Reminders flag is dimmed

I'm trying to make friends with my Reminders app on my iPhone (26.6.2). I schedule a reminder, and click on it, and the flag is dimmed. I *thought* that flag was to allow notifications. Yes? If so, why can't I select it? In Settings/Notifications/Reminders everything is enabled. If that's not true, what is that flag for???

Posted on Sep 18, 2026 12:21 PM

1 reply

WheelieNick

Level 9 (74,110 points)

Sep 18, 2026 12:41 PM in response to Dannymac22

The flag icon in Apple Reminders does not control notifications. Instead, it is used to bookmark or highlight important tasks, acting like a "star" or "high priority" marker. When you flag a reminder, it automatically appears in a dedicated, built-in "Flagged" smart list so you can easily find it later.

The flag icon appears dimmed or grayed out simply because the reminder is currently unflagged. It is an interactive button waiting for you to tap it.

Tap the dimmed flag, and it will light up orange (or your list's custom color), meaning the item is now flagged.
Tap it again, and it will return to its dimmed, unflagged state.