How to Sync your Outlook Calendar, Google Calendar and Android Phone Calendar

by Antonio Wells May 12, 2009 5:00 AM – 164 Comments

Video: How To Sync Android With Microsoft Outlook

Many of us new Androids use Microsoft Outlook regularly for email without Exchange. Now that you have an Android phone (which requires you to have a Gmail account) you have a separate calendar in Gmail which your Android phone can easily sync with. This tutorial walks you through how to enable you to synchronize your Outlook calendar with Google calendar which will sync with your Android phone. This makes things very convenient and uniform when you can enter information in either and they all stay synchronized… and all for Free!

How to do it:

Update: Unfortunately, Google removed their Google Calendar Sync software, you will have to find an alternative by searching download sites… link below.

Get download link here
Enter your Gmail account information
Select 2-Way sync as this will sync your Outlook with Gmail
Set sync interval in minutes
That’s it!

Note: to force the sync, simply “Right-Click” the Google Sync icon in your task tray (bottom right), click “Sync”.

Google Calendar Sync in Taskbar

Whether you enter calendar entries in Microsoft Outlook, Gmail or your Android phone, all places will be synced. For example, you add an entry on your Android phone, which will eventually sync with Gmail; later in the day you get back to your computer and open Outlook in which Google Calendar Sync will sync with Gmail.

Want to give your input on how to sync your life with your Android? Post tips for the rest of the Android Community by visiting Sync Your Life

Categorised in: Android Advice, Apps Blog, News

164 Comments

By Jessica on May 19, 2011 at 9:45 am:

Please add the option of which Google Calendar to sync to, or it’s own. This would be extremely beneficial – especially for those with several calendars.

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- By lou on August 29, 2012 at 9:06 am:
  
  I dont want my personal information out on google. I want to keep it directly on my computer for security reasons. Isn’t anyone concerned about security these days? Doesn’t anyone have any concerns about their contacts and calendars being out on the internet???? Someone gets a hold of your passwords… they know your appointments. Business wise, they’ve got all of your contacts; this is horrible. Great that the FBI could track criminals though.
  
  Reply
  - By Fernando on September 9, 2012 at 6:00 am:
    
    I completely agree with your security concerns. I also feel the need to sync just a few Outlook events but no all the reminders I have programmed to warn me of incoming birthdays and so on. Is there a way to select which Outlook calendar events you want to sync with a droid phone (HTC Desire HD)
    Thnaks
    
    Reply
  - By lou on January 12, 2013 at 1:50 pm:
    
    Well, I finally found a solution. I went and purchased a Windows phone. Couldn’t be happier! Although I do now have to connect with Windows live for my calendar everything is so much more organized and I can actually hear my alerts, rings and alarms from my basement to upstairs. Next purchase will be a Windows tablet.
    
    Reply
  - By Peter Harper on March 6, 2013 at 8:06 am:
    
    You can use additonal apps to sync your appointments/contact independent from Google. On my own setup I use two apps. One for appointments (CalendarSync) and one for contacts (ContactSync). There two apps work togehter with my own owncloud and another davical server so that Google does not get any private information from me.
    
    Got a free testlicense from the dev here:http://ntbab.dyndns.org/apache2-default/seite/index.html
    
    Reply
By pkaras on June 21, 2011 at 11:40 pm:

Just got my first android phone! I use outlook on a MacBook pro – OS10. I am beginning to get the awful feeling that there is no way for me to sync that calendar with google/android. Say it ain’t so, because that’s a deal breaker (I actually think I would rather get rid of the Mac than the phone, but finances forbid me from doing so…) Any apps to do this or advice anyone can provide?

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- By chendo on November 12, 2012 at 7:54 pm:
  
  there is an app. called android sync. that allows you to sync outlook for around $30. or use google as a middle man and all three would be sync with each other. i am looking for a free way to sync my android with my outlook, useing usb or wifi or Bluetooth.
  
  Reply
By Gordon on July 15, 2011 at 2:13 pm:

I have two corporate sync accounts and a gmail account on my driodx but only want to sync calendar to and from gmail and one corporate account.

Gordon

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By konaron on July 22, 2011 at 12:49 am:

I want to sync my palm pilot to my motorola Droid.

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By rmast on November 3, 2011 at 12:06 pm:

When I right click on the Google sync icon, then click on ‘Sync’, I get an error message that is same thing I keep seeing in Outlook. It says the username and password do not match. It then says to enter full email address including @domain.com. The email address the message shows is the complete email address including @gmail.com.

How do I get rid of this error message and sync my Outlook calendar with my samsung galaxy phone?

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By Jamies on January 11, 2012 at 1:22 pm:

Will this method also sync my TASKS list from outlook?

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- By Flexim38 on January 14, 2012 at 3:57 pm:
  
  Hi, I have been using ‘Blue SyncRoid’ to sync my contacts and calendars between Outlook and Android via Bluetooth. Used to forget my cable and unwilling to share my personal information (contacts and calendars) on the cloud to sync in info. Pretty satisfied with the solution. Simple and user friendly.
  
  They also have a trial version launched. Highly recommended. Visit http://www.bluesyncroid.com for more details. Thumbs up!
  
  Reply
By Heather on January 19, 2012 at 9:55 pm:

Question about Samsung Galaxy South 2 and outlook 2007 calendar sync. Is it possible to do a sync with outlook AND have the color coding for different events? How about if I use Google Calendar for syncing… Can I somehow get the color coding system that way?

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By lou on January 27, 2012 at 4:47 pm:

Wow.. it looks almost like Big Brother… Why in the world would I want all of my contacts and calendar out on the internet with Google? Who are they for me to “trust” them with my valuable information? Is this safe? What about security?

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- By Antonio Wells on January 28, 2012 at 7:27 am:
  
  In the years that we have been using Google services like Contacts across several phones and tablets there has not been security issues. There is always some risk with security involving digital content storage but in my opinion very low. In this digital age it’s hard not to have your personal data online somewhere, in some fashion.
  
  Just by browsing our site, Google and other service providers know personal details about you; such as you Internet surfing habits. Apple and Microsoft do this as well with contacts storage. So it’s either trust these companies with your data or stick too using “the brick” phone or Startac throwback phones.
  
  Reply
  - By Andrea on February 8, 2012 at 11:17 am:
    
    Google is changing, not the same of a few years ago. If I had known what it actually means to own an Android device, I would not have bought one.
    
    The fact that, having in front of me an Android and a laptop connected by USB cable, I am forced to send my sensitive data over the internet to Google and back to me, is:
    -a waste of energy and bandwidth
    -a useless complication
    -an insult to the users
    -a very serious threat
    
    Reply
    - By wilko on September 12, 2012 at 8:35 pm:
      
      I’m with you. First and last android for me. I’m just waiting a few months for my contract to expire and windows phone it is.
      
      Reply
  - By Andrew Frechette on May 3, 2012 at 3:28 pm:
    
    The security issue is the reason Blackberry has survived for so long. I have been a loyal BB user for 6 years, in part because the company chose to lose entire nations rather than allow law enforcement agencies access to their proprietary server, which is has high security. I am moving to android because of functionality issued in global travel (mainly, I want Skype video calling via wifi). However, if you want that security level, the BB phones are still the way to go. Google has experienced some controversy recently because they DO mine your personal data, including your text messages and emails for keywords which can be used to direct targeted advertising at your public assess web activities like google searches and Facebook. There have been no allegations that they have released sensitive information of a private nature to persons who might abuse it. There is a lower security level.
    
    Reply
    - By lou on May 4, 2012 at 7:14 am:
      
      I think I am going to make the switch to Blackberry. If someone can steal my bank information, and my identity… I’m absolutely sure they can hack into my personal information on google. I would much rather sync directly to outlook.
      
      Reply
      - By Really? on November 30, 2012 at 1:56 pm:
        
        if someone wants to get to your bank account info, they’re not going to get there through your andriod smartphone. Dumpster diving and phishing websites/emails are still the top ways that identity theives get your info. Think about how many big stories you’ve heard about theives stealing info through hacking into your cell phone (without actually having it in their hands). Now think about how many stories there would be if it were highly likely that this could happen. Wouldn’t the news media be ALL over it? and wouldn’t Blackberry be throwing it in everyone’s afaces that it was much harder to do to one of their devices? You bet they would. People need to lighten up a bit these days. I’m not saying not to be protective of your data, but Google having your info is not dangerous. I’ve been using it since 2005 and I’ve never had anything hacked or identity stolen. On the other hand, someone who got hold of my old AT&T landline bill after I moved was able to charge a web-hosting service of $20/month to my landline. Suddenly my bill was higher and I thought it was simply due to long distance calls. It took me months to sort it out. In my opinion, having paper bills is more dangerous than having my credit card info on Google Wallet.
  - By Andrea on July 12, 2012 at 3:01 am:
    
    While I agree that Google & co already know all our surfing habits and all the information included in our emails, I keep a number of personal informations in my Outlook contacts that are not web or email-related and that I’d rather keep private. Going to the cloud means bye-bye to privacy, and this is what I find unacceptable in the android design. It’s not just Google (that I trust less and less, see recent policy changes) but also the fact that any data center can be hacked.
    
    On a good note: I have tried and eventually bought android-sync. I am quite happy for now, and I recommend it.
    
    Reply
  - By lou on January 12, 2013 at 1:54 pm:
    
    Yep, big brother! Just like the “snapshots” your insurance agency wants you to put in your car. You own a cell phone or a vehicle; basically that’s the price you pay getting your constitutional rights taken away.
    
    Reply
By Nathan on February 8, 2012 at 7:59 am:

Does this work if you don’t use outlook for your gmail addresss?

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By dighairr on February 23, 2012 at 9:11 am:

is there anyway to have the Gmail calander show up as a “seperate” calander in Outlook or to have all the Gmail calander items show up as Private?
I sync to my work calander in outlook and would rather not have everyone see my personal appts.
I know I can go back into outlook and label as private but sometimes I forger.

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By Frank M on February 26, 2012 at 8:32 pm:

Thank you, Antonio and ANDROIDTAPP.

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By Zee on March 6, 2012 at 4:40 pm:

Outlook Contacts: How do I sync my Outlook Contacts with Google Contacts?

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- By rajeev kirpalani on June 12, 2012 at 2:06 am:
  
  there is a really good software called “Go Contacts Sync Mod” is free and reliable
  
  Reply
  - By Zee on June 14, 2012 at 5:52 pm:
    
    Thanks Rajeev. I dowloaded GoContacts and I am using it now. It is Really good.
    
    Reply
By Tom Gohlsen on March 22, 2012 at 5:21 pm:

Hi,
for synching my Android phone with different calendars i use a android app called CalendarSync. With this app i can sync the device with different calendar sources like outlook or other web calendars (Caldav, Webdav, FTP,. …). I works really well. I think the app is it worth to give it a try.

http://ntbab.dyndns.org/apache2-default/seite/icalparseandroid.html

Regards
Tom

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By ridiculous on March 30, 2012 at 2:26 pm:

Can MS please just make Outlook for the Android even if we have to pay for it? Creating a second email account to then pull and push to your existing fully functional exchange server is ridiculous. This is not a solution, this is a workaround. Why oh why can’t somebody just make a client that will communicate with an exchange server for real?

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By Alderwoman on April 6, 2012 at 7:39 pm:

This is sooooo not OK. The whole reason I want to use Outlook’s calendar is because Google’s calendar is horrible: appointments get changed or deleted without warning, all by themselves. I nearly missed a couple of doctor’s appointments and did miss some appointments with clients because Google’s calendar moved ALL of my appointments to an hour later than I’d entered them (and it wasn’t related to Daylight’s Savings Time), and because some appointments just “disappeared.” I agree with @ridiculous: Microsoft should just get over themselves (and their mobile operating system) and make an Outlook app specifically for the Android. I would pay for that, too!

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By amanda smith on April 21, 2012 at 10:01 pm:

I want to sync my text mgs with my husbands phone

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By Gwendolyn G on May 12, 2012 at 6:22 pm:

My version of Vista is not supported by Google Sync, what else can I do? I paid too much for this tablet to have my data in Microsoft and not be able to access the data and I refuse to RE-TYPE that much information. What can I do?

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By john on June 15, 2012 at 12:35 pm:

Hi,

I use Mobisynapse to sync my Outlook calendar, task, notes and contacts with my phone. it works well for me.

http://www.mobisynapse.com/

Regards,

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By Joop on June 24, 2012 at 9:18 am:

Does anybody know what goes wrong when I try to connect Andoid Calendar with Google Calendar?
I get the messages like “Initialisation not complete” and “Can’t get connection to the server” in my own language.

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By Joseph on August 15, 2012 at 6:56 pm:

Thank you!

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By Sam on August 29, 2012 at 6:10 am:

Hey, thanks for this article, it helped loads :0 !!!

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By Jarda on September 3, 2012 at 9:23 am:

Hello, all is running excepting phome->google calendar direction. Is some idea, what is wrong? I have Samsung Galaxy Pocket. Thanks! Jarda

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By lou on December 16, 2012 at 3:42 pm:

I don’t think the user “Really?” quite understands; it’s not the phone they can hack; it’s your Google account on the internet. I recently had my facebook page hacked. Now don’t tell me that Google is any safer. Anyway gang, I gave up on my android phone and went back to a windows phone because I “needed” to use Outlook. Low and behold… you are now forced to use Microsoft Live and put all of your information out there anyway. I don’t like to be forced to put my private information out on the interne but I do like the Windows phone much better and it is much more organized. I guess it’s a bone that now needs to be picked with Microsoft.

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By ae on January 12, 2013 at 12:06 am:

Can one just send appointments from outlook and save them in an android calendar?

Follow anywhere? Lag time, or immediate?

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By Gar on January 29, 2013 at 10:48 am:

Now that the googlecalendarsync is no longer available for download (as of Dec 14, 2012), what can you do to sync outlook calendar with the droid?

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By tony coups on April 7, 2011 at 12:07 pm:

htc sync required forhtc desire

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By Emperor Crusher on April 9, 2011 at 9:14 pm:

Actually, there are many solutions to sync the calendar and contacts with the Desire and HTC sync is not required (unless I misunderstand your comment). See http://www.syncdroid.net for a lengthly list of the options available to you.

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By Mario on May 22, 2011 at 9:16 am:

After two days of trying, I figured it out. The Droid calender tries to send the information to” MY CALENDER” choose an appointment, open it and change from my calendar to calendar. Now do a sync and shazam it works.

Good luck

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