Indie developer Marco Arment launches Unforgetful to curb Apple Reminders snooze habits
Unforgetful, the latest offering from the creator of Overcast and Instapaper, targets users who struggle with Apple’s native task management by ensuring reminders repeat until completed.
Indie developer Marco Arment has released Unforgetful, a new application for iOS and Mac designed to address common frustrations with Apple’s native Reminders app. Arment, known for his previous work on Overcast and Instapaper and his tenure as Tumblr’s chief technology officer, positioned the app as a solution for users who find themselves repeatedly hitting snooze or accidentally dismissing tasks.
The application functions by integrating directly with Apple’s existing Reminders database, allowing users to retain their current task lists without the need for data migration. Rather than replacing the underlying data structure, Unforgetful substitutes the notification system. This approach enables users to continue using Siri to create reminders without requiring explicit configuration to route those commands to the new app.
Key functionalities include persistent notifications that continue to repeat until a task is explicitly completed and deleted. This feature aims to prevent tasks from being lost due to accidental dismissal or missed alerts. Additionally, the app introduces scaled snooze intervals, which increase in duration as users continue to defer tasks, while avoiding the overwhelming effect of multiple simultaneous notifications that can lead to decision paralysis.
Unforgetful maintains a minimalist interface, deliberately omitting advanced organisational tools such as tags, multiple views, or distinct modes. Arment noted that for users requiring complex organisation, Apple’s native app remains the superior choice. The app also includes built-in voice input capabilities and a suite of widgets for the Lock Screen and Control Center.
The service is available as a subscription at $19.99 per year. Users can deactivate Apple Reminders notifications in favour of Unforgetful’s alerts and revert the change without exporting data, as the tasks remain stored in the original Apple database. The app launched on Friday and is compatible with both iOS and Mac operating systems.
