Google Keep Reminders Feature Appears to Be Headed for Removal

Google Keep's reminder functionality appears to be disappearing from the app entirely based on findings from recent APK teardowns. Android Authority discovered that in Google Keep version 5.26.021.01.90, the signature 'bell' icon used to create reminders has vanished from the UI. This follows Google's earlier removal of location-based reminders and represents a significant functional shift for the cross-platform note-taking service.

Technical Evidence of Removal

The APK analysis reveals three concrete changes signaling the feature's deprecation:

1. The reminder creation button has been removed from the main interface
2. Notes with existing reminders now display differently
3. The 'Reminders' section has disappeared from the navigation drawer

While Google hasn't officially confirmed the change, this aligns with the company's ongoing migration of reminder functionality to Google Tasks. For several months, notifications for Keep reminders have been delivered through Tasks rather than Keep's own notification system.

Cross-Platform Implications

This change impacts all Keep platforms:

• Android: Requires v5.26.021.01.90 or newer
• iOS: Likely to follow in subsequent App Store updates
• Web: Web interface expected to sync with mobile changes

The removal creates a fragmented experience where reminder management is split between two apps. Users must now:

1. Create notes in Google Keep
2. Manage reminders in Google Tasks

Migration Paths and Alternatives

For users reliant on Keep's reminders, practical alternatives include:

• Google Tasks Integration: Fully migrate reminders to Tasks
• Third-Party Apps: Services like Todoist or Microsoft To Do offer deeper reminder systems
• Workarounds: Using hashtags (#reminder) as manual markers within Keep notes

This represents the second major reduction in Keep's reminder capabilities after location-based reminders were removed in 2024. The trend suggests Google is streamlining Keep as a pure note-taking solution while consolidating task management under Google Tasks.

Developer Perspective

From an API standpoint, this change likely reflects:

• Simplification of Keep's codebase
• Reduced maintenance overhead for notification systems
• Alignment with Google's strategy of separating core services

However, it removes a key differentiator that made Keep a lightweight all-in-one solution. The change also introduces new cross-platform challenges, as users must now authenticate and sync across two separate services instead of one integrated experience.

Google has not provided migration tools or official guidance for affected users. Those heavily dependent on Keep reminders should evaluate alternative solutions before the feature disappears entirely in future updates.