Latest news with #TickTick
Android Authority
07-06-2025
- Android Authority
This free to-do list app keeps me organized and sane
Megan Ellis / Android Authority For a long time I wondered if I was simply immune to the productivity benefits of to-do list apps since they didn't actually help me complete my goals in the long-term. It seemed like if I wasn't able to complete a task right away, it would disappear into the ether, never to be seen again or ultimately completed. Then a colleague suggested TickTick to me in 2018. The app impressed me so much that I use it to this day even though more recent productivity apps have launched on the market — it has become one of the free apps I can't live without. What is your favorite to-do list app? 0 votes TickTick NaN % Todoist NaN % Google Tasks NaN % Microsoft To Do NaN % Another app (let us know in the comments!) NaN % TickTick continues to be the best to-do list app for me Megan Ellis / Android Authority A common problem I encounter when using productivity apps is that they try to do too much at once and it actually takes some time to set them up and get acquainted with their features. Considering I have ADHD, an app that can help me keep organized makes my life easier. But at the same time, I get overwhelmed when there's too much information to take in and too much to learn in a short period of time. It also means that when a task is not front-and-center, I will often forget about it. You can't count on me to open an app daily to check my reminders if it's not already in my daily routine. That's where TickTick excels — it's simple and intuitive and doesn't force you to get to grips with all of its features at once. And that's where TickTick excels — it's simple and intuitive and doesn't force you to get to grips with all of its features at once. In fact, you don't need to even create an account to get started. You simply install the app and start adding tasks right away. These tasks can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be. For example, I usually set my tasks to be a simple text note that pops up at a certain time. But if you want to categorize your reminders, you can add tags, subtasks, priority flags, and attachments. You can also assign them to specific lists if you want to organize your tasks further. For example, I have lists for Shopping, Work, and Personal items. Other features include a calendar view (though some calendar views are locked behind a paywall), a habit tracker, an Eisenhower Matrix tab, and a newly launched countdown feature. But I mostly use it for the reminder features, in conjunction with other free apps that keep me organized. When I set reminders, they also live in my notification bar, even if I dismiss the initial popup. This takes care of the problem of needing a task to remain front-and-center. Whenever I check my phone, the list of daily tasks is there waiting for me. The feature that keeps me coming back Megan Ellis / Android Authority Besides its simple yet powerful interface, there's another feature that keeps me coming back to TickTick — the ability to snooze my notifications. This is the first thing that set apart the app for me and it ensured that even if I couldn't get to a task right away, I would be reminded of it later. You could argue that this just feeds into my habit of procrastinating, but more often than not, it gives me the time to prepare for the task and get started. For example, I may get a reminder to email someone when I'm not currently at my desk — so I can snooze it for 15 minutes while I finish my coffee and turn my PC on. If I realize I won't be getting to my task that day, I can snooze it to ping me the next day instead. This is perfect on days where something interrupts my schedule or I end up with an unexpected migraine and can't complete my tasks for the day. The app doesn't constantly send me notifications for lower priority tasks. At the same time, the app doesn't constantly send me notifications for lower priority tasks. If it did, the notifications would actually hamper my productivity rather than bolster it. I have a reminder for a blog post that has been sitting in my TickTick inbox for weeks, but that's not due to me forgetting it, but me struggling to find the time to complete it. So I let it sit in my inbox so that it stays in the periphery of tasks I must eventually accomplish, without it becoming a nuisance that causes me to prematurely dismiss it. Is TickTick's premium plan worth it? Megan Ellis / Android Authority So if TickTick is such a great app, why don't I subscribe to the premium plan? This mostly has to do with my own personal preferences and keeping my software subscriptions to a minimum. There was a time I was subscribed to the app's premium plan, but I ended up canceling my subscription because I wasn't using the premium features enough to justify the cost. I think that TickTick's premium version is one of the better options out. That said, I do think that TickTick's premium version is one of the better options out there if you're looking for a to-do list app that can integrate with other software and sync multiple calendars. The annual plan costs $35.99, making it more affordable than many of its alternatives. With the premium version, you get access to more calendar views, the filter feature, more lists, more active tasks, the Constant Reminder feature, and more attachments per day. Since I value TickTick's simplicity, its free plan does more than enough for me. I am also able to sync my smartphone's local calendars without needing the premium plan. But if you like TickTick and you just want to extend its functionality, then I'd recommend trying out its premium version. Are there any TickTick alternatives out there? Megan Ellis / Android Authority While TickTick is perfect for my needs, you might still be on the lookout for other to-do list apps that have certain features or integrations. While the premium version of TickTick supports integration with calendars and more calendar views, not everyone wants to have to pay for a reminder app. If TickTick isn't for you, consider one of these alternatives: Todoist: While some people might find Todoist a bit overwhelming, it includes plenty of features in its free version. One of Todoist's best features is the availability of templates, which you can copy over to create tasks from. For example, the Shopping List template gives you categories and items you can edit and then check off. Its calendar view is also better at getting a days-long overview of what you have ahead of you. I also like that you can enable morning and evening overviews for your tasks, which would be useful for people that like to check-in with their daily progress. While some people might find Todoist a bit overwhelming, it includes plenty of features in its free version. One of Todoist's best features is the availability of templates, which you can copy over to create tasks from. For example, the Shopping List template gives you categories and items you can edit and then check off. Its calendar view is also better at getting a days-long overview of what you have ahead of you. I also like that you can enable morning and evening overviews for your tasks, which would be useful for people that like to check-in with their daily progress. Google Tasks: If you're looking for a completely free to-do list app, then Tasks includes essential features such as checklists and reminders. The app is best suited for those who already use other Google apps such as Google Calendar and Gmail since it allows you to create new tasks from within them. If you're looking for a completely free to-do list app, then Tasks includes essential features such as checklists and reminders. The app is best suited for those who already use other Google apps such as Google Calendar and Gmail since it allows you to create new tasks from within them. Microsoft To Do: If you're a heavy user of Microsoft's apps, then Microsoft To Do is a fitting option to sort and organize your tasks. The app does require a Microsoft account to sign up, but this allows you to integrate your flagged Outlook emails as tasks and sync assigned tasks with Planner. If you're a heavy user of Microsoft's apps, then Microsoft To Do is a fitting option to sort and organize your tasks. The app does require a Microsoft account to sign up, but this allows you to integrate your flagged Outlook emails as tasks and sync assigned tasks with Planner. Another robust free to-do list app, has useful features like an overview tab for your schedule and an intuitive, categorized grocery list template. Its calendar view is also more intuitive than TickTick's limited free calendar view. Another robust free to-do list app, has useful features like an overview tab for your schedule and an intuitive, categorized grocery list template. Its calendar view is also more intuitive than TickTick's limited free calendar view. ClickUp: If you're looking for an app that still has a free version, but packs in a bunch of productivity features, then ClickUp is a good choice that includes to-do lists and reminders. In addition to your tasks, you can also add documents and events, track time spent on tasks, and collaborate with team members. Each to-do list app has its strength and weaknesses, but I find that TickTick is the most feature-rich while also addressing the specific pain points I have with reminder apps. Then again, you could always get ChatGPT to send you reminders.
Android Authority
27-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
These are the 6 Google apps I always install on a new Samsung phone
Ryan Haines / Android Authority Apps that come preloaded on your smartphone can be a touchy subject. An app I use every day and I'm glad to see on my phone out of the box could be considered bloatware by someone who doesn't use it. Naturally, there are numerous Samsung apps on a Samsung phone, but you'll find Google apps like Chrome, Gmail, and YouTube pre-installed, too, among a few others. However, plenty of other Google apps are worth using, and these are the ones I download first on my Samsung phone. Before we begin, a brief disclaimer: Apps pre-installed on Samsung phones vary based on model and region, so while none of these came preloaded on my Galaxy S24 Ultra or Galaxy S25 in the UK, one or two might already be on your phone in your country. Google Tasks Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority I use Tick Tick Premium for most of my task needs, but if you don't want to pay for or use something as involved and only need a simple task app, Google Tasks should be the one for you. Samsung's Reminders app is good, but it can only sync to non-Samsung devices via Microsoft To Do, and that synchronization isn't as instant as I'd like. So, Google Tasks is the perfect app for me that works on the web, Android, and iOS and costs nothing. Even though I'm a Tick Tick user, I still keep Google Tasks installed for its Assistant/Gemini and voice command integration, something Tick Tick currently lacks. If I'm driving with Android Auto or have my hands full and need to set a reminder via my Nest speakers, those simple items can be added to my Google Tasks account with 'Hey Google, remind me to …' Google Wallet Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority Galaxy devices come with Samsung Wallet pre-installed. The app is fine, but many banks and loyalty programs don't support it, and I find the overall experience more clunky than Google's alternative, which is more widely supported. In fact, I can't think of any banks, at least in the UK, that don't support Google Wallet. Samsung Wallet also insists on adding a swipe target on the bottom of the home and lock screens, which I always activate by mistake when I'm trying to open the recent apps screen. Turning that off (or uninstalling Samsung Wallet entirely) and switching to Google Wallet makes the overall experience smoother and less frustrating. Google Calendar I enjoy Samsung's Calendar app quite a lot, but I still use Google Calendar for certain things, and you might prefer it, too. For starters, it works well with Google Tasks, showing them in your calendar and providing a shortcut to make reminders without leaving the app. If Google Tasks is your go-to, then Calendar should be too. Outside of Tasks, Calendar integrates better with third-party calendar accounts than Samsung's app, at least in my experience. I use it to integrate my due dates at work and shared calendars with my family group. Another bonus is that Google adds some delightful design flourishes, like the illustrations at the top of events. Gboard Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority If you only take one of these recommendations, please let it be this one. Even I, who usually advocates for Samsung apps being better than most people think, admit that Samsung's keyboard is trash. Whenever I see a post online about an iPhone user switching to a Samsung phone for the first time, one of the biggest complaints I see is that they can't stand the keyboard. Gboard is the best keyboard, and downloading it on your Samsung phone will make the phone easier to use and the entire experience less exasperating. The only exception to that rule used to be foldables, as Samsung's keyboard was the only one that defaulted to a split layout when the phone was open, but now Gboard does this too, and even has full S Pen detection for handwriting input. There's really no reason not to ditch Samsung Keyboard and switch to Gboard. Google Docs Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority Google Drive comes pre-installed on most Samsung phones, but Docs doesn't. I know we don't all handle documents on our phones regularly, but most of us do at some point, and I'd rather have it ready for when I do need it than have to rush to install it when required. The beauty of Google Docs is its ability to handle almost any document format, like those used in Microsoft Office, which other apps can struggle with. Combine that with the simple and quick cloud sync through Google Drive, robust editing features, and plenty of options for sharing and collaborating in documents, and Google Docs is a must-have app for me. Google Keep Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority Google Keep is the best note-taking app and an essential for any smartphone. The key to its success is its simplicity. It's easy to create notes and lists, attach media or links, categorize with colors and categories, and pin the important notes to the top. Plus, it recently got better formatting with headers, bold, italics, and underlining. Another reason Keep is my notes app of choice is how quickly it syncs between devices. Keep is available on Android, iOS, and via the web, and it takes seconds for a note to sync via your Google account. There are other note apps with cloud sync, but I haven't found one as seamless and simple as Google Keep. Among the plethora of Google apps available, these are the ones I use most. Gboard makes any Samsung phone feel a million times more usable, Tasks is a simple way to stay organized, and Wallet is the superior way to pay. Is there a Google app you can't live without? Let me know below.
Android Authority
15-05-2025
- Android Authority
One UI 7 has a scheduling superpower that Google badly needs to copy
Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung Calendar gains natural language processing in One UI 7, improving how users create events. You can type dates and times directly into an event title, which the app recognizes and applies automatically. While cleaner formatting could be improved, the feature outperforms TickTick and Google Calendar in understanding complex phrases. Samsung Calendar was an app everyone wanted to remove and replace with Google's offering back in the TouchWiz days, but it received a glow-up when One UI came along, and now it's one of the best calendar apps out there. One UI 7 brought natural language processing to Samsung's apps, which gives Samsung Calendar a feature we'd love to see Google copy. Samsung's apps have already been supercharged with Gemini support, but Samsung has added some special features on top. In apps like Samsung Calendar and Reminders, you can include the date and time you want the event/reminder to occur in the title. A handy pop-up will then appear that, when tapped, will set the event to what you typed. Apps like Todoist and Tick Tick have been able to do this for a while now, and it's good to see some first-party apps get it too. Impressively, One UI 7's ability to pull dates and times like this is, in some ways, more impressive than what you'll find in Tick Tick. In the example above, we created an event called 'Dinner with Millie a week from Saturday 8 PM.' Tick Tick would've set it for this Saturday at 8, not understanding 'a week from Saturday,' although using 'next Saturday' would work there, while Samsung's app did it correctly. The only downside to Samsung's implementation is that it keeps everything you type in the event/reminder name, while Tick Tick or Todoist cleans things up. In those apps, typing 'get milk tomorrow 7 PM' would create an event called 'get milk,' stripping the date and time info out of the title but still using that information to schedule things properly. Unfortunately, Google Calendar can't process dates and times in this manner. That's a shame, because it's an easier and faster way of creating events, and Google has the know-how to do it, as Gemini can take these commands and make the right events or reminders. Hopefully, something like this will come to Google Calendar soon. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
