How to Keep Location-Based Reminders Active After Google Keep Changes
329Google’s Keep app is about to lose a handy feature on Android — the ability to set location-based reminders. Don’t worry, though. Even though Google is removing this option from Keep, there’s a way to keep using it with a different app.
For years, you could ask Google Assistant to remind you when you arrived at a certain place. But as Google shifts focus to other tools, that feature has disappeared. Now, if you try to set a location reminder in Keep, it’s going away too. Google is moving reminders into Google Tasks, and unfortunately, location-based reminders aren’t supported there yet.
This change is expected to happen in the second half of 2025. Once it’s live, you won’t be able to create or get location reminders through Keep. Instead, all reminders will be stored in Tasks and synced to your calendar, but they won’t have the physical location feature anymore. That’s a bummer for anyone relying on these reminders to alert them when they arrive at or leave a place.
What’s Changing with Google Reminders
Google has been tweaking its reminder system for a long time. The latest move is to shift reminder storage from Google Assistant to Google Tasks. This change aims to streamline how Google handles lists, tasks, and reminders. But it comes with a catch: location-based reminders won’t be supported in Tasks for now.
When the switch happens, any reminders you set in Keep will be moved to Tasks. You’ll still be able to create reminders in Keep, but they’ll be stored in Tasks and linked back to Keep notes. The problem? Tasks doesn’t support setting reminders tied to a specific physical location. That means the feature you use to get notified when you reach a store, office, or any other place will no longer work in Keep after the transition.
Google updated its help documents to explain that, once the migration completes, location reminders will be unavailable. This change is expected sometime in the second half of 2025, so it’s a good idea to start thinking about alternatives now.
How to Keep Location Reminders Alive with a New App
Luckily, there’s a workaround. A free, open-source app called Tasks.org can help you set location reminders even after Google removes the feature from Keep. It’s a more customizable version of Google Tasks and works independently of Google’s shifting priorities.
Getting started is simple. Just download Tasks.org on your Android device. When you open the app, it’ll prompt you to enable reminders and notifications — permissions you’ll need for it to work properly. You’ll also want to allow the app to set alarms, which is essential for timely alerts.
Once set up, you’ll see your existing tasks imported from Google Tasks. To create a location reminder, just tap on a task and choose “Add location.” You can pick any place on the map or search for a location. The app will ask for your permission to access your device’s location, both in the foreground and background, but you only need to grant this once.
After that, you can specify whether you want to be notified when you arrive at or leave the location. You can even do both if you want. When you’re finished, tap the save icon, and your reminder will be all set. The app will notify you based on the parameters you chose — arriving or leaving a place.
Why Use Tasks.org for Location Reminders
Tasks.org isn’t just about location reminders. It offers many other features, making it a versatile tool for managing tasks and to-dos. Best of all, it’s free, doesn’t show ads, and respects your privacy. Because it’s open source, anyone can review the code and ensure it’s safe to use.
Using Tasks.org gives you control over your reminders and keeps the location-based feature alive. You can sync it with Google Tasks if you want, or connect it to Microsoft To Do or use it standalone. It’s flexible and doesn’t rely on Google’s ever-changing APIs or features.
This app is a great choice for anyone who relies on location reminders daily. Whether you want to be notified when you arrive at the gym or remember to pick up groceries when passing the store, Tasks.org has you covered. It’s a reliable, customizable way to keep those reminders active, even as Google phases out the feature in Keep.
In the end, even as Google makes changes that can be frustrating, there are solid alternatives. With a little setup, you can continue to get location alerts just like before. It’s all about finding the right tools and keeping your workflow smooth — and Tasks.org fits that bill perfectly.
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