Google Tasks gets a long-overdue upgrade with new deadline feature

What you need to know

• Google Tasks now lets you set a deadline date, but you still cannot set a specific time.
• The feature is oddly hidden—you can only add a deadline by editing an existing task, not when creating a new one.
• Deadlines also don't appear on the main task list, reducing their visibility.

Google is finally giving Tasks a much-requested upgrade: you can now assign a deadline date to your tasks.

The Android version of the app now supports setting a deadline date when you edit a task. Strangely, the same capability does not show up when creating a task. When you’re in the task details screen, you’ll find a new “Add deadline” field above the usual date/time slot.

However, you can’t set a specific time for your deadline, as Android Police founder Artem Russakovskii notes. So, even with this change, the rollout feels like a half-step toward full task-management capability. Additionally, the deadline date does not appear on the main task list, making it tough to spot which tasks are actually on the clock.

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It's basic compared to competitors

Also, there’s no option to tap in a time or receive built-in nudges tied to that deadline date, as dedicated to-do apps like Todoist or Due do. Even so, this is a significant change for an app that’s mostly been seen as a basic checklist rather than a full task manager.

For users who need to assign a date to a task, the new deadline feature is straightforward: open, edit, select a date, and save. However, for those managing larger projects, the app still lacks precise scheduling, priority settings, subtasks, and an overview of all deadlines. So while it’s a win for simple planning, it still leaves power users wanting more.

Nevertheless, this update shows Google finally listening to users who want more than a basic checklist app. Turning Google Tasks into something that understands deadlines instantly makes it more useful and nudges it closer to a real task manager instead of just a place to jot down lists. It’s a smart move, too — Google is adding features that actually matter without blowing up the app or redesigning everything just for the sake of change.

If Tasks is your go-to app for staying organized, this upgrade is a breath of fresh air. But if you're looking for full-featured task management with hour-based deadlines and detailed tracking, you’ll need to look elsewhere.