How to Sync Google and Outlook Calendars

For quite a long time if you set up an appointment on your Google calendar, it would sync up automatically with your Outlook calendar, meaning that same appointment would show in both calendars without you having to manually do it yourself. Unfortunately for those of you who used this feature from Google, you probably already realized that Google pulled the plug on syncing with Outlook Calendar last year, leaving you no choice but to find a new way to get your Outlook and Google calendars to sync up again.

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Just use one: How to Import Calendars

When it comes to using two kinds of programs or services from two different companies, you may run into some problems when it comes to syncing them up. This now applies to the Google and Outlook calendar syncing. The best advice is to just choose one of them and focus on using that specific calendar for all of your needs. Whether it is work related or something from your private life, both Google and Microsoft offer the option to use multiple calendars. Both also allow you to view the calendars separately or in a combined view.

If you decide to just use the Outlook Calendar, then it is simple to export the Google Calendar into your Outlook:

Google calendar settings

When you are in your Google account, click on the little button that looks like a gear, and go to Settings > Calendars > Export Calendars.

This will download a .zip file named youremail@gmail.com.ical.zip. Unzip this file and remember the location of the .ics file.

Now to import the file into Outlook go to File > Open and Export > Import and export, and then you will have to select the Import an iCalendar (.ics) File.

If you choose to use the Google Calendar over the Outlook Calendar, then you need to export the Outlook Calendar:

export calendar outlook dates

In Outlook go to File > Open and Export > Import and Export. Then choose Export to a file > Comma Separated Values then choose Calendar from the list of Outlook elements & click Next. In the following window, under Save exported file as, choose where to save your calendar, and what to name it, then click Next. Click Finish, then select the date range of the calendar you’d like to export and click OK.

Now to import that file into Google Calendar, you will have to click the Import Calendar link next to the Create New Calendar button. Click Choose file then select the .csv file you saved. If you need to, choose which calendar to import it into with the Calendar drop down list, then click Import.

Import calendar google

Can’t Choose? Synchronize Google and Outlook Calendar Apps

You’ve probably realized that the first option wasn’t really a syncing option as much as deciding between the two Calendars, but that can be the easiest way to do it. If you don’t want to, or can’t switch to just one of the calendars then you will have to use them on a smartphone or tablet.  Whether Android or iOS, both have ways to sync up your calendars.

 

On Android

Install the Outlook.com app from the Google Play Store. Android will automatically read the Outlook calendar entries and merges them on to a calendar on the device. This, however, doesn’t actually sync the calendars, it just displays them in the same app. You won’t be able to add items to your Outlook calendar from the Android calendar.

 

On iOS

iOS works similarly – you can display multiple calendars at once, but you can’t add to all of them. Go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Add Account. Add your Outlook.com and Google accounts. A pop up will ask if you want to sync calendars, just accept it and you’re done! Any appointments or events you add to an calendar synced with your Outlook.com account or Google account will appear in the iOS calendar.

 

Inviting Yourself to a Calendar Event

The best way to get an item on both calendars is to invite yourself to an appointment you set into the calendar. In your Google Calendar you just have to invite yourself to the appointment by sending it to the Outlook email, and then in Outlook you just click the Accept button and it will then add the event or appointment to your Outlook Calendar.

If you don’t want to have to go through the trouble of constantly inviting yourself to events or appointments, there are third party programs or add-ins that will sync up your Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar. If you don’t want to spend the money, then the best route to take is to just choose one calendar to use and focus on.

Date: 10. Feb 2016
Author: Joana Simoes
Tags: Calendar Gmail Microsoft Outlook


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Comments

  • J

    This information seems dated and no longer seems to work.

    2022-04-13 17:10:28 | Jeffrey
    • A

      Thank you Jeffrey for drawing my attention to this article! I will update the article!

      2022-05-2 17:42:01 | Aline Gengenbach
  • R

    Any chance you know how to de-couple Outlook from Google calendar on Android? I keep getting multiple G-Cal notifications and events on my Google calendar of items on my work (Outlook) calendar. After testing out the merged calendar, I want to go back to separate calendars for work (Outlook) and life (Google). Thanks!

    2016-12-22 21:38:26 | Ryan
  • O

    I’m surprised there’s no reference to Go Contact Sync Mod in this article… it’s open source and a great tool for syncing android calendar and contacts with outlook. In an android world, this free tool is a gem!

    I’ve been using it for over a year now and love it. It’s bugfree, free, and no adware involved.
    https://sourceforge.net/projects/googlesyncmod/

    p.s.
    I’m not affiliated with this org/app… I am only a happy user sharing my positive experience with this app.

    2016-10-2 17:51:52 | OptiQuon
  • N

    >You won’t be able to add items to your Outlook calendar from the Android calendar.
    To do that, you need to use AkrutoSync. This software can sync Outlook with Android in both directions.

    2016-09-30 23:36:29 | Ngre
  • J

    My recommendation – Sync2, desktop app for all your devices. It allows to synchronize multiple Outlook Calendars, Contacts and Tasks with multiple Google Accounts, set up two-way or one-way synchronization, choose the sync direction and much more.

    2016-07-1 14:21:53 | John Walsh
  • P

    Outlook Google Calendar Sync carries on where Google’s own tool left off. Free and open source. Outlookgooglecalendarsync.codeplex.com

    2016-02-10 23:12:53 | Paul

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