Google Calendar and Apple Calendar can show the same events if you set up a connection between them
You can view your Google Calendar events inside Apple Calendar on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad without switching between apps. The connection works one way: Apple Calendar pulls your Google events and displays them alongside your other calendars. Changes you make in Google Calendar show up in Apple Calendar within minutes. If you edit an event in Apple Calendar, it updates in Google Calendar too.
The process takes about five minutes and requires your Google account password. You do not need to read extra software or pay for a service. Once connected, your Google Calendar stays synced as long as you stay signed into your Google account on that device.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Calendar syncs with Google Calendar through your Google account login, and changes in either app update in both within minutes.
- On Mac, you add your Google account in System Settings under Mail, Contacts, Calendars; on iPhone or iPad, you do the same in Settings under Mail.
- Google Calendar appears as a separate calendar in Apple Calendar, so you can hide it, color-code it, or view it alongside other calendars.
- If syncing stops, check that you are still signed into your Google account and that two-factor authentication is not blocking the connection.
How to connect on Mac
Open System Settings and click Mail, Contacts, Calendars in the left sidebar. Click the plus sign at the bottom of the accounts list and select Google. A browser window opens asking you to sign in to your Google account. Enter your email address and password, then click Next.
Google asks which information you want to sync. Make sure Calendar is checked — Mail and Contacts are optional depending on what you want to sync. Click Allow to give Apple Calendar permission to access your Google Calendar. Return to System Settings and you should see your Google account listed. Your Google Calendar now appears in Apple Calendar with all your events.
How to connect on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and scroll down to Mail. Tap Accounts, then tap Add Account. Select Google and enter your email address. Tap Next and enter your password when prompted. Google may ask you to verify your identity — if you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to complete that step.
On the next screen, toggle Calendar on so Apple Calendar can access your Google events. Tap Save. Your Google Calendar syncs to your iPhone or iPad when ready. You can now see Google Calendar events in the Calendar app alongside any other calendars you have added.
Managing your synced Google Calendar
Once connected, your Google Calendar appears as a separate calendar in Apple Calendar. You can tap or click the circle next to its name to hide or show it. You can also right-click the calendar name (on Mac) or swipe left on it (on iPhone or iPad) to change its color, so it stands out from your other calendars.
Events created in Google Calendar appear in Apple Calendar automatically. If you create an event in Apple Calendar and want it to go to Google Calendar instead, make sure you select Google Calendar from the calendar dropdown before saving. Events created in Apple Calendar's default calendar stay in Apple Calendar only.
What to do if syncing stops working
If your Google Calendar events stop appearing or updating, first check that you are still signed into your Google account. On Mac, open System Settings, click Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and look for your Google account in the list. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Mail, and tap Accounts — your Google account should be there.
If your Google account shows as signed in but events are not syncing, try signing out and signing back in. On Mac, click the minus sign next to your Google account in System Settings, then add it again. On iPhone or iPad, tap Edit in the Accounts screen, select your Google account, and tap Delete Account, then add it again. If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Google account, you may need to create an app password instead of using your regular password — Google will prompt you to do this if required.
Syncing works differently on web and desktop
If you use Google Calendar on the web at calendar.google.com, it does not automatically show Apple Calendar events. Google Calendar is a separate service and does not pull in calendars from other apps. You can still view both by opening them in different browser tabs or windows, but they will not merge into one view.
On Mac, you can also add Google Calendar to the Calendar app by subscribing to a public calendar link, but this only works if you have shared your Google Calendar publicly. The account method described above is simpler and keeps your calendar private while still syncing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changes I make in Apple Calendar show up in Google Calendar?
Yes, if you edit an event in Apple Calendar that came from Google Calendar, the change syncs back to Google Calendar within a few minutes. If you create a new event in Apple Calendar, it stays in Apple Calendar only unless you specifically select Google Calendar as the destination when creating it.
Can I sync Apple Calendar to Google Calendar instead?
Not directly. Google Calendar does not have a built-in way to pull events from Apple Calendar. You can manually add Apple Calendar events to Google Calendar by copying them, or use a third-party automation tool, but the native sync only works one way: Google Calendar into Apple Calendar.
What happens if I sign out of my Google account on my device?
Your Google Calendar stops syncing and disappears from Apple Calendar. If you sign back in later, it reappears with all your events. Your events are not deleted — they are just hidden until you sign in again.
Can I sync multiple Google Calendars to Apple Calendar?
Yes. When you add your Google account to Apple Calendar, all calendars in that Google account appear in Apple Calendar automatically. You can hide or show each one individually by clicking or tapping the circle next to its name.
Do I need to turn on two-factor authentication to sync?
Two-factor authentication is optional, but if you have it enabled, Google may ask you to verify your identity during setup. You may need to create an app-specific password instead of using your regular Google password. Google will guide you through this if required.