Switch from another calendar

Google Calendar

On the computer in the browser

1. Open calendar.google.com and sign in.
2. Click on the gear in the top right and select Settings.
3. On the left, select Import and export.
4. Under “Export”, click Export.

You receive a ZIP file. Extract it to find a separate .ics file for each calendar, ready to import individually.

The export is only available on the computer, not in the mobile app.

Current official instructions from Google – For work or school accounts, administrators can restrict exporting.

Outlook

On the computer, classic Outlook application

1. At the bottom left, switch to Calendar view.
2. In the folder list, select the calendar you want to move.
3. Go to File → Save Calendar.
4. Click on More options and set:
   • Date range: Whole calendar
   • Level of detail: Full details
5. Save in format iCalendar (.ics).

Step 4 is crucial: The default is a narrow time period and only availability information. Without the change, the file will neither contain your appointment titles nor any entries further back or ahead. Repeat the process for each calendar.

Current official instructions from Microsoft. Microsoft describes the export as a snapshot; later changes are not automatically applied.

Outlook in the browser

outlook.com and Microsoft 365

The web interface does not offer an equally direct export. Two paths lead to the goal:

1. If you have access to the Outlook application on a computer, use the method above: it provides the most complete data.
2. Otherwise, open Settings → Calendar → Shared calendars. Under “Publish calendar”, select the required calendar, allow All details and download the generated .ics URL.

The second way creates a publication address. After downloading, unpublish it – otherwise your calendar will remain available at this address.

Official Microsoft help on publishing a calendar and its ICS address.

Apple Calendar

On Mac

1. Open the Calendar app.
2. Select the calendar you want from the calendar list on the left.
3. Choose File → Save Calendar → Export….
4. Save the .ics file. Repeat for each calendar.

The Calendar app on iPhone and iPad has no equivalent “File → Export” menu. Apple’s official alternatives are exporting on a Mac or downloading an individual iCloud calendar through iCloud.com after temporarily sharing it publicly. With the latter option, anyone with the link can read the calendar; stop sharing it immediately after downloading.

Official Apple guide for Mac · Apple instructions for downloading via iCloud.com

Import into Private Calendar

Create the target calendars first, so you can select the right one when importing each file. The free plan includes two calendars of your own; Premium’s limits are listed under Pricing.

In the browser

1. Open Settings and choose Import & Export … → Import iCalendar
2. Select the file and then the target calendar.
3. Repeat this for each additional file.

Import in the Android or iPhone app

1. Open in the Android or iPhone app Settings → Import & Export.
2. Then tap Import iCal file and select the file.

Events are encrypted on your device before uploading for synchronization. Imports also send only ciphertext to the server. To check this yourself, see Check encryption.