Why Marco Arment Built Unforgetful for Apple Reminders Users

Marco Arment, the indie developer behind Overcast and Instapaper, has released Unforgetful, a new iOS and Mac app that works with Apple's existing Reminders database but changes how reminders behave. Arment says he never opened Apple Reminders because he disliked its appearance, organization and icon, and he built Unforgetful around the specific ways he lost tasks: accidental dismissals, reminders without a time, and a snooze system that did not fit his habits.

The new app keeps notifications repeating until a task is actually completed and deleted, even if the user dismisses the alert earlier. Snooze intervals also scale as a person keeps snoozing, creating more persistent nudges without dumping multiple tasks on the user at once. The app has no tags, separate views or organization modes, keeping the interface deliberately simple.

Unforgetful's biggest practical difference is that it reads and writes the same reminders database used by Apple's app. That means users can continue adding tasks through Siri, and they do not need to export reminders if they stop using Unforgetful. The app includes an in-app microphone for voice reminders and Lock Screen and Control Center widgets. It costs $19.99 per year and works across Mac and iOS.

What Unforgetful's Apple Integration and Simple Design Actually Change

The Apple Reminders integration lowers the usual switching cost

Most third-party reminder apps require users to maintain a separate task list or move data when leaving. Unforgetful avoids both by operating directly on Apple's Reminders database. That preserves Siri input and keeps the user's reminders in Apple's system, reducing the risk of being locked into a new app. The design targets people who want a different notification layer, not a replacement productivity platform.

The narrow feature set is a deliberate bet on follow-through

The absence of tags, lists and advanced organization tools removes decisions for users who already struggle to act on reminders. The trade-off is that Apple Reminders remains more capable for structured project management, while Unforgetful competes mainly on alert persistence and a simpler daily loop. At $19.99 per year, it is positioned as a paid utility for people who want a persistent reminder layer, while Apple's own app remains the more comprehensive free option.

Who Might Find Unforgetful Worth $19.99 a Year

  • If you add reminders through Siri, Unforgetful requires no migration: it uses your existing Apple Reminders database, so the only setup change is replacing Apple's notifications.
  • Consider the $19.99 annual subscription carefully if you only need basic reminders; Apple's built-in Reminders app is the free default and includes more advanced organization features.
  • The repeating alerts and scaling snooze intervals are aimed at users who dismiss reminders before finishing tasks, so judge the app against that specific habit rather than as a general productivity upgrade.
  • Because Unforgetful is available only on iOS and Mac, it is not a solution for Android or Windows users.