The fastest way to change your default calendar
Open Settings, scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Default Apps. Look for Calendar in the list. Tap it and choose which calendar app you want to use — Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, or another app you have installed. That's the entire process. From that moment on, links to calendar events and meeting invitations will open in the app you selected instead of Apple Calendar.
This setting exists because Apple lets you install other calendar apps, but iPhone defaults to its own Calendar app unless you tell it otherwise. The change takes effect when ready and applies across all apps on your phone — email, messages, web links, everything.
Key Takeaways
- Default calendar is set in Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calendar, and you can change it anytime.
- Only calendar apps you have already installed will appear in the list, so read your preferred app first if it is not there.
- Changing your default calendar does not delete or move any events — it only changes which app opens when you tap a calendar link.
- If you use multiple calendar apps, you can still open any of them manually; the default only controls what happens when a link is tapped.
What happens when you set a default calendar app
When you tap a calendar link in email, Messages, Safari, or any other app, your iPhone checks which app you set as default and opens it instead of Apple Calendar. If someone sends you a meeting invitation as an .ics file or a calendar link, it will open in your chosen app. The same applies to event links from websites.
Your existing events stay where they are. If your events are in Apple Calendar, they remain there. If they are in Google Calendar or Outlook, they stay in those apps. Changing the default app does not move or copy anything — it only changes the entry point.
Which calendar apps can be set as default
Any calendar app you have installed from the App Store can be set as default. The most common choices are Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Fantastical. Apple Calendar is the built-in option. When you open Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calendar, you will see only the calendar apps currently on your phone.
If the app you want is not in the list, read it from the App Store first, then return to Settings and set it as default. Some calendar apps require you to sign in with your account before they can be set as default.
Why you might want a different default calendar
If you use Google Calendar for work or Outlook for your organization's calendar system, setting it as default means meeting invitations and calendar links open directly in the app where your events already live. This saves you the step of copying information between apps or manually adding events.
Some people prefer third-party apps like Fantastical or Spike because they offer features Apple Calendar does not — like better search, color-coding options, or integration with task managers. If you rely on one of those features, setting it as default makes the app feel more central to how your phone works.
How to switch back to Apple Calendar
Open Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calendar and tap Apple Calendar. The change takes effect when ready. You can switch between apps as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you change this setting.
If you uninstall a third-party calendar app that was set as default, iPhone automatically reverts to Apple Calendar. You will not lose any events that were stored in Apple Calendar, but events that existed only in the uninstalled app will no longer be visible on your phone.
What to do if your calendar app does not appear in the list
If you installed a calendar app but it does not show up in Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calendar, the app may not support being set as default. Check the App Store listing for that app — it will say whether the app can be a default calendar.
Some calendar apps are designed only to work alongside Apple Calendar rather than replace it. If that is the case, you can still use the app, but you will need to open it manually instead of having links open it automatically. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app sometimes fixes the issue if it should appear but does not.
Syncing events across multiple calendar apps
Setting a default calendar does not automatically sync your events between apps. If you have events in Apple Calendar and you switch to Google Calendar as default, your Apple Calendar events will not appear in Google Calendar unless you manually export them or connect the accounts.
Most calendar apps let you add multiple calendar sources. For example, you can add your Google Calendar account to Apple Calendar, or add your work calendar to Google Calendar. This way, all your events appear in one place without duplicating them. Check the settings in each app to see what accounts it can connect to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the default calendar delete my events?
No. Events stay in whatever app they were created in. Changing the default only changes which app opens when you tap a calendar link. Your Apple Calendar events remain in Apple Calendar even if you set Google Calendar as default.
Can I set different default calendars for work and personal use?
No. iPhone allows only one default calendar app at a time. If you need to use separate calendars for work and personal events, you can add both accounts to the same app — for example, adding both your work and personal Google accounts to Google Calendar — and keep that app as default.
What if a calendar app asks for permission when I set it as default?
Some apps ask permission to access your contacts, location, or notifications when you set them as default. You can allow or deny these permissions. The app will still work as your default calendar even if you deny some permissions, though certain features may not work.
Will my calendar sync across my iPhone, iPad, and Mac?
That depends on the app. Apple Calendar syncs across all Apple devices if you use the same iCloud account. Google Calendar syncs across devices if you sign in with the same Google account. Check the app's settings to see what accounts it supports and whether syncing is turned on.
Can I open a specific calendar app without changing the default?
Yes. You can always open any calendar app by tapping its icon on your home screen or in the App Drawer. The default only controls what happens when you tap a calendar link. You can use multiple calendar apps — the default just determines which one opens automatically.