Pack Mule — Support
Pack Mule keeps a packing list for each trip, sorted into sublists, and counts down what's left as you tick things off. When you're home, reset the list and it's ready for next time.
If your question isn't answered here, email packmule@strangleman.com and you'll get a reply.
Getting started
- Open Pack Mule, read the short introduction, and tap Continue. The app starts with no lists.
- Tap + to make one. Start it empty, pick one of the ready-made lists, or — on a device with Apple Intelligence — describe the trip and have a list suggested.
- Open the list, then a sublist, and tap items to tick them off as they go in the bag.
- Optionally add a Pack Mule widget to your Home Screen to keep the count in view.
Making lists
Which ready-made lists are there?
Six: Camping, Beach, Snow, City Break, Business Trip and Road Trip. Each comes with its sublists and items filled in, ready to edit.
Why don't I see the Suggested option?
Suggested lists need Apple Intelligence: iOS 26 or macOS 26 or later, on a device that supports it, with Apple Intelligence turned on and its model downloaded. Where it isn't available, New List offers Preset instead, with the six ready-made lists.
I typed "ski weekend" and got a list straight away.
That's intended. A description that names a common trip gets the matching ready-made list at once; anything else is suggested by Apple Intelligence while the list is open, one sublist at a time.
A suggestion came back empty.
Now and then the on-device model declines a description or can't be reached. The list says so under its sublists. Try again with a plainer description, or add a ready-made sublist and build from there.
Can I add a ready-made sublist to my own list?
Yes. In a list, tap +, then choose a sublist under Start From — Clothes, Toiletries, First Aid & Safety and the rest.
Packing
How do I start again after a trip?
Open the list's ••• menu and choose Reset All Items, or reset a single sublist from its own menu. Everything is unticked and ready to go.
Can I keep a packed list and start a fresh one?
Yes. On the lists screen, press and hold a list and choose Duplicate.
How do I set a quantity or add a note?
Swipe right on an item, or press and hold it, and choose Edit. An item with a quantity reads like "T-shirts × 2".
How do I move an item to another sublist?
Press and hold it and choose Move to Sublist….
Can I hide what's already packed?
Yes. Turn on Hide Packed Items in the ••• menu of a list or sublist. It applies across the app until you turn it off.
iCloud sync
My lists aren't showing on my other device.
Both devices need to be signed in to the same Apple Account, with iCloud turned on for Pack Mule. Pack Mule's Settings shows whether iCloud sync is working. A new device can take a minute or two to receive everything the first time.
I have two copies of "Packing List".
Earlier versions of Pack Mule gave every install a starter list called "Packing List", and with iCloud each device could add its own. Pack Mule now removes the extra copies that are still exactly as they shipped, keeping one. Any copy you have changed is yours, and is kept.
Siri and Shortcuts
What can I say?
"New list in Pack Mule", "Add to my Pack Mule list" and "Plan a trip in Pack Mule". When adding, say several things at once — "sunscreen, towels and a hat" — and Siri reads back what it added. The same actions are in the Shortcuts app.
Where do items added by Siri go?
Into a sublist called Other, unless you choose a sublist in Shortcuts. Anything already on the list isn't added twice.
Siri doesn't recognise Pack Mule.
Check that Siri is allowed for Pack Mule under Settings → Apps → Pack Mule, and include "Pack Mule" in what you say.
Widgets
How do I choose which list a widget shows?
Press and hold the widget, choose Edit Widget, and pick the list. Add a widget for each trip if you like.
My widget is out of date.
Opening Pack Mule updates its widgets straight away. Otherwise iOS decides how often widgets refresh.
Backups, sharing and printing
How do I back up my lists?
In Settings, choose Export All Lists to save them as a file you can keep anywhere. To export a single list, use Export as JSON in its ••• menu.
Will importing replace my lists?
No. Import from a File adds the lists the file holds; nothing already in Pack Mule is changed.
Can I print a list?
Yes. Choose Share or Print PDF from the list's ••• menu. The PDF always prints in light colours, whatever the app's appearance.
Mac
Pack Mule runs on the Mac too, sharing your lists through iCloud. ⌘N makes a new list and ⌘, opens Settings.
Privacy
Pack Mule has no account, no server and no analytics, and your lists stay on your devices and in your own iCloud. The full policy is at apps.strangleman.com/packmule/privacy.
Requirements
iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or later, or a Mac running macOS 15 or later. Suggested lists need a device with Apple Intelligence; everything else works without it.