Sync iCloud with Google or Outlook

Check where your calendar is stored

Apple Calendar can display calendars from several providers. This connection is for calendars stored in iCloud. If your iPhone shows a Google or Microsoft calendar, connect that provider instead. Calendars stored only on your device don't sync through iCloud.

Enable iCloud Calendar on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple Account. You need permission to edit each calendar you select. Owned calendars and private shares with editing permission are supported.

iCloud is included in existing Sync My Cal plans. Each selected calendar counts toward your plan's limit, just like a Google or Outlook calendar.

Connect your Apple Account

1. Open Connect iCloud. You can also find it during account setup, on the dashboard, or under Calendars.
2. Open Apple Account settings (new tab). Under Sign-In and Security → App-Specific Passwords, generate one named Sync My Cal.
3. Return to Sync My Cal. Enter that Apple Account's email and paste the app-specific password. Don't use your main Apple Account password.
4. Select Connect and choose calendars. Choose the calendars you want to use, then save.

Already have an app-specific password for Sync My Cal? Use the shortcut on the connection page to go straight to the form. Connecting an account and selecting calendars does not create a sync rule.

Sync My Cal encrypts the saved app-specific password. See how calendar access is protected and Apple's password instructions.

Create a sync and check the first copy

1. Connect a second calendar. It can be another iCloud calendar or one from Google or Microsoft.
2. On Calendars, choose Create sync for your source calendar. Pick a destination and direction. A one-way rule copies from the source to the destination; two-way rules copy originals in both directions.
3. Choose private busy blocks to share availability only, or full copies to include event details. Preview the proposed changes before applying the sync.
4. Create a harmless test event on the source calendar. After the sync runs, check its copy on the destination and review the activity log. Edit the original, then check that the copy updates.

Edit original events when you want changes to reach the other calendar. Editing a managed copy doesn't change its original. Copies do not invite attendees, and they are excluded as sources to prevent loops.

Allow for the scheduled check

iCloud is checked every 15 minutes. A large first sync can take several checks; delivery is not instant. Sync runs on our servers, so your browser and computer can be closed.

Use iCloud calendars with up to 2,000 stored events or recurring series each, including older entries. Individual occurrences within a series don't each count toward that inventory limit. Very large series and event files have additional safety limits. If a read fails or reaches a limit, existing copies stay in place.

Read-only shares, subscription calendars, original-event moves, booking invitations through iCloud, and other CalDAV servers are not supported. See the Help Center for the current limits.

If you can't connect or find a calendar

• Password rejected: use the primary email shown on the Apple Account that generated the password. Check that you pasted an app-specific password, including its hyphens.
• Calendar missing: confirm it appears in iCloud and that you can edit it. A Google calendar displayed in the Apple Calendar app still needs a Google connection.
• Connection stopped: changing your main Apple Account password revokes its app-specific passwords. Generate a replacement and reconnect the same email; your saved rules remain.
• Shared calendar stopped syncing: ask its owner to restore editing permission. Loss of access does not mean the original events were deleted.

To stop syncing, disconnect the account in Calendars. To revoke the app-specific password at Apple too, remove only the password named Sync My Cal in Apple Account settings. Never send passwords or private meeting contents to support.