Keep a list both homes can see

A list is the small things a family has to remember together: the shopping run, the bag for the weekend at the other house, what a birthday still needs. It lives with the calendar rather than in one person’s notes app, so whoever is at the shop can see what is still wanted.

Make a list

1. Open Lists.
2. Select New list and give it a name.
3. Mark it Private if it is only yours. A private list is one nobody else in the family can see, for the present you are hiding or the notes you keep for yourself. A private list shows a padlock beside its name. You can change this later.

The Free plan includes one list; Plus has no limit.

Add and check off items

1. Open the list and type into Add an item.
2. Tick an item when it is bought or done.

A ticked item stays where it was written rather than sinking to the bottom, so the list keeps the order it was made in and you can see at a glance what is left. Untick it to put it back on the list. Select the three dots beside a list’s name to edit, hide or delete it.

Edit a list

1. Select the three dots beside the list’s name, then Edit list.
2. Change the name, or under Who can see it choose Everyone in the family or Only me.
3. Select Save.

Anyone who can see a list can rename it. Only the person who made a list can change who sees it; everyone else sees who that is.

If you make a shared list Only me after someone else added items or checked them off, you are asked first, because they will not see the list anymore. Their items stay on the list. Sharing a private list with the family again brings it back for everyone, with everything on it.

Who sees a list

Everyone in the family sees a family list, parents and helpers alike, and any of them can add to it or check things off. Only its owner sees a private list. The list says who made it and how many items are bought, so two people at two shops are not buying the same thing.

Show a list on a child’s device

If your child has their own iPad or phone in Child mode, a list can appear there too. In the list’s settings, pick the child under Show on a child’s device. They can add, check off and delete items, but not rename or delete the list. See set up your child’s own iPad or phone.

On a phone

Lists has its own tab, and works the same way. A list you have opened before is there without a connection; adding and ticking need one.