Comments on: Sync Google Calendar with Outlook

This article explains how to sync your Google Calendar with Outlook 2016, 2013 and Outlook 2010; it also provides an overview of free tools and services to help you choose the approach best suited for your needs. Continue reading →

Table of contents

Comments page 4. Total comments: 454

  1. This was super helpful and I am so happy to be synced again!! :) Thank you

  2. Thank you for this post. I used the first solution for getting my google calendar on outlook. Once outlook is showing the calendar, do you know how to make multiple calendars show up on the same calendar instead of different tabs?

    Thanks again for the GREAT post!!

    1. Regrettably, the first solution described in the article does not allow placing all calendars on the same tab. I am not even sure that paid tools can do this.

  3. Hi Svetlana
    I just found your site and am not a technical person. I am struggling to fix the syncing of my Outlook 2010 with my Google calendar and my android phone. I need to make sure that when I am on the go adding or changing appointments in my phone things get changed in my Outlook calendar and vise versa. The same goes for my contacts. One item that I didn't see addressed above was security. I do have confidential information in the note section in my Outlook contacts. Could this be compromised during syncing?
    Thank you for your help and advice
    Tracie

  4. I tried gSyncIt free version to sync Outlook and my Google Calendar. The GSyncIt has a lot of features beyond just calendar syncing which I do not need, so I couldn't justify the $20 cost. Also, the free use pop-up when launching Outlook is annoying. I sent a email to fieldstonsoftware.com is ask if they had a slimmed down version for less cost since their software was over-priced for the single feature that I needed. I received a very rude and unprofessional response from their sales department => Dave. I immediately uninstalled gSyncIt from my computer and will never do business with Fieldstonsoftware again.

  5. I tried the gSyncIt but could not get the account verified, got an error every time about incorrect credentials... Eventually uninstalled, still stuck >:-/

    1. Hi Eben,

      The developers claim the issue is fixed in version 4. Have you tried it?

  6. Try out this, is already Benchmark for syncing Outlook contacts and notes with Google and since some weeks it can also sync calendar appointments for free (OpenSource: http://sourceforge.net/projects/googlesyncmod/

  7. Many thanks for the awesome site!

  8. Hi Svetlana,
    Thanks for the useful info. have you tested the outlook4gmail outlook add in? It is also $20 bucks
    Thanks,
    Paul

    1. Hi Paul,

      I have not tested it personally, however some of our blog readers tried it and posted very positive feedback (please see comments 142, 195 and 215).

  9. Svetlana
    Thank you so much for this information! It was very helpful. I am trying out Gsyncit.

  10. I tried the trial version of CompanionLink and I'm still trying to fix my calendar. It DELETED any recurring event that was not in its usual time. So a recurring Tuesday 10:00 am appointment that got moved to 11:00 on one day was deleted. I missed some very important meetings because of this. Also deleted other events and I don't see the pattern for those. Duplicated other data, especially birthdays. It was a nightmare. Also took forever (hours) the first time it did the sync. Subsequent syncs would seriously bog down my computer. Given the good reviews it gets, I was really unprepared for this. Beware! So, I'm about to try gSyncIt now. Fingers crossed.

    Thanks Svetlana for the awesome reviews and to everyone for all the helpful comments.

  11. I cannot thank you enough for this article, TREMENDOUSLY helpful. THANK YOU!

  12. Thanks, Svetlana! I just installed the free version of gsynchit and it works better than the google product! Simple to install and easy to configure. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  13. Hi Svetlana
    I join every word (OK, almost, as I stayed with the free version) that Luke wrote (#228), especially referring to you great supporting job you are doing here.
    Benny

  14. Do you have any information on how to sync Outlook 2011 Calendars (Mac) with a Google Calendar? I am looking for sync two way not import/export. Thank you

  15. Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me so many options for keeping my life organized... I mean for helping me keep my Google calendar synced with Outlook. I chose the gsyncit tool and if it works as well as it did in the first trial run, I will purchase it. I greatly appreciate this informative blog!

  16. Hello Svetlana,
    its so good to have you. My world was shaken when I read about the discontinuing of Google's calendar sync tool and its apparent only successor Google Apps...until I came upon this site. I am too an extremly reluctant person and as many, I don't want to pay money for something that isn't proven to be a blast.
    The gSyncit tool spoke to me the most among the introduced Google calendar sync tool alternatives and I tested the trial version. I must say, after a few successful tests, it left a stable and convenient impression and I made peace with the 20 bucks licence fee very quickly. It's just what I need and even much more, so I didn't hesitate spending the money. As far as the settings complexity goes, I didn't have any trouble setting it up. The preferences are neatly structured and allow the user to stay in detailed control of the software's behavior. I can highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't like leaving things to chance.
    I don't think, I would have made it without your great work and the constructive posts of so many people that had the same problem.
    So thank you, Svetlana and all who contributed to this very valuable collection of knowledge, it is greatly appreciated! The ablebits page and the Svetlana g+ blog are now in my bookmarks ;-)

    1. Hello Luke,

      Thank you very much for sharing your impressions about gSyncit and for your kind words! Getting such comments is the most pleasant part of a blogger's job :) I am also glad the Internet really makes it a small world and so many nice people from all over the world have come to visit us. I've already said this many times and want to say it again - a HUGE thanks to everyone who has read this blog and especially to those who have taken a minute to post feedback here!

  17. Just purchased gSyncit and it seems to work as promised. One glitch; had to set Google to allow "Less secure apps" to access my account (Google names MS Outlook as an example of a less secure app). Thanks for your help; I probably wouldn't have gotten here if not for your instructions.

    1. Hi Dave,

      A few users have mentioned that the "Less secure apps" issue is solved in version 4. As stated on their page, GSYNCIT v4 is coming on August 15th, 2014 and PRE-RELEASE-BETA is available now.

  18. The article has been very helpful and is very up-to-date. Thanks for taking the time to share this information.

  19. Thanks very much for this great aricle ! This was just the information I wanted. :-)

  20. Thank you so much! Your article saved me. I'm enjoying gSync. Thanks again for your help.

  21. Svetlana,

    Thank you, thank you. Super helpful easy clear instructions. I've been using Googlesync for years. I loved it, worked great then I heard they were not supporting it about a year ago, but it still worked great. Then I get an e-mail saying that they are going to discontinue it altogether in August. Well seeing was believing and sure enough, sync no longer worked in August.

    I really depend on my calendar to sync between my phone, work computer and laptop. Huge scheduling issues. Started googling solutions and wasn't finding anything useful until I cam across your great article. I purchased gSyncit for my work and laptop computer and it works like a charm. The only minor issue on instruction is that in your picture you show the Outlook Calendar as \\archive\calendar. I had to use \\personal folder\Calendar to make it work.

    Great job Svet, I'm sure you will get a lot of responses since everyone will now have to make some changes. BTW I looked into GoogleApps which cost $60-50 per year and you have to go get a domain which I don't have or need.

    You should get a commission on sales with this great write-up. Thanks so much!!!

    1. Hi Steve,

      Thank you very much for your feedback. \\archive\calendar is a good catch! I tried gSyncit on my backup calendar first, and forgot to re-do the screenshot later. Thanks again for pointing this out, fixed!

  22. Svetlana,

    Thank you for the information!

    I went ahead and purchased the full version of CompanionLink and its not all roses! It should be noted that the synchronisation process takes a lot of time (20 minutes with house DSL WiFi); something to consider if you're thinking it will update every 30 minutes - might be taxing on resources. Also, the software does NOT allow you to edit the Gmail calendar from Outlook - not that you suggested it it, but just a clarification.

    Like Torri, I have persistent message that can't be deleted.

    1. Hi Greg,

      Thank you for your feedback! CompanionLink support states that all calendar data in Outlook is read and write. sorry, I cannot check this personally because my trial has already expired.

  23. Yes thank you! As it seems, Google Calendar Sync finally poo'ed out on me after many, many years of happy synching. The error box will not go away and my calendars are about a week out of sync; I'm so sad *sniffle*. Looking forward to using one of these solutions and getting back on track!

  24. Hi Svetlana, Thank you for the information. It is greatly appreciated.

  25. Thanks you for your article.
    You save me...and my calendar's sync !
    I am using GsynIt and it is working perfectly.
    I bought the licence on the 8th August and I am still waiting for my Key (On their web it is 3-5 business days).
    One more time...THANKS.

    1. After several years using Google calendar, I have just changed to an Exchange calendar. No more sync issues with Google calendar!

  26. Excellent article, and great help. Awesome people like you make the (internet) world go around...!

    Preeth

  27. Hi Laura

    On GSyncIt, $19.99 is one time charge.

  28. Has anyone tried Sync2 and if so what are your thoughts? On GSyncIt is the $19.99 a yearly fee or a one time charge? I couldn't locate anything on their website on that. Thank you.

  29. Now that the Google Calendar Sync has stopped working I found a replacement Outlook4Gmail. Although it isn’t free it works great, actually better than Google's own product did.

  31. Has anyone tried CompanionLink for Google and if so how is it?

  32. THANK YOU! I must have missed the "we aren't supporting this" notice. When it stopped syncing I followed the link in the warning but it didn't say anything about google calendar sync . . . just a bunch of stuff about setting it up. Downloaded gsyncit and it's working great for my one calendar.

  33. Thank you so much for giving us a replacement for Google calendar sync. I downloaded GSyncit, followed your instructions, and it works perfectly!

  34. Regarding SynYa:

    A - for me - serious limitation of SynqYa is that it will only handle events up to 60 days in the future.

    That is not sufficient. My planning horizon is substantially longer than that so it does not work for me. A pity.

  35. I downloaded GSyncIt but am having an issue. Calendar invite from others are stuck in recurrence mode. So, even though the invite is for an hour, it repeats every day, or every week. Did anyone else run into this issue?
    Thanks,
    Amy

    1. Hello Amy
      Sorry, we haven't encountered this problem. I can only advise contacting GSyncIt support regarding this issue: support@fieldstonsoftware.com

  36. I tried synqYa (don't bother) and then found gSyncit works great! I'm using the free version. I have one Outlook calendar and gSyncit was easy to install and setup and works great! Note I'm only using calendar sync in gSyncit. Contacts/tasks have many limitation unless you buy the full version. I continue to use "GO Contact Sync Mod" to sync my Outlook and Google contacts.

    Since I usually "Hibernate" my computer rather than shut it down, I don't often have to restart Outlook so the 15 second delay using the free gSyncit is no big deal.

    1. Hi
      Really helpful - thanks
      Can you confirm that GsyncIt will do the three way sync with outlook , gmail cal and iphone/iPad
      Thanks

  37. Svetlana,

    Thank you so much for all of the great info. Thanks to everybody else for sharing info. Based upon reviewing the posts, I downloaded the paid version of Gsyncit. Works fantastic!!! Problem solved as I'm using Outlook 2003 for my back up of my google calendar and contacts. I'll post any issues if I encounter them, none as of yet.

  38. I contacted gSyncit's support team, but for them it's normal to decrease my security level on my Google account.

    Nobody has the same problem ?

    For them, this problem will be corrected in the version V4.

    :( :(

    1. Hi Nico,

      David who ran into the same issue reported they had already fixed it in v.4. Please see comment 181 above for more info.

  39. Superb!! :)

  40. Just a wee PS to reply 180 above:
    In another blog a chap had been having problems syncing appointments he made on his phone back to Outlook via gSyncit although appointments made the other way (ie Outlook to phone) were working fine. In the end, the solution was a simple one: when making appointments on the phone he was just adding them to "My Calendar", not to the calendar that was actually linked (on my phone this is a blue bar tap option at the top of the appointment screen). The lesson: check the obvious first!

    Still a great blog, Svetlana - it needs to be plonked in front of Mr GoogleMcScheister's nose to realise what a pain in the derrier cancelling GCS has been for so many people, and how much revenue he's lost - a simple $5 charge for GCS would have generated millions.

    1. Thank you very much for this tip KathNich! You are so right about "check the obvious first!"

      BTW, this blog is turning into a valuable knowledge base on different aspects of Outlook / Google calendars syncing, all thanks to your feedback. And I want to say a very warm "thank you" to everyone who shared experiences and thoughts here!

  41. Very helpful instruction. Thank you!

    But, this appears to be a read-only display...is it not possible to create appointments in this imported Google calendar within Outlook?

    1. Hi Chuck,

      What software or method did you use to import your Google calendar to Outlook?

  42. Hi,
    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
    Had not realised that Google Calendar Sync was now defunct and just thought I had an error. Then I found your wonderfully helpful article.
    I have downloaded the free version of GSyncit and it is perfect. Just does the job.
    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

  43. All I want is a read-only copy from Outlook to Google. The problem is that I'm on Mac with Outlook 2011 so I can't find any webdav support for SynqYa, and most of these other apps are Windows only. Today I'm just using the ICS option, but it doesn't update frequently enough. Any suggestions?

  44. According to SynqYa, they do not offer full 2-way synchronization of your calendars! Items from Google calendar that are synced to Outlook are read only and cannot be modified.

    Cut and pasted from SynqYa's webpage:
    How can I synchronize my Microsoft™ Outlook calendar with my Google™ Calendar?
    You can synchronize Outlook and Google calendars by combining the two methods described above. Configuration details can be found here:
    In your Outlook "work" calendar modify/add/delete events as usual. Configure Outlook export and have all of your Outlook events exported to your Google calendar.
    We recommended using a dedicated Google calendar (created in your existing Google account) for your Outlook events.
    In your Google "private" calendar modify/add/delete events as usual. Configure Outlook import and all of your Google calendar events will be imported in a new Outlook calendar. This calendar is read-only that you can not modify/add/delete events in it!

  45. I have tried several times to use gsyncit but I can't get past the verification stage. Is google being difficult with third party apps?

    Regards,
    Richard

  46. I cannot thank you warmly enough for this article. Like many I have been adversely affected by Google's termination of its free sync service between Google and Outlook. I was planning to use Google's apps for business package, but despite considerable support from Google's technicians, it was all too complex. Also Google wants to migrate you rather than sync. This to me was too threatening.
    Google Apps are not as good as Outlook and they need to make significant improvements in their market offering. Google is acting as a bully and that's not good enough.
    I have now embarked on a trial of CompanionLink. So far, following your well presented guide I have successfully implemented the software on my PC and have every intention of purchasing it full time.
    Without your input I might not have gone this route. Grateful thanks once again and keep it up. We all need people like you!

    1. Thank you very much for your warm feedback, John! Your praise, even if not fully deserved, was very pleasant for me to read : ) Thank you!

  47. Hi Sveta,
    I have been a devoted user of Google's Sync Calender to Outlook and for the past 2 days the syncing process stuck with error code 2016 announcement. Any suggestion to make it work again?
    Also, there was a rumor (?) that Google will stop supporting the sync to Outlook from Aug 1. Anything known about it?
    Tnx for the great help you provide here
    Please cc the response to my gmail
    Benny

    1. rcvd July 8 from Gmail:
      Important Announcement about Google Calendar Sync

      Almost two years ago, we announced that we ended support for Google Calendar Sync. Starting on August 1, 2014, this app will no longer sync events between your Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook Calendar.

      You can continue to access all of your Google Calendar events at calendar.google.com or on your mobile devices. Follow these instructions to uninstall Google Calendar Sync from your computer.
      - The Calendar Team

    2. Hi Benny,

      Regrettably, this is not just a rumor. Google officially announced the ultimate end of life of their Sync Calendar tool starting from August 1, 2014. All current users received notifications (you can find the full text in earlier comments, e.g. #126) No chance that someone can get it to work again, alas.

  48. I use this one now.
    Calendar Sync for Outlook and Google Calendar (Free Software)
    http://www.pppindia.com/calendar-sync
    I work great the first time but I have to go with the paid version to get sync only upcoming/future Outlook appointments and Google Calendar events. Otherwise the sync takes to long.

  49. We started using Outlook4Gmail to sync our contacts (free version) and now will be switching to the paid version ($15) to sync our calendars. I have been OVERLY impressed with it, and thought it deserved a plug. I'm not sure of the address, but google it and you should find it.

  50. How to configure gSyncit with my google Account ? In gmail, I received an email to informe me that an application has been bloked (gSyncit).

    Should I configure my Google Account to accept less security ? What is the real danger with this parameter ? I'm not sure that it's a good idea...no ?

    1. Hi Nico,

      I would not recommend you setting a lower security level in your Google account. Instead, you can contact gSyncit's support team, there's a good chance that this is a known issue and they may know how to fix it.

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