How to use your phone assistant for reminders and more

You can make your phone and its assistant help you with everyday tasks. This post shows you how to set up reminders, manage shopping lists, get transport information, and organise appointments using the technology you already own.

Why use your phone assistant for reminders and other tasks?

Many people already have a phone with a built-in assistant. These assistants can help with many daily activities, from remembering small tasks to managing your schedule. Using your phone assistant for reminders and other organisation can free up your attention for other things. It can also help you keep track of important information without needing to write it down or remember it yourself. This can be especially helpful for routines or one-off tasks that might otherwise be forgotten.

Getting started with your phone assistant

Before you begin, make sure your phone's assistant is turned on and ready to use. You might need to check your phone's settings to enable it. Most assistants respond to a voice command, or you can open them by tapping an icon. It is a good idea to speak clearly and directly when giving instructions. If the assistant does not understand you, try rephrasing your request simply. You can also type your requests if you prefer.

Setting up reminders

One of the most common ways to use your phone assistant is for reminders. You can ask your assistant to remind you about almost anything. For example, you can ask your assistant to remind you about a task at a specific time, or to remind you about something when you arrive at a particular place. You can also set recurring reminders for things you need to do regularly. This can be useful for daily routines, weekly checks, or monthly tasks. Always check that the reminder has been set correctly by asking your assistant to list your current reminders.

Managing shopping and to-do lists

Your phone assistant can also help you manage shopping lists or other to-do lists. Instead of writing items down, you can simply tell your assistant what to add. This is handy when you think of something you need while you are busy with another task. You can also ask your assistant to read out your list when you are at the shop, or when you are ready to start your tasks. This keeps all your list items in one place and accessible. If you make a mistake, you can ask your assistant to remove items from the list.

Getting transport information

Another helpful feature is getting transport information. You can ask your assistant about public transport schedules, such as when the next bus or train is due. You can also ask about potential delays or disruptions on your usual routes. This can help you plan your travel more effectively and avoid unexpected waits. Remember that transport information relies on real-time data, so it is always a good idea to check closer to your travel time for the most up-to-date details.

Organising appointments and your calendar

Your phone assistant can help you manage your calendar and appointments. You can ask it to add new events to your calendar, such as a meeting or a personal appointment. You can also ask what appointments you have coming up. This can help you stay organised and keep track of your schedule. Always confirm that the appointment has been added correctly by checking your calendar. If you need to change an appointment, you can ask your assistant to modify or remove it.

Keeping control and checking results

It is important to stay in control of your technology. Always check that your phone assistant has understood your request and set things up as you intended. For example, after setting a reminder, ask your assistant to confirm it. After adding an item to a list, ask it to read the list back to you. If something is not right, simply tell your assistant to correct it or try again. You can also explore how to set your AI's rules once with custom instructions to make AI more accessible and predictable.

Next steps for using your phone assistant

Start by trying one new task with your phone assistant each week. Begin with simple reminders and then move on to more complex tasks like managing your calendar or getting transport updates. The more you use it, the more comfortable you will become. You can also learn more about asking for a brief, not a chat for clearer communication with AI tools.

If you would like support to build this skill, AI mentoring is aXai's program for people with disability who want to learn AI tools for their own goals, at their own pace. You can register your interest on the page.

aXai is a disability-led AI, software and accessibility company, delivering through AI-supported work: skilled people with disability in real, properly paid roles, with AI removing the barriers. Read how AI-supported work works.