Features I Want: Reminders to reply to texts

TLDR: I consistently forget to reply to texts so I want to be reminded to reply later in the day. If iOS text application included the option to create a reminder in the Reminders app, I will improve my text responsiveness.

What is the feature?

I want Apple to introduce a “Remind Me” menu option for a text in the iOS Messages application. Selecting “Remind Me” will create a reminder in the iOS reminder app so I can be reminded to reply to the text.

Why do I want it?

My problem is that I am always forgetting to reply to texts. Typically the scenario is either that I get a text when I don’t have the information I need to reply, or I get a text when I don’t want to be distracted, for example when I am on a client or family call, or I just needing to be heads down to get things done. My curiosity gets the best of me however so I at least want to have a quick glance to see if I need to reply right now.

Once a text is read there is no way to mark it as unread and the visual cue is no longer displayed so I either forget to reply or only remember to replay well after I receive it. I also have some friends who give me a fair amount of shit for this so denying them that would be a solid bonus.

Problem priority level (Level of frustration)?

LOW – I can live with this problem, but solving this would definitely improve my day.

What are my current workarounds?

1. Prioritize remembering to reply to texts – yes, the logical solution, so moving on….
2. Manually set a reminder – the time required to manually set a reminder is enough to break my thought and distract me, and if done for multiple texts the distractions add up.

How can this be solved?

My Minimum Requirements:

1. A way for me to be reminded to reply to a text
2. The solution must not require more than 1-3 seconds of activity to avoid distraction

Solution Options:

1. Add a menu option to mark a text as unread – a good option, keeping the visual cue will help me remember to reply to texts
2. Add a menu option to a text to set a reminder – another good option. I use the reminder app so this is consistent with how I use my phone.
3. Adding quick reply default texts, e.g. “I’m not free now, I’ll text you later” – similar to text replies when some one calls. This provides a quick response, however unless it includes the feature to mark the test as unread, or set a reminder, my problem is not fully solved.

So what’s the solution?

#2 “Add a menu option to a text to set a reminder”

I think adding the menu option to the text to set a reminder offers the best solution because:

1. It ensures I will get a prompt to reply to the text
2. It will take only 1-2 seconds to do
3. It uses an app i already use (iOS reminder app)
4. It allows customization of the reminder to include specific notes if needed for when I actually reply

The flow would be as follows:

1. Text is received
2. Text is read by user (me)
3. User selects “remind me” from the text menu
4. A reminder is auto created
5. A reminder icon is added to the text to indicate that there is a reminder for that contact. This is visual confirmation that the reminder was created, and tapping the icon will direct the user to the reminder app to see the reminder to either make edits or mark it as done.

P.S. The feature to add default reply text would be great too, and it would be a great complement to the reminder menu option.

A demo

This video takes you through what I think the design and flow would be for adding a text reminder. I made the prototype using Figma.

Update…

I asked some friends to read the post, watch the demo, and send over their questions or comments. Almost all said they had the same problem and found it frustrating. About half said they just want to mark the text as unread. So below are screenshots and a demo of what I think the design and flow would be for marking a text as unread.

Comments?

What do you think? Please post any critiques and comments – thanks!