In the top left corner of your screen, click Calendar Preferences. Click the Accounts tab. On the left side of the Accounts tab, click Add. Select Google Continue. To add your Google account information, follow the steps on the screen. On the Accounts tab, use 'Refresh Calendars' to choose how often you want Apple Calendar and Google Calendar to sync.
With the arrival of Windows 10, we’ve been greeted with a new slew of functionality-based programs and applications. One of these additions is the revamped Calendar app, which isn’t just more functional than its predecessor, it’s actually (dare I say), downright pleasurable to use. But what if you want your classic Google Calendar synced up with Microsoft’s internal app ecosystem?
Thanks to the integration of desktop notifications and global compatibility with the rest of Windows 10 services, the process of getting your Google Calendar synced and configured on your Windows login is both simple and highly customizable at the same time.
Sync Your Account
- Google today announced the release of its Calendar app for iPad, which was previously only available for iPhone, Android smartphones and tablets and on the web. The best 4K & 5K displays for Mac.
- See Google Calendar events on Apple calendars Note: Make sure you have the latest version of Apple Calendar and the latest Apple operating system on your computer. Learn how to find your Apple computer's operating system or update your computer's operating system.
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To start off, you’re going to need to get your Google account information linked up in the Windows 10 calendar app.
To do this, navigate to the Start Menu, and select the Calendar app in the top-right corner.
Once the Calendar is up, to add a Google account you’ll need to find the Settings icon, located in the bottom left-hand corner of the app.
Once you’re in the settings menu, click on “Accounts”, and then choose the option to “Add account”.
Update: Microsoft has redesigned this app a bit, but the instructions still work almost the same. Click “Manage Accounts” instead of “Accounts” here.
From here, you’ll be greeted with a prompt that has several different choices. You can either add an Outlook.com account, link your Office 365 Exchange, Google account, or iCloud. For the purpose of this tutorial, choose the “Google” option.
Once you select this, the standard Google login portal will take over.
If your Google account is set to a regular log in, it will immediately link you up and you’ll be taken to the main Calendar splash screen. However if you have two-step verification activated on the account in order to protect from unauthorized users who may try to access it without your permission, this is where you’ll be asked to enter the code given to you either through a text or a call from the company.
The last screen you’ll see before the sync is complete is the Google permissions runthrough, which will list all of the different apps and services that the Calendar will need to have access to if you want to use the account from your Windows 10 desktop.
Once these are approved, you should be ready to get your Windows 10 Calendar customized to your specific requirements.
Configure Your Calendar
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After the Calendar is up and running, you’ll notice there are a number of settings that you can change around which will vary depending on the service you linked (i.e – Outlook is different from Google, which itself is different from what’s available in POP3).
To get into your settings, click the small clockwork icon located in the bottom left-hand corner of the Calendar app one more time.
From here, enter Calendar Settings, where you’ll find the following options have been opened up since the Google account was synced.
You can change things around such as which day the Calendar sets as the first day of the week, as well as specifying exactly which hours of the day you work and when you’re off so the Calendar doesn’t ping you with unnecessary or unwanted notifications.
Modify Sync Settings
Lastly, if you want to alter how often your Calendar communicates with Google’s servers for new appointments or notification updates, you can access these menus by first going into settings, and then selecting the option for “Accounts”.
Once you’ve opened the Gmail account, click on the “Change mailbox sync settings” option, and you’ll be taken to the menu below.
It’s here you’ll have the opportunity to change how often the Calendar pings its host account for updates (every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc), as well as whether or not full descriptions or messages are downloaded each time it finds something new.
Furthermore, you can also change where the Calendar app connects to in order to pull down information from Google, although this isn’t recommended unless you have a special configuration lined up on the server side of things.
Keep in mind, once you add your Google account to the Calendar, Windows will automatically sync your attached email up as well. If you prefer to keep these two ecosystems separated, this setting can be turned off in one of two ways.
To access the first, you need to enter your Account settings and switch the sync for email to the “Off” position. The same can be done for Contacts and the Calendar itself, though if you switch that option, none of the data you’ve just set up will be accessible by the app to start with.
The second method of de-linking your email and calendar is to go into the Calendar tab in Settings, and switch it off manually after the syncing process is complete using the setting highlighted below:
Leaving behind your old schedule is hard, but thanks to the dozens of changes made to the Calendar in Windows 10, it’s become a welcome addition to Microsoft’s suite of internal apps.
Google Calendar App For Mac Review
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The built-in Calendar app on Mac is ... fine. Sometimes though, you need a few different features. That's where third-party calendars can be very useful. Check out my favorite calendar apps for the Mac and let us know which one suits you best.
Best overall: Fantastical 2
Fantastical 2 is a workhorse of a calendar app that can connect to your iCloud, Exchange, Google, Yahoo, fruux, and CalDAV accounts. It then imports all of your daily event information into one unified calendar, which can be displayed as a full month along with daily, weekly, or yearly options. You can also display a daily event list on the left side with detailed information on everything you've got going on today. Better still, Fantastical allows for custom calendar sets with specific accounts tagged in them, time zone support, and more.
All these features mean it comes with a $50 price tag, but the extra money's worth it.
Bottom line: Fantastical 2 is a robust, full-featured calendar with dozens of useful features for any and all productivity.
One more thing: It comes with a mini-calendar that sits in your Menu bar for quick access.
Why Fantastical 2 is the best
Does everything a calendar app should do!
Fantastical 2 works exactly the way a calendar app should work on your desktop: It's got a beautiful interface with customizable options for viewing daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly events. You can even set up customized calendar sets that only show certain events. Those different sets can be toggled to activate at different locations, too: When you get to work and open your laptop, you'll only see your work calendar, but when you take it home, you will only see your personal one.
When you select an event, you'll get the details, including a map for events with locations. You can also toggle between light or dark mode any time you like.
Fantastical's natural language event creation is where it shines. All you have to do is type out your phrasing as if you were talking, and Fantastical will automatically set dates, times, locations, and more for you. 'Have dinner at Morton's with mom tomorrow at 7' is transformed into an event, complete with location mapping.
Fantastical 2 works with a number of different calendar services, including iCloud, Google, Yahoo, and more. It also syncs with your Mac's built-in Reminders app so you can keep track of daily tasks while making sure you aren't late to any appointments.
Best Cal organizer: BusyCal 3
BusyCal 3 has a great setup feature: It automatically syncs up with the accounts you have stored in the Mail app on Mac. Any calendars you use with those email accounts will be updated in the BusyCal calendar. So, if you use Yahoo, iCloud, and Gmail, you'll be able to connect them all just by entering the account password when you open the app for the first time.
My favorite feature of BusyCal is the Smart Filter, which makes it possible for you to create rules for what events are shown. For example, you could set a filter that will only show you birthdays or only events that repeat. You can create multiple filters and then switch between them. It is ideal for keeping your calendar events organized.
Bottom line: If you have a lot of different types of events, or multiple calendars, BusyCal 3 will help you filter out what you don't need to look at right now so you can stay focused on what is important.
One more thing: There is a mini calendar that sits in your Menu bar so you can see a quick glance of the month ahead and current day's events without having to open the full app.
Best Cal companion: Calendar 2
Calendar 2 is a Menu bar widget. It stores all of your calendar information on the Menu bar so you can quickly access it. All you have to do is connect your Mac's built-in calendar and you're ready to go. Then, when you want to check your schedule, just click on the icon. You'll see a monthly view with dots next to dates that have events, plus a sidebar with a list of events taking place. If you want to see more details of an event, click on it to open your Mac Calendar app.
Best Google Calendar Mac App
Bottom line: If you are happy with the built-in Calendar app on your Mac, but just want a different way to see what's on your schedule, check out Calendar 2.
One more thing: There is a premium upgrade that includes a lot more features, like the ability to connect your Google calendar and get cool looking backgrounds.
Best for productivity: Informant for macOS
Informant for the desktop is more than just a calendar app. It's a task manager and note taker, all rolled into a clear and concise calendar. You can organize your calendar to see your to-do list on the same screen as your schedule and tasks are combined with daily events.
You can keep your to-do list right on top of the screen with upcoming and completed tasks clearly identifiable. You can create tasks using either GTD, Franklin Covey, or Simple mode, making your lists work for you.
Filters allow you to hide events from specific calendars. You can have multiple filters saved in your favorites and switch between them at any time. It makes it easy to keep your work and home life separate.
Bottom line: If having your to-do list and calendar grouped together are important and your daily schedule is the top priority, Informant for macOS is for you.
One more thing: It features a tabbed interface so you can work in multiple task windows without making a mess on your screen.
Conclusion: Fantastical 2 is the best
When it comes to desktop support, Fantastical 2 wins the day. It's a straightforward app with a beautiful interface and plenty of customizable features. The mini calendar, which sits in your Menu bar, is perfect for checking upcoming events at a glance and you can add appointments without having to open the full app. The natural language event creation makes it easy for you to simply jot down what you need to do and when. Fantastical takes care of the rest for you. If you just lost Sunrise and are looking for a replacement, try Fantastical 2 for Mac.
Google Calendar App For Desktop
March 2019: Updated pricing and links.
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