laptops, andbudget Chromebooks.
If you want to organize your daily tasks and increase your productivity, here are 10 tips and tricks to use Google Tasks and achieve that goal.
What is Google Tasks used for?
Google Tasks is a free to-do list application that organizes your everyday activities. You can create tasks and assign due dates and a time to them. There’s a subtask option for breaking down complex projects into smaller bits. When your task meets the deadline, you’ll receive a notification on your device and can mark it as complete or set it to repeat at a later date.
You can also separate tasks into lists, which is beneficial if you want to keep work and personal chores separate. The app is part ofGoogle Workspace, and you can access it for free with a Google account. You’ll download and install Tasks from the Google Play Store or Apple Store, as it’s not preinstalled on your phone. However, there isn’t an app for PCs, and you can only access it as an add-on to the web app versions of Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
You can perform the following procedures on your Android smartphone or computer, but it’s easier with phones as there’s a mobile app with every feature you need in one place. On your computer, you’ll use Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides to access Google Tasks as an add-on.
Create recurring tasks
Google Tasks allows you to specify a date and time when a task will repeat. Use this function to receive regular notifications of activities you’ll repeat within the week. You don’t have to create a new task from scratch when you need a reminder about that activity.
Create recurring tasks on Android phones
Create recurring tasks on computers
Create new lists
Create lists for shopping, groceries, holidays, and formal meetings on Google Tasks. By default, the app creates a My Tasks list for you. Although you can’t delete the list, you can rename it and add tasks to it.
Create lists on Android phones
Create lists on computers
Add subtasks
Use subtasks to divide complicated tasks into smaller parts. Subtasks give you a clear view of your priorities and help you complete them faster. For example, if your task is to bake a cake, your subtasks are a breakdown of the procedures. This arrangement keeps you from missing key steps in the process.
Add subtasks on Android smartphones
Add subtasks on computers
Add details
You can leave a small note under every task or subtask to describe what it’s about or add more information to it, but you can’t add media files like videos and images. However, the Details section supports up to 700 words, so you can leave as much information about your task as needed.
Add task details on Android smartphones
Add task details on computers
Move tasks between lists
If you create a new task in the wrong list, you can move it to the correct destination. You don’t have to delete it and create a new one. However, you can’t move subtasks independently because they’re attached to the main task. The best option is to erase the subtask and recreate it under the right task in the right list.
Move tasks between lists on Android smartphones
Move tasks between lists on computers
Move Google Assistant reminders to Tasks
When you create a new reminder or make changes to existing ones on your Google Assistant app, the changes don’t sync with the Tasks app. You need to migrate your existing reminders from the Assistant app to Tasks. Moving your reminders gives you a less cluttered interface and a more organized notification system.
Some Android smartphones, likethe Pixel 7, have Google Assistant preinstalled, while others need to install it from the Google Play Store. Google has not released an official app for PCs, but it’s possible to migrate your Assistant reminders to Tasks using Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
Move Google Assistant reminders on Android smartphones
Move Google Assistant reminders on computers
Use a dark theme
In the Google Tasks app, you can choose from three themes:
Dark mode is available for Google Tasks on Android phones but not for the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides web apps. You’ll downloada Chrome extension to use Dark modeon your PC.
Explore Tasks widgets
Google Tasks widgets allow you to quickly view and use basic functionalities like creating, moving, and marking tasks from your phone’s homescreen. You can drag them to the desired position and enlarge or reduce the size. Use the widgets to reduce the time it takes to find and open the Tasks app. Tasks widgets are not available for PCs.
Move Gmail emails to Google Tasks
Google Tasks integrates with Gmail so that you’re able to turn emails into tasks. The email isn’t deleted. You can view it in the Gmail app. Google Tasks uses the email’s subject as your task’s title, but you can edit it. The app also links to the email you created the task from so that you can locate it easily.
Move emails to Google Tasks on Android smartphones
Move emails to Google Tasks on computers
Share Google Tasks from Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Since Google Tasks integrates with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, you may create tasks inside your documents from your computer. All three Workspace apps support real-time collaboration, so you can grant people viewing or editing access to your documents to allow them to view and complete tasks.Google Docs notifies you when someone changes anythingin your document, and you can monitor their progress in completing the tasks.
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Never miss a reminder again
Google Tasks is a simple yet handy task management app that helps you stay organized. The best part is that the app integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Google Docs, and Slides. But if the bare-bones UI and lack of advanced features like tags and folders puts you off, you can try out alternativetask management apps for Android.
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