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 →

Comments page 5. Total comments: 454

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

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

  5. 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!

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

    Preeth

  7. Hi Laura

    On GSyncIt, $19.99 is one time charge.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

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

  12. 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.

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

  14. 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.

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Superb!! :)

  20. 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!

  21. 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?

  22. 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!!!!!!!!!

  23. 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?

  24. 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!

  25. 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

  26. 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!

  27. 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.

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. Buongiorno a tutti, da qualche giorno ho un problema con la sincronizzazione del calendario di Microsoft Outlook 2010 con google calendar. Tale operazione viene effettuata con google calendar sync 0.9.4.1 ma ripeto da qualche giorno ho il seguente errore:"Google calendar sync. Error syncing your calendar. Error code 2016"
    Purtroppo trovo solo spiegazioni in inglese ma non riesco proprio a risolvere la problematica.
    Grazie Massimo Bucciantini

    1. Buongiorno Massimo,

      Si ottiene questo errore perché Google ha terminato Google Calendar Sync, 1 agosto 2014 Si prega di considerare l'utilizzo di strumenti di sincronizzazione di terze parti, invece.

      P.S. The above was translated into Italian via Google translate. All grammar mistakes are Google's, not mine : )

    2. Google ha cancellato la sincronizzazione fra Outlook ed Google Calendar. Solamente quelli chi pagano per gli Google Apps potrebbero ancora avere sincronizzazione con Google. E uno schiffo di Google!

  32. So far after a week of using gSyncIt, nothing but praise for this piece of software. I bought a two-license version (home PC and laptop) for $40 (or the price of a tank of premium gas - if you drive a Mini!). Perfect and precise dance between Outlook, Google and my Android Galaxy S4 phone not only with Calendar but contacts (finally!), notes and tasks. A little hiccup in setting up contacts on the desktop for some reason (some were duplicated) - but I managed to make some adjustments and all is back to normal.

    For those scratching their heads, I really think gSyncIt (paid version) is the best option. Seldom do I even buy a $1 or $2 piece of Android software - always looking for free - but this is one purchase I have no buyer's remorse over.

    And a big thanks to Svetlana for such a great page!

    1. Thank you very much for your kind words Leef. And special thank you for your detailed feedback, I believe it will be of great help for others to make the right decisions.

  33. Stevie G - Are you talking about GCS, gSyncIt, SynqYa or something else?

  34. TOPIC: Exporting Outlook calendar to Google

    At the end I received the following message....

    "Failed to import events. Could not upload your events because you do not have sufficient access on target calendar."

    Please advise and or explain in simpleton terms.

    Thank you

    1. Hello Stevie,

      Sorry, I have never run into such an error and therefore cannot advise anything. You can probably try contacting the Microsoft support.

  35. I paid the $19.99 for gSyncIt and so far, so good. So far, gSyncIt does seem to sync the meetings for which I am not the organizer, which is an improvement for me over the old Google Calendar Sync (GCS). Thank you Svetlana for all the info here. I may consider Google Apps for Business at a later date, but gSyncIt is what I will use for now.

  36. Tried to import from outlook to calendar 2097 events only 2017 made it ?? Did i do something wrong?

  37. Lot of good info being exchanged here - I was sorry to see Calendar Sync get turned off the start of the month, it was a great tool. Svetlana - I'm hoping you can shed some light on my specific situation...
    I use Outlook 2013 at work and Outlook 2010 on my home PC. I have no desire to mix my work and personal email, but I did use Google Calendar Sync to sync my work and personal calendars, so one calender contained everything, and if I modified the calendar at either work or home, the changes would be updated on both post-sync. As I read through the info on gSyncit and SynqYa - it states that they only work for one calendar. I assume in my situation (having a work Outlook calendar and personal Outlook calendar that I wish to sync into one) - this represents two calendars an neither gSyncit and SyncqYa would apply to what I'd like to accomplish - is that accurate?
    Any other possible solutions/suggestions would be welcomed.
    It appears CompanionLink would do the job for $50, but wanted your feedback before puling the trigger.
    Thx!

    1. Thanks a ton!

    2. Hi Garman,

      According to the info provided on gSyncit's home page, the registered (paid) version syncs with multiple Outlook profiles and multiple Google accounts. One calendar is the limitation of the free (evaluation) version and this is the dilemma - you cannot evaluate this feature until you pay for it.

      As for CompanionLink, yes, it supports syncing with multiple calendars and their trial version is time-limited but fully-functional. So, I'd rather request CompanionLink's trial first, to know with certainty it works in the way I want.

      You can also try OggSync (http://oggsync.com/). I did not try this tool personally, but one of our blog readers did, you can read his feedback in comments 144 and 145. According to their features list, this software supports "Multiple Google Calendar to Outlook Sync" and a 3-day trial is available.

  38. Since google took away google sync, this shows they do not care for their users; and now they want us to pay for new tool; bye bye android, my next phone will be Windows phone.

  39. Great and extensive article. Thumbs up for the effort! After the discontinuation of google calendar sync, i started using gsyncit and works fine for me.

  40. 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. Hello Nico,

      I don't think it's a good idea to set a lower security level in your Google account. You can contact gSyncit's support team instead, there's a good chance that this is a known issue and they may have a solution that fixes it.

  41. Great original article.....extremely useful.....now that Google sync is dead, I'm using gSyncit, in a corporate environment, in an Active Directory Domain. gSyncit is working ok, but won't sync from Google to Outlook.
    Outlook to Google works though, so I'm managing!!
    And yes, I DO have the settings correct,before anyone asks. :-)

    1. Update:After logging off a few times, still had the same problem tying to manually sync, then after it's first "auto" update, everything worked fine!!...got 2-way sync'ing.

  42. Thank you!!! You were the first one mentioning Google Cal Sync was terminated and you even came up with new solutions.

  43. gSyncit seems fine. Not sure what "Google calendars was blocked by Google because evidently gSyncIt doesn't conform to "modern security standards" is about. Worked fine even with 2 factor authentication setup.

    1. I was the one who posted about gSyncIt not conforming to the security standards. I sent an email to the developers and they suggested I download version 4. I was running into the problem Nico mentions in comment 184 below. One of the features of v4 is "GOOGLE OPEN AUTHENTICATION SUPPORT: Migrated all Google syncing operations to use Open Authentication for better security and compliance with Google platform requirements."

      After I did that, everything is working fine.

      Thank you, Svetlana, for such an informative article!

      1. David,

        Thank you very much for the update!

  44. What a brilliant blog! I wish I had found it a month ago when, like everyone else, I received the dreaded e-mail from Messrs McGoogleScheister & Sons Inc..

    I wasted almost a week searching, researching, posting on blogs, forums, helplines etc, convincing Google I really WAS the admin for my account, getting useless help from clueless Microsoft support staff.. the lot, and was getting so confused by it all. At the 11th hour I found a wee posting on a blog called DroidLawyer which had a list of alternatives for GCS.

    I went for gSyncIt and invested my $19.99 (about £12.50) and I am SOOO GLAD I did. It's great, it is easy to set up, it does what I need and, by jimminy, it just works. When Fieldstone (its creators) answered my blog query about would it survive the 1st August deadline I even suggested they invest my $20 in sticky buns and a few beers (given that they're American, they probably thought I was some sort of pervert!).

    Anyway, for something simple with lots of potential, go for gSyncIt. If you don't want a 3rd party thing, there is apparently a way of doing it through setting up a pseudo exchange through Outlook.com but it rapidly got way above my skill set so I paid the money.

    Again, great blog Svetlana, thank you.

  45. Great post. Sync died for me today as well. Installed gSyncit and I'm happy... If anyone is not sure, it says it will not sync deletes for contacts, notes and tasks in the unregistered version.

  46. gSyncit works perfectly in both directions, thanks!

  47. Is any of this software able to sync without having Outlook open? That is one feature of Google Calendar Sync that I particularly appreciated. Also, some of these paid replacements are WAY overpriced: $30, $50, $60? That's nuts. I'll bet the prices all increased on August 1.

    1. As far as I know, none of the third-party syncing tools works with Outlook closed.

      As for the prices, gSyncit is still priced at $20 (have just checked it), and this is one-time payment. In comparison, Google charges $50 per year but offers a handful of advanced options.

  48. Excellent fix to sync Outlook and Google Calendar, thank you!! My Google Calendar Sync went down today; poof zap off it went, after about 6 months of having to manually click each time... I found this article and downloaded the software; the free version works on one pc; it seems each time you open up the app you have to let it offer a paid version for about 15 seconds then it loads. There are some nice features which let you tweak how and when and what to backup. Initially there seem to be some double entries but that is probably due to the settings I selected. Again, thank you!!

  49. Google Calendar Sync has stopped working this afternoon. Worked during the night...

    Now I need to find another free synchronization mode.

    Greetings from Brazil.

  50. Great article and comments! I just downloaded gSyncIt but access to Google calendars was blocked by Google because evidently gSyncIt doesn't conform to "modern security standards" (those are Google's words). Should I be worried about gSyncIt's security?

    1. Hi David,

      As Clankk reported in comment 181 below, gSyncit works fine even with 2 factor authentication setup.

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