Google is shutting down the classic Google Tasks web interface

Martin Brinkmann
Feb 6, 2019
Google
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56

Anyone using the classic Google Tasks web interface? Google informs users who open Google Tasks using a web browser that the classic version is going away.

google tasks deprecation

Google does not mention a specific shutdown date but "soon" suggests that the shutting down will probably happen in the near future and not in years.

Google Tasks itself is not going away, on the other hand. Users who use Tasks may still use it in one of the following ways:

  • Gmail: Gmail users can open the Gmail web interface and select Tasks on the right-hand side (underneath Calendar and Keep) to open the interface.
  • Calendar: The standalone web version of Google Calendar supports tasks as well. Just open Calendar and select Tasks on the right side to open the interface.
  • Mobile devices: The Google Tasks application for Android or iOS remains available. Users may install the app on their devices to continue using Tasks.

Google does not reveal why it is closing down the classic standalone web version of Task. The most likely explanation is a lack of use; most Tasks users probably use it through Gmail or Calendar, and not through the standalone version.

Lack of use could still mean that it is used by quite a few users considering that Google's definition of lack of use is different to the definition that smaller Internet companies may have.

Good news is that Tasks is not going away completely and that Google Tasks users can continue to access their tasks on Gmail or Calendar (or the mobile apps); at least for now.

Google is in a termination spree currently; the company plans to shut down Google+ in April for consumers, the classic Hangouts, the Google URL shortener, and the messaging app Allo.

Windows users who need Task functionality but only locally could look at the long standing Task List Guru application for the operating system.

The coming days and weeks will show how many users are affected by the shutdown.

Now You: Do you use a Tasks service? If so which and why?

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Google is shutting down the classic Google Tasks web interface
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Google is shutting down the classic Google Tasks web interface
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Anyone using the classic Google Tasks web interface? Google informs users who open Google Tasks using a web browser that the classic version is going away.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Drew Loker said on August 4, 2021 at 8:31 pm
    Reply

    I have continued to survive with the app GoTasks. The app has been installed on all my devices until the developer recently decided to quit again on providing the app and it’s removed it from the app store. I inadvertently deleted it off of a device I regularly used.

    GoTasks was the only app that allowed collapsing nested lists that synced perfectly across all of my devices. Unfortunately, it stopped syncing across all my devices as well as it used to so that the order on one device was different than another device. The developer decided to quit work for a variety of reasons… mainly Google would not cooperate with him.

    This is very frustrating to read other peoples comments and perspective and how many of us depended on this. Google killed Picasa and what is still a detrimental blow to photo management in my opinion. I have just spent the last few hours trying to get Google Ad sense help. I don’t understand why a company is so out of touch with its consumer base.

    1. GoTasksApp Fan said on October 25, 2023 at 11:18 pm
      Reply

      I’m in the same boat and searching for it/the developer again 2 years later. I also “lost” it when upgrading a phone. And emailed him in 2021. *sadface*

  2. Anonymous said on November 28, 2019 at 6:40 am
    Reply

    thank you Zee Y

  3. Zee Y said on November 27, 2019 at 9:07 pm
    Reply

    Guys, I’m late here, but I bring you the exact re-construct of the canvas – the chrome extension “Full Screen for Google Tasks”:

    https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/full-screen-for-google-ta/ndbaejgcaecffnhlmdghchfehkflgfkj

    Now you have your canvas back – you’re welcome.

  4. Mathias Gilson said on October 22, 2019 at 5:08 pm
    Reply

    Hey ! They just released Google Tasks Board (https://tasksboard.app) check it out !
    It’s the new Google tasks canvas web client for desktop. It’s using kanban boards just like Trello

    1. Anonymous said on November 11, 2019 at 3:46 pm
      Reply

      Thanks a lot!

  5. Ryan Shaughnessy said on September 17, 2019 at 7:05 pm
    Reply

    ANDROID: GTasks ftw!

    I have used GTasks for about 7 years. It hooks into Google Tasks. That team makes the best Android launcher widgets.

    Incidentally, when they lauched TickTick i checked it out bc I figured it would have awesome customization for launcher widgets in Android. It Did. I’ve been a paid user for about 3 years and they are dominating the market at the point in direct competition to Todoist. I really like the integrated and trackable Pomodora estimation and the 15 background sounds available to use when I start a new Pomo or a Pomo that is linked to a particular task. Web, Linux, Win10, Mac, iOS, and Android Integration They are killing it.

    I love that this excellent incredibly lightweight (<2mb) android app GTasks has morphed into a full dev company!

  6. anon said on July 15, 2019 at 7:45 pm
    Reply

    another anon adding their grievance about google tasks ig going away.
    no multiple indentations, and no way to keep completed tasks from vanishing until i clear them.
    google, you took everything pure and simple about g-tasks, and threw it away along with google+ and the other actual trash.
    i’m not mad, i’m just disappointed.
    fuck it, i’m mad too!

  7. G Doubleya said on June 14, 2019 at 3:29 pm
    Reply

    There is a limited workaround posted here:
    https://webapps.stackexchange.com/a/127083/220813

    You will need to create two shortcuts, but it works.
    First of all go to this link: (you will get a while screen)
    https://tasks.google.com/embed/?origin=https://calendar.google.com&fullWidth=1

    Create two bookmarks from this blank white website.

    Edit the second bookmark and change the URL to be:
    javascript:document.querySelector(‘body’).style.display=null

    (This will remove the white screen and present the task lists)

    Then to access your tasks, click on the first bookmark, then when you get a white screen click on the second bookmark.

    There are other answers on that site, but this is the most simple that even mid-70’s Ivan can hopefully follow.

  8. Ivan Sparrow said on May 6, 2019 at 12:24 pm
    Reply

    I am in my mid-70s and created a “free google classic website” for all the old pupils of the school i went to (Wycombe Tech Alumni) back in the mid 1900’s. It was going along fine till google did what it has done. We dinosaurs want it to continue, but cannot afford to pay for the privilege (we are now dispersed all over the globe) – Who do we turn to for help ??? The comments I have read above are all “gobbledy-goog” to me as they are in a language I do not understand (remember – when I went to school, computers had only just been invented and there was no such thing as a mobile phone), so you “youngsters” – TELL ME what I (we) have to do and where do I (we) go to for HELP ?!?!!! In order for us to continue our little inter-active website – Pleeeeeaaaassseee !!! help us – as no-one else seems to give a “poop”.

  9. Anonymous said on May 5, 2019 at 8:02 am
    Reply

    Agree with all the comments above and Muchas Grazias Fernando:-)

  10. Anonymous said on April 26, 2019 at 4:56 am
    Reply

    FERNANDO YOU ARE A LEGEND

    ALL HAIL FERNANDO, OUR CANVAS SAVIOR

  11. Fernando said on April 25, 2019 at 12:50 pm
    Reply
    1. dan said on November 28, 2019 at 7:05 pm
      Reply

      wow…

    2. Eclaireur said on July 7, 2019 at 1:00 pm
      Reply

      Great! Thanks Fernando. But even bigger thanks to Kevin Micke who developed GTaskD.com !

  12. Alex said on April 12, 2019 at 3:19 pm
    Reply

    Please bring back the full-page option. Otherwise the app is effectively worthless to me.

  13. Anonymous said on April 11, 2019 at 9:39 am
    Reply

    Since the Google Tasks canvas view was finally deprecated, the Better Google Tasks extensions for Chrome and Firefox no longer work either. The button literally just takes you to the GSuite Learning Center for Google Tasks. If this can’t be made to work, I hope someone turns their attention to writing a css style for the Stylish browser extension (see userstyles.org) so at least the Tasks list is not so ridiculously spaced out and narrow. Shouldn’t be too difficult for someone good at css.

  14. Luca said on April 10, 2019 at 8:19 am
    Reply

    I’ve read all comments and IMHO the conclusion is: don’t trust in online and, PROPRIETARY, applications. Now I prefer products that runs offline (WITHOUT an “annual fee” like Ofifce 365) or that are opensource.

    Google has an history of discontinued products. The one that I’m missing the most is… GOOGLE READER! IMHO it was the best RSS reader, entirely usable with keyboard. To substitute it, I’m using the Nextcloud RSS Reader (which is Open Source; so if one website that supports it closes, I can use another or install to my own server).

  15. Anonymous said on April 8, 2019 at 9:28 pm
    Reply

    Hopefully if enough user express their concern Google may bring this feature back. The functionality was simple and met all of my needs. Are you listening Google?

  16. Steve said on April 8, 2019 at 4:06 pm
    Reply

    Tasks is THE most valuable product Google offers for me. It is what I am using to manage my life. Recently I have been unable to find things using google that show up in the first few items using Duck… and or Bing – censorship. And lets be honest a large portion of gmail is unused for other than login credentials. Now this reduction of key functionality of Tasks. It is getting easier to leave everyday. If the goal is for us to leave the google ecosystem including mail, search and ultimately android continue the current tact.

    As retired software professional I know I need to find a smaller for profit company providing these apps for a fee that will not act schizophrenic with their user base

  17. Adriano said on April 8, 2019 at 3:24 am
    Reply

    Because this an audience of hardcore Tasks users who are mourning yet another Google ball-drop, I’m looking for a decent backup app for Tasks for iOS.

    The official Tasks app in iOS is horrible. “GTasks” is the best alternative, but it is completely missing so, so many of the great features of “GoTasks” http://gotasksapp.com/ It’s an app that hasn’t been in the AppStore for several years but that I use on my phone & ipad constantly (it’s my most-used app).

    There’s no comparison between the two (or the feature-less Google Tasks app made by Google). I can’t believe that GoTasks is still working for me in iOS 12, and I know it’ll break someday. I wrote the dev a couple of years ago — he is busy with other projects and has moved on.

    I’m going to write him again and ask if he’ll put the code up somewhere for someone to run with it. I would pay several dollars a month for it (and I hardly subscribe to anything as I strongly dislike the model).

    I periodically look for an alternative. There is none, it seems.

    The rock-solid integration of Tasks into Google Calendar has been core for my workflow for many years now.

    Any thoughts would be welcome.

    1. GoTasksApp fan said on October 25, 2023 at 11:16 pm
      Reply

      I emailed in 2021 and just again today in 2023… never got a response, but periodically look for “another” GoTasksApp – I’d happily take a “just local” version for my iPhone. And would ALSO give distinct money for its replication!!

      If you see this (6 years later)… did you find anything yet? *crosses fingers with tears in her eyes*

  18. AG said on April 5, 2019 at 5:28 am
    Reply

    Google Tasks web access gone !?……I am been pushed back to https://to-do.microsoft.com/ Migration will be a royal pain….. and thus… Microsot keeps climbing back up the ranks.

    1. jelabarre59 said on July 10, 2020 at 3:57 am
      Reply

      I’m probably going to go with MS To-Do myself as well. Eventually I’ll set up my NextCloud system at home, and I’ll be able to use that for all the things I want to sync between devices, just not there yet.

      It’s sad, perhaps ironic, that as a Linux user and worker, that I find myself preferring Microsoft’s options over Google’s. MS at least lets me work with the same data on my Linux desktop & laptop, as well as my Android devices. Google are idiots (in more ways than one).

  19. Anonymous said on April 5, 2019 at 5:22 am
    Reply

    I can’t believe www access to tasks was killed. I imagine many people within Google also used it for work and personal. Crazy decision!

  20. Susy Cook said on April 4, 2019 at 2:56 pm
    Reply

    I am absolutely gutted by the full page removal of tasks. What harm was it doing. Don’t know what I am going to use now and even worse, don’t know how I am going to transfer all the information I have on tasks. So much of it.

  21. Anonymous said on April 4, 2019 at 10:34 am
    Reply

    The Tasks Canvas Page was my Home page.
    It was full screen window to my life.
    Keyhole preview as side window in Calendar in Gmail is frustrating.
    I am lost.

  22. Patrik Blidefalk said on April 4, 2019 at 10:34 am
    Reply

    I totally agree with all of you.
    Even if Google will add features and update, why shutting down something that works and as I understand is popular and well used.

    I miss the print feature and the possibility to get an accurate overview.

    Please Google, listen to our desperate crying for HELP!!

  23. Freddy said on April 3, 2019 at 10:39 am
    Reply

    There is an issue in Google issue tracker, where we can complain:
    https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/113611082

  24. Emily said on February 10, 2019 at 1:39 am
    Reply

    Is anyone finding that google tasks isn’t working/syncing AT ALL now?

  25. Nam said on February 9, 2019 at 11:21 am
    Reply

    I will miss the full screen mode for tasks allowed by url https://mail.google.com/tasks/canvas ;-(.

    1. Hartoyo said on February 25, 2019 at 10:07 am
      Reply

      So Do I

      1. Anonymous said on April 3, 2019 at 8:33 am
        Reply

        Very glad you posted this!

  26. John said on February 9, 2019 at 6:44 am
    Reply

    Google is breaking an immutable law with the old simple “Tasks”….it’s not monetized. What is the definition of Google? The largest amount of cash available to be grabbed in ten lifetimes.. I don’t think they’re there yet.

  27. Barb said on February 8, 2019 at 7:19 pm
    Reply

    Another thing. The Google Tasks iOS app does not work. It freezes or crashes constantly. Totally useless.

  28. Barb said on February 8, 2019 at 7:18 pm
    Reply

    I am really upset. Google Tasks classic was not only useful, it is essential to me. No other task manager works as well, with ease of use and functionality. The Task list off to the side of Google Calendar or Mail just does not cut it. With Classic Tasks, I can see everything by date and easily search through years of data. I too have searched and have not found anything that even remotely works as well. Google, PLEASE do not take this away.

  29. Tom Peters said on February 8, 2019 at 7:15 pm
    Reply

    I Have submitted to google throught the Help / Feedback area. If you have any other ways to contact google, let me know here. If you have any more points to add also let me know there.

    – This is NOT EFFECTIVE if you use more than 5 lists as the scroll bar is horrible.
    – The tasks are not in any order, random. You see so few items per screen (14 items vs 32 in the same height), and the columns are too narrow. – The items are not easily moved or moved in groups.
    – There probably is not convient print option that produces usable sheets.
    – There is no longer anyway to transfer items or groups to differnt lists.
    – There is no longer anyway to past multiple items, like 5 days of the week, and have it create seperate items.
    – Most disappointing, the screens when click add task, and OK or cancel, literally takes visual slow motion for the screens to come up and disappear, many times showing the old/new side by side.
    >> WHY CAN’T THE CANVAS PORTAL just stay without upgrades? to force us to use an INFERIOR upgrade.
    I and our groups are replacing google products unless somehow productivity can be maintained by its users.

    1. Al Eaton said on March 11, 2019 at 6:01 pm
      Reply

      Tom, I agree completely. The new format is like trying to watch a football game through a knothole rather than sitting in the stands. Google forgot one of the primary principles in business. IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT!

    2. Emily said on February 10, 2019 at 1:38 am
      Reply

      Agree on everything – did you hear back?

  30. Tom Peters said on February 7, 2019 at 11:51 pm
    Reply

    I am so angry when I saw the notice on my classic tasks (canvas) page today. Seriously, I searched 3rd party add-ons, google, programs, and nothing compares to that interface. Could copy/paste in multi lines, easily re-arrange fast., Delete lines fast with selecting line and hitting delete. Easily Indent to group tasks AND Re-arrage the groups of sub stasks easily. There was no wasted real-estate and it was condensed so you would easily get an overview. These new puffy spacy apps are the end of productivity. Seriously, putting in the side bar of gmail ??? Thats what almost got me to switch away from google a few years ago until I found the canvas page after hours of research. PLEASE GOOGLE STOP DESTROYING PRODUCTIVITY AND WHAT WORKS. Like the care or listen anymore :(

    1. Emanuele said on April 13, 2019 at 8:10 pm
      Reply

      I think exactly the same thing! I hope Google would replace classic interface with something usable: the Task sidebar in Gmail is not!

    2. Adriano said on March 22, 2019 at 10:07 pm
      Reply

      The Tasks canvas page is my first pinned tab, and has been for many years. I hate that they’re nuking it.

      The Tasks app in iOS is horrible. GTasks is the best alternative, unless and until the developer of GoTasks, an app that isn’t in the appstore any longer, brings it back.

    3. Bill W said on February 19, 2019 at 3:03 am
      Reply

      I totally agree!! You summarized my thoughts perfect. I can’t stand the look of the new todo list apps. I wish there was a way to continue using the classic version.

    4. Anonymous said on February 14, 2019 at 2:19 pm
      Reply

      THIS THIS THIS. Thank you for summarizing my thoughts exactly. I am so so bummed that google tasks is going away. It has changed my life and so greatly affected my productivity and the tasks integrated in gmail has so much less functionality, so much “puffy space”, you can’t have as many sub-tasks, and it doesn’t allow me to see all my tasks in a large screen format. Badly done Google. :(

      1. Mike said on April 6, 2019 at 10:34 pm
        Reply

        I couldn’t agree more. They just don’t grasp that it’s a cloud notepad: screw tasks, thats not what we all use it for – I’ll bet. I use (used) it as an instant-accessible set of cloud-accessible ‘Cribsheets’ — for all aspects of work and leisure.

        What’s most exasperating is they didn’t give us a specific kill date: just killed it this weekend without warning. Thank god I backed it up before it vanished.

        BTW for anyone searching for a replacement, I’ve been through several and so far, CheckVist is the best I’ve found: Free tier is OK, more powerful than GT, not too hard to transfer the data to. https://checkvist.com/auth/pricing

      2. Steve said on April 8, 2019 at 3:53 pm
        Reply

        Mike,

        The main thing I liked about Google task was I use it on my desktop, laptop, tablet and cell phone. Does https://checkvist.com/ support thet.

        To all does google make apis available so a windows devloper can give us an interface ie an APP for the windows environment?

  31. Peterc said on February 7, 2019 at 5:12 pm
    Reply

    “Google does not reveal why it is closing down the classic standalone web version of Task[s].”

    Was it straightforward and functional? Did it load and respond quickly? Was it well suited to a computer as opposed to a smartphone or tablet? Based on what Google has done with the Web interfaces of its other services, if the the answer to any of those questions is yes, *that’s* why.

  32. daveb said on February 6, 2019 at 7:49 pm
    Reply

    The best use for Google in recent years is to see functionality you like, then look for other software, pregerably standalone that does the same thing. Thats the only way you end up with a worflow that you can use long term.

    1. John Fenderson said on February 7, 2019 at 4:57 pm
      Reply

      @daveb: I couldn’t agree more. Applications that are constantly changing out from under me are horrible.

  33. stefann said on February 6, 2019 at 6:27 pm
    Reply

    Martin, i liked that with DRINK BEER – DRINK EVEN MORE BEER ! :)

  34. John Fenderson said on February 6, 2019 at 5:38 pm
    Reply

    I don’t remember ever hearing of Tasks before…

  35. Anonymous said on February 6, 2019 at 5:30 pm
    Reply

    Google, Tasks works as a simple, unglamorous to do app. Don’t kill it, just to replace it with something that looks pretty, but does not add functionality.

    1. Bill Wright said on February 19, 2019 at 2:56 am
      Reply

      Actually, they’re removing functionality with the new update for it. You can’t use as many nested lists and so far you can’t use it in full screen mode. I’m disappointed in the update. I wish they would leave the classic version alive.

      1. Anonymous said on March 30, 2019 at 12:36 pm
        Reply

        Agreed.

  36. Luca said on February 6, 2019 at 8:12 am
    Reply

    I think that Task will be replaced by Keep

    1. Anonymous said on August 19, 2020 at 9:59 pm
      Reply

      That would make zero sense. Keep is a note taking tool, and not a task management system like Tasks was/is. And they should remain separate as such.

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