Create a backup file

You can use Time Machine to back up your Reminders and other important data. You can also use the following steps to create a separate, manual backup of your Reminders.

1. In Reminders, choose File > Export.
2. Name the backup file and choose where you want to save it (such as your desktop or Documents folder), then click Export. This makes an .ICS file.

Restore your reminders from a backup file

Use these steps to restore your Reminders from a manual backup you created previously. 

Important: When you import a backup file, any changes you made in Reminders since the backup was made will be lost.

1. In Reminders, choose File > Import.
2. Locate your Reminders backup file (.ICS), then click Import.
    

If you use Time Machine and you manually saved a backup copy of your Reminders somewhere on your computer, but later deleted the file, you can use Time Machine to recover it.

Important: When you import a backup file, any changes you made in Reminders since the backup was made will be lost.

1. Open the location where you placed your Reminders file.
   For example, if the file was located in your Documents folder, open the Documents folder. If the file was located on your desktop, you don’t need to open anything.
2. Connect your Time Machine volume if it isn't, then enter Time Machine.
3. Using the arrows and the timeline along the right edge of your screen, browse through the backups until you find the Reminders backup file.
4. Select the backed up file, and then click Restore. The restored file is returned to its original location.
5. In Reminders, choose File > Import.
6. Locate the restored Reminder file, and then click Import.