'Clear' To-Do App Gets Total Design Overhaul and New Feature Set

Clear is a to-do list app that was first launched in 2012, and while it has received few updates since that time, it has remained popular with users due to its easy-to-use design and simple layout.


Impending, the team behind Clear, has been working on a major revamp for the last several months, and Clear 2 is launching today. Clear 2 has the same general design and function as the original app, but there are new gestures for more fluid list making, new color themes, an edge-to-edge design, updated fonts, quote packs, sound themes, app icon options, and more.

Creating and managing lists in Clear has not changed. Tap anywhere to add an item to a list, and swipe to either check it off or delete it. A tap at the bottom of the app goes to a list overview, and a second bottom tap leads to personalization options, rewards, the shop, and an archive of completed items.

clear app night theme
Users can have an unlimited number of lists and items on the list, and the simple design of the app puts the focus on what's upcoming. Items on the list can be dragged and dropped between lists, and a swipe and hold to the left allows a time and a date to be added. Screenshotting a list brings up a share sheet so you can share a text or image version of the contents with a friend.

clear scene beach
As with the original version of Clear, using the app unlocks collectibles like unique colors for lists, and just using the app will provide users with new themes and fonts to choose from. There are also haptics and sounds when checking items off, adding new items to the list, and using other app features.

Clear is no longer a paid app and it is free to use, and Impending has a clever monetization strategy. There is an entirely optional store with themes, fonts, sound packs, and app icons that change on a daily basis. The cosmetic options available for purchase do not affect the core functionality of the app, but do offer unique customization options.

clear scene ipod
Clear 2 can be downloaded from the App Store for free, and those who have the existing version of Clear will get the update without having to redownload the app. [Direct Link]

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
General Apps Messages Redux

Singapore Orders Changes to iMessage by December

Tuesday November 25, 2025 6:39 am PST by
Singapore has ordered Apple to block or filter messages on iMessage that impersonate government agencies, requiring the company to implement new anti-spoofing protections by December as part of efforts to curb rising online scams, the Straits Times reports. Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it had issued an Implementation Directive to Apple under the Online Criminal Harms...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red Green

The 30+ Best Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 6:46 am PST by
Black Friday is finally here, and as always this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...

Top Rated Comments

GermanSuplex Avatar
25 months ago
Wow, an app that focuses on core features, offers it for free and tries to find a way to recoup funds in a more imaginative fashion that simply adding a subscription free for the sake of it, or stunting features that could be offered with a one-time purchase.

Sounds like a solid app.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
25 months ago
Clear brings back many fond memories, a pinnacle of minimalist design.

I stopped using it because it did not integrate with Apple's Reminders data, which still appears to be the case.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CrazedVW Avatar
25 months ago
I've used Clear since its introduction. I've tried other to-do apps over the years but I've always come back to it because of its simple, minimalist interface that just works for making lists of stuff I need to do. I'm glad it's finally been updated and glad the developer didn't add a bunch of unnecessary crap to it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonblatho Avatar
25 months ago

Why are people complaning about the app size? Is their internet data capped or something?
Not that it's any of your business, but maybe so. Maybe they're on a slow connection. Or maybe they didn't want to blow perfectly good money on Apple's absurd upcharges for device storage upgrades.

In any case, 400+ MB for a checklist app is obscene. As an iOS developer myself, my hunch is all of the IAP personalization options (most notably including fonts and sound packs) are included in the app download and you merely unlock access to what's already stored on your device. If true, that's hideously poor optimization by the developers. That's been a solved problem for years and years — download the extras individually upon purchase. So, this app is likely on the order of 10× the size it could/should be, otherwise I am forced to assume that they've loaded the app with a bunch of random analytics/tracking SDKs.

Granted, not every dev cares about not wearing out their welcome on folks' devices.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
netsped Avatar
25 months ago
How can a simple list/task app be over 400 MB in size?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
linkmaster02 Avatar
25 months ago
Wow, a blast from the past! Clear’s simplicity was so unique back in the day.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)