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iPad and iPhone users often use the default Calendar app to keep track of their events and schedules. However, it can be challenging to maintain multiple calendars as it requires syncing several devices if you want to see updates on every platform.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have Google Calendar accessible on your iPhone with just a few simple clicks? You might want to use the Google calendar because you use Android phone, or you may just prefer it’s simpler to use. Whatever the reason, we have you covered. This article will provide you a step-by-step guide on how to add your Google Calendar to iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Add Your Google Calendar to iPhone
Google Calendar is one of the widely-used online calendar services that allow you to keep track of your daily tasks and upcoming events. It is a convenient platform that allows you to schedule your work, meetings, and personal events and access them from any device. However, most iPhone users are not aware that they can access their Google calendars on their devices. And there are multiple reasons to add your Google Calendar to iPhone, including:
1. The ability to integrate events from multiple Google calendars into one calendar on your iPhone
2. No need to worry about syncing your calendars across different devices
3. You can view all your upcoming events in one place
4. You can get alerts and reminders for important events
5. Very easy to set up
Method 1: Add Google Calendar Through iPhone Settings
Google provides a simple process to add your Google account onto your iOS device. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down, find, and select Passwords & Accounts.
3. Tap Add Account at the bottom of the screen.
4. Select Google from the list of options.
5. Enter your Google account email and tap Next.
6. Enter the password for your account and hit Next.
7. Follow the instructions to verify your account.
8. Finally, select the switches next to Calendars.
Pros:
– Integrate multiple Google calendars into one app
– Sync calendar updates and changes automatically
Cons:
– May experience problems in case of a Google server downtime
Method 2: Add Google Calendar Via Google Calendar App
Google Calendar has its app for iOS users which you can download from the App Store. Here are the steps you should follow to add the calendar through the app:
1. Download the Google Calendar app on your iOS device.
2. Sign in to the app using your Google account.
3. Select the three horizontal lines at the top left of the screen.
4. Choose the “Settings” option.
5. Once in the Settings menu, select the ‘Add Calendar’ option.
6. A new screen will pop up, select “From URL”.
7. Type in the iCal link with a .ics extension for the calendar data ( The extension, .ics, is essential because it tells iOS that what follows is the iCalendar format).
8. Click on “Add Calendar.”
9. Your Google calendar will show up on the app in a few seconds.
Pros:
– Access to additional features, like custom color coding events
– Personalized reminders
Cons:
– Must be downloaded through the app store
– Will take up additional storage space
Method 3: Add Google Calendar Using iCloud
Another way to access your Google calendar on your iPhone is via iCloud. Here are the steps to add your Google Calendar to iCloud:
1. Visit the Google Calendar website and sign in to your account.
2. On the calendar, locate the Share icon next to the calendar you want to sync to your iPhone and click it.
3. Select the Access Permission option and make it Public.
4. Click the “Calendar Details” option present under the calendar along the left side of the screen.
5. Look for the area directly below Calendar Address and look for HTML and iCal. Click the iCal EXPORT (located below ‘Private address’ and above ‘Calendar Address’).
6. A pop-up window will appear. Click copy to copy the iCal URL to your clipboard.
7. Open your iPhone Settings app, then select your iCloud account by clicking on your name.
8. Tap the iCloud bar with the toggle switch to activate iCloud.
9. Turn on the switch for Calendars.
10. Click Add an account and paste the link in the required space.
Pros:
– Adding Google Calendar to iCloud integrates the calendar into Apple’s ecosystem, which should enable iOS reminders and other Apple apps.
Cons:
– iCloud sometimes experiences syncing issues with non-Apple apps.
– Must have iCloud set up and activated on the device.
What to Do If You Can’t Add Your Google Calendar to iPhone
You will encounter several problems while trying to add your Google Calendar to your iPhone. Here are some of the most common issues and how to fix them:
– If the settings on your iPhone do not show up the Calendars option, go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Gmail > switch on ‘Calendars’.
– The ‘not syncing’ message appears on your Google Calendar screen if there are syncing problems. Try deleting and re-adding the account or restart the iPhone.
– The Google calendar may not appear on your default iPhone calendar app after adding. In this case, try using a third-party calendar app instead.
– "Calendar server couldn’t be contacted" error or if the calendar shows up as a blank screen. You will need to clear your cache data in the Safari browser or try the above-mentioned methods again.
Bonus Tip
Add Google Calendar to an existing iPhone calendar app, choose the ‘Other’ calendar to add a Google calendar in the settings.
5 FAQs
Q: Will my Google Calendar events show up on my iPhone lock screen?
A: Yes, it is possible to enable lock screen notification for Google Calendar events on the iPhone.
Q: How do I distinguish between events on my iPhone calendar and Google calendar?
A: You can differentiate them based on the colour coding if you have set up different colours for the events from both calendars.
Q: Can I edit Google Calendar events on my iPhone?
A: Yes, you can edit events in your Google Calendar on your iPhone.
Q: Will I need to pay for any of these methods to add a Google Calendar to my iPhone?
A: No, Adding Google Calendar to iPhone is free.
Q: Can I add multiple Google calendars to my iPhone?
A: Yes, you can add multiple Google calendars to your iPhone.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, adding Google Calendar to your iPhone is simple, and there are various ways to do it. You can choose the method that best fits your needs, and it takes only a few steps. With Google Calendar, you can manage your events more effectively and never miss an appointment. Don’t let the inconvenience of manually syncing your calendars across different devices stop you. Try adding your Google Calendar to your iPhone today.