What does “How to Sync Google Calendar” actually mean? It can mean several things!
Depending on your situation, you might be trying to:
- sync Google Calendar across multiple devices,
- connect Google Calendar to another app,
- sync two different Google accounts,
- set up true two-way synchronization.
👉 I’ll show you which method actually works based on what you need.
Step 1: Identify What You Want to Sync
Before looking for how to sync Google Calendar, you need to answer a much simpler (and often ignored) question:
👉 What exactly are you trying to synchronize?
Because no, “syncing Google Calendar” does not mean the same thing for everyone.
In practice, there are only three possible cases:
1️⃣ A Device.
Example: your calendar is not updating between your phone and your computer.
2️⃣ Another App or Service.
Example: Slack, Calendly, a calendar app, or a professional tool that wants to “see your availability.”
3️⃣ Another Google Account.
Example: a personal Gmail account + a Google Workspace account (and the chaos that comes with it).
💡If you manage multiple calendars daily, this guide explains how to effectively sync multiple calendars without losing events.
Step 2: Follow the Right Sync Method
If You Want to Sync Google Calendar on Your Phone or Computer
If you’re using the same Google account, synchronization is supposed to work automatically. When it doesn’t, here’s what to check.
On Phone (Android or iPhone):
- Make sure you’re logged into the correct Google account.
- Open your phone settings → Accounts → Google → Make sure Calendar sync is enabled.
- Open the Google Calendar app. → Menu → Settings → Make sure the calendar is checked.
🔎 If an event isn’t appearing, 9 times out of 10: sync is disabled or the calendar is hidden (the classic issue).
On Computer:
- Log in to Google Calendar in your browser.
- Make sure you’re using the correct Google account (top right corner).
- In the left column, ensure the calendar is visible.
💡 Simple but effective tip: refresh the page or sign out and back in.
👉Before going further, it’s helpful to clearly understand what calendar synchronization really means and how it differs from sharing or subscribing.
If You Want To Sync Google Calendar With Another App
What are we actually talking about here?
This is not a full synchronization tool. We’re talking about an app that uses Google Calendar.
In practical terms:
- the app connects to your Google account,
- it reads your events,
- and sometimes creates new ones.
👉 Google Calendar remains the main source. The app simply plugs into it.
How Does It Work?
- Open the relevant application.
- Go to the integration settings.
- Connect your Google account.
- Grant calendar access.
- Choose which calendar to use.
That’s it.
➡️ If you need two calendars to stay perfectly identical at all times,
this is not the type of app you need. That’s exactly why dedicated synchronization tools exist (we’ll cover that later).
💡Working with multiple companies quickly makes calendar management more complex. Here’s how to keep your schedule consistent across different professional contexts.
If You Want to Sync Google Calendar Between Accounts
This is the trickiest case.
And no, Google Calendar does not offer true automatic synchronization between two accounts by default.
However, there are still two acceptable native methods to view (and I mean view, because that’s all they do) the events from one account inside another.
Method 1: Share a Calendar Between Multiple Google Accounts
- Sign in to the source account (the one that contains the events).
- Open Google Calendar → Settings.
- Select the calendar you want to share.
- Share it with the other Google account.
- Grant at least “See all event details” access (or “Make changes” if needed).
What This Allows (and What It Does NOT Allow):
✅ You can see events from both accounts in one place.
✅ You reduce scheduling conflicts.
✅ Works well for visibility and planning.
❌ It is not true two-way synchronization.
❌ An event created in Account B is not automatically copied to Account A.
❌ Permissions may break depending on professional settings (Google Workspace).
Method 2: Subscribe to a Calendar via URL (ICS)
Step 1: Get the iCal URL from the Source Calendar.
- Go to Google Calendar (web version).
- Click the ⚙️ icon → Settings > Settings for my calendars.
- Select the relevant calendar.
- Scroll down to the Integrate calendar section.
- Copy the iCal format URL.
Step 2: Subscribe to the Calendar in the Other Account.
- Sign in to the second Google account.
- Open Google Calendar.
- In the left column, click + next to Other calendars.
- Select From URL.
- Paste the iCal URL.
- Confirm.
What This Allows (and What It Does NOT Allow).
✅ View another calendar.
❌ Read-only (no edits possible).
❌ Slow updates (sometimes several hours).
❌ No true two-way synchronization.
❌ Anyone with the link can view your calendar.
Real-Life Examples (So You Don’t Have to Guess)
👉 Use calendar sharing if:
- you have a personal Gmail account and a work account.
- you want to see your work meetings when planning personal time.
- you accept that each event remains tied to its original account.
👉 Use iCal subscription if:
- you only need to consult another calendar.
- you don’t need to edit events.
- you’re okay with delayed updates.
Synchronization means something else, and it’s not native.
💡If you use both Google Calendar and Outlook, this guide explains the reliable methods to sync them properly.
Step 3: Check Sync Limitations and Common Issues
Google Calendar syncs what it allows, not necessarily what you expect.
If your needs go beyond simple visibility or viewing access, you’ll need to move to the next solution.
Step 4: Use a Third-Party Tool (Only If Needed)
True two-way synchronization is simple:
- An event created in Calendar A → appears in Calendar B.
- A modification in B → updates A.
- A deletion → removed from both sides.
- Automatically, continuously.
👉 That’s exactly what Google Calendar does not do natively between accounts.
In that specific case, you need a tool whose only role is synchronization. For example, SyncThemCalendars allows two different calendars to behave like a single calendar.
In practical terms:
- You connect your calendars (Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook / Office 365, or Apple Calendar).
- You choose the direction of synchronization.
- From then on, everything updates automatically.
💡Not sure whether to choose Google Calendar or Outlook? This comparison helps you understand the differences before deciding, or syncing them.
FAQ About How to Sync Google Calendar
How do I get my Google Calendar to sync?
It depends on what you are syncing:
- Same Google account → Sync is automatic if enabled.
- With an external app → You need to connect Google Calendar and grant access.
- Between two Google accounts → No true native sync (sharing only).
- True two-way synchronization between accounts → Requires a dedicated tool like SyncThemCalendars.
👉 The guide above explains which method to choose based on your situation.
Can You Link Two Google Calendars Together?
Yes, partially.
You can share a calendar between two Google accounts to see events in the same place.
However, Google Calendar does not allow you to link two calendars with true two-way synchronization.
💡 Want to go further? Discover practical tips to manage multiple calendars without duplicates or conflicts.
How Do I Automatically Copy Events from One Google Calendar to Another?
Not by default. Native options are limited to:
- Sharing (visibility or editing access),
- iCal subscription (read-only).
👉 For automatic and continuous event copying, you need a dedicated synchronization tool like SyncThemCalendars.
How Do I Turn On Auto Sync on Google?
Automatic synchronization is enabled by default on Google Calendar. If it isn’t working:
- Make sure Google account sync is enabled on your device.
- Ensure the calendar is not hidden.
- Verify that you are logged into the correct Google account.
Ready to Try SyncThemCalendars? Try SyncThemCalendars for free and keep all your calendars synchronized. Google, Apple, Microsoft, it supports them all!
