Looking for a powerful, flexible task management app that works across all your devices?
You’re in the right place. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through TickTick—a cross-platform app that combines tasks, calendar, habit tracking, Pomodoro timer, and more.
Whether you’re just getting started or want to unlock advanced features, this tutorial has you covered.
📥 Getting Started With TickTick
To begin:
-
Visit ticktick.com.
-
Download the app for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, or use the web version.
-
Create an account and open the app.
🎨 Tip: You can customize the app’s appearance with dark mode, custom themes, and layouts under Settings > Appearance.
📋 Understanding TickTick’s Layout
The main views you’ll use are:
-
Today View: Shows tasks due today.
-
Inbox: Tasks without due dates or lists.
-
Sidebar: Where you’ll access your Lists, Filters, Tags, Calendar, and more.
➕ Creating & Managing Tasks
Adding tasks is simple:
-
Press Command + N (Mac) or Ctrl + N (Windows).
-
Enter your task and press Enter.
You can:
-
Set due dates
-
Assign priorities (High, Medium, Low, None)
-
Convert to all-day tasks
-
Move tasks into custom lists
-
Add subtasks or checklists for grouped actions (like a shopping list)
🗂 Organizing With Lists
TickTick lets you create unlimited lists (e.g., Home, Work, Church).
To create a list:
-
Click the + next to Lists.
-
Name your list.
-
Choose a color and layout:
-
List
-
Kanban (Premium only)
-
Timeline (Premium only)
-
-
Optionally group lists into folders.
🧠 Using Filters (aka Smart Lists)
Filters let you create custom task views. Example:
“Show all high-priority tasks from the Home list due this week.”
Create one by:
-
Clicking the + next to Filters.
-
Choose Normal or Advanced (Normal is great for most users).
-
Define your criteria: List, Priority, Date, Keywords.
Filters are powerful and ideal for organizing projects or tracking deadlines.
🏷 Tagging Tasks for Quick Access
Tags are like labels to help you categorize across lists.
To use tags:
-
Create them under the Tags section.
-
Add them to tasks by typing #tagname or using the sidebar.
Example: #YouTube for all content-related tasks.
🔁 Setting Recurring Tasks
Need something to repeat?
Click into a task > click Repeat
Choose options like:
-
Daily
-
Weekly
-
Custom intervals (e.g., every 3rd Tuesday)
📅 Calendar Integration
To sync calendars:
-
Go to Calendar > Add.
-
Choose from:
-
Local (Apple/Outlook)
-
Google Calendar
-
URL feed
-
Once linked, events from your calendar will show in TickTick’s Today view and Calendar view.
🧘 Habit Tracking in TickTick
TickTick includes a simple but powerful habit tracker.
To add a habit:
-
Click the + in the Habit Tracker view.
-
Choose:
-
Goal (e.g., Read 15 pages/day)
-
Frequency (Daily, Weekly, etc.)
-
Reminder (optional)
-
-
Check off habits daily to track progress.
✨ Pro Tip: In Settings > Habit Tracker, uncheck “Show in Today View” to avoid cluttering your task list.
⏱ Using the Pomodoro Timer
TickTick has a built-in Pomodoro timer to help you focus.
To use:
-
Enable it under Settings > Features.
-
Click the clock icon.
-
Set your timer (e.g., 25 minutes) and get focused!
🔍 Other Cool Features
-
Countdowns: Track events like vacations or deadlines (e.g., “Beach Trip – 31 Days Left”).
-
Sticky Notes (Premium): Pin important notes to your dashboard.
-
Hotkeys: Customize shortcuts to quickly add tasks globally—even from other apps.
-
Syncing: Tasks and habits sync instantly across all devices (desktop + mobile).
📱 TickTick on Mobile
The mobile app has nearly all the features of the desktop version:
-
Quick task input
-
Habit tracking
-
Calendar view
-
Pomodoro timer
-
Full sync with your account
Great for managing tasks on-the-go!
🆚 Free vs. Premium
Free version includes:
-
Unlimited tasks
-
Lists, tags, filters
-
Habit tracker
-
Pomodoro timer
-
Calendar sync (read-only)
Premium adds:
-
Kanban and timeline views
-
Smart Lists (advanced filters)
-
Full calendar integration
-
Custom themes & templates
-
Voice input
-
Progress tracking and analytics
💡 Verdict: The free version is powerful enough for most users, but Premium is well worth it if you want to fully optimize your workflow.
🧩 App Integrations
TickTick integrates with:
-
Google Calendar
-
Outlook
-
Siri/Voice Assistants
-
Notion
-
Zapier & more
Check Settings > Integrations for more details.
🏁 Final Thoughts
TickTick is more than just a to-do app.
It’s a full-featured productivity suite that helps you:
-
Stay focused
-
Build habits
-
Track deadlines
-
Organize projects
-
And manage your day—across all devices
Whether you’re a student, content creator, entrepreneur, or just someone trying to get things done, TickTick is worth a serious look.
