WHATSAPP REMINDERS - NEVER FORGET A MOMENT
UX Design, UI Design, UX Research, Wireframing
Product Designer, UX Researcher
Jun 2023 - Jan 2024
Skills
My Role
Duration
Problem
WhatsApp currently lacks a seamless, integrated reminder system
Solution
Develop an integrated WhatsApp reminder feature that allows seamless reminder creation and tracking within the existing communication ecosystem.
Current solutions often require separate apps or platforms, leading to inefficiencies and fragmented experiences. This gap highlights the need for a convenient, user-friendly reminder feature integrated within widely used communication tools like WhatsApp, ensuring accessibility and ease of use.
The feature allows users to set reminders directly through chats using a simple, intuitive interface. Reminders can be easily shared with individuals, fostering collaboration and connectivity. Notifications and tracking updates are integrated into the chat experience, enhancing user productivity without the need for additional tools.
The root of this problem lies in the fragmented user experience caused by the need to switch between multiple platforms or apps for reminders, which disrupts efficiency and convenience. Additionally, the Indian diaspora relies heavily on familiar, widely-used communication tools like WhatsApp, but these tools lack native features to address their specific productivity needs. This gap highlights a mismatch between user expectations and available solutions, compounded by a reluctance to adopt new, unfamiliar technologies.
Create a reminder system for the Indian diaspora that integrates seamlessly into their existing communication habits, eliminating the need for additional learning or reliance on third-party tools?
How Might We...
The absence of a native, user-friendly reminder feature within WhatsApp creates significant communication friction for the Indian diaspora, hampering efficient personal and family coordination through on-device reminders.
About the Problem
Disclaimer: This concept was envisioned prior to the introduction of Meta AI and reflects an independent exploration of integrating reminder functionalities within existing communication platforms.
This interaction showcases the intuitive 'Add Reminder' feature on WhatsApp, where users can long-press a message and quickly select the option to set a reminder.This simple yet powerful action enhances user experience by leveraging familiar mental models and reducing cognitive load, making it easy to stay organized without interrupting the flow of conversation.
Setting Reminder
PERSONAS
USER INTERVIEWS
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
final design & prototype
This list consolidates reminders from all contacts, making it easier for users to manage and stay organized across their conversations.
Settings > Universal Reminder List
Persona: Dr. Deesha Shajil
Age: 27
Occupation: Pediatric Surgeon at Wadia Children’s Hospital
Background:
Resident Surgeon
Leads a high-volume surgical team, handling complex cases (congenital defects, trauma, oncology).
Juggles clinical duties, administrative tasks, research, and mentoring residents
Passionate about patient outcomes but overwhelmed by her workload.
Persona: Praj
Age: 27
Occupation: Student – Studying Masters in HCI @ Rochester institute of Technology
Challenges:
Struggles with keeping track of assignments due to lower cognition
Solution Needs:
A task manager Which helps him keep track of his life and helps him finish
tasks well on time.
(he LOVES downloading all the new task managing apps and playing around with them)
Quote:
“yes i have a lot of to-do list apps but nothing hits the right spot, as a whole”
Background:
Musician, Engineer, Product Designer
Leads a relaxed life
Juggles Studies, Assignments, portfolio prep
Passionate about prioritizing designing accessible and helpful solutions
Challenges:
She is at the top of her game at the hospital but struggles to prioritize herself in between
24/48-hour shifts
Solution Needs:
easier task management with accessible solutions without downloading any fancy new app
Quote:
“remind me to TAKE OUT THE TRASH!”
Meta ai currently lacks the ability to set reminders within WhatsApp. users must rely on external apps or voice assistants for reminder functionality.
Meta AI Unavailability To Set Reminders
Users can tap on a contact's profile to view their respective reminders, making it easy to manage tasks within individual conversations.
Profile > Reminder list
Users can customize the reminder time after setting it, offering flexibility to adjust reminders as needed
Settings > Set Custom Reminder
Quick Add Reminder
✅ Long-press in chat
Drag & drop scheduling
✅ Siri & quick input
List of All Reminders
Integration with Messaging
Offline Mode
✅ In settings
✅ Direct from chat
✅ Fully free
Notes list
❌ No
⚠️ Paid premium features
Organized lists
✅ Apple Messages
± Fully free (comes with the cost of owning an iPhone)
Feature
Whatsapp Reminders
Structured
Apple Reminder
prajyot
See Final Design
Here’s what I discovered from my interviews:
Participants appreciated the idea of integrating a reminder feature directly into WhatsApp, as it would eliminate the need to switch between apps.
Most users highlighted that they often forget tasks discussed in chats, emphasizing the need for a seamless reminder system.
The simplicity of long-pressing a message to set a reminder was praised for its intuitiveness, convenience, and ability to leverage existing mental models.
Users expressed interest in customization options, such as setting due dates, recurring reminders, and notification preferences.
While my initial aim was to create a simple “inbox” for reminders—allowing users to set tasks without specifying a due date—after interviews I realized the importance of offering more flexibility then and there. Providing the option to set reminders without a due date, while also enabling users to customize them later, could strike a balance between simplicity and functionality.
a lightbulb moment albeit the bulb took time to glow.....
REFLECTION
Working on the WhatsApp Reminders feature was an insightful experience, pushing me to balance usability with seamless integration into an existing ecosystem. Through research and testing, I realized how crucial it is to design features that feel intuitive without overwhelming users.
One of the biggest takeaways was understanding the importance of efficiency in setting reminders—users wanted quick interactions without unnecessary friction. This led to the long-press interaction for setting reminders, which felt natural and significantly reduced steps.
Additionally, designing the Universal Reminder List in Settings reinforced my awareness of information hierarchy and accessibility. Users needed an easy way to manage their reminders without searching through conversations. Ensuring clarity in this design helped refine my approach to structuring information effectively.
If I were to iterate further, I would explore:
Personalization options (e.g., recurring reminders or smart suggestions based on chat context).
Enhanced visibility (such as subtle indicators within chat previews).
This project deepened my appreciation for designing frictionless experiences, ensuring that new features blend naturally into user workflows.
Long press
message
My Projects