User profile for user: roryduffy27
roryduffy27 Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

iCloud calendar not updating in Google

Hi


I have recently started using a different iCloud e-mail address. With my previous one, I had it linked to a corresponding Google account, so that whenever I added events into Mac Calendar, they would sync through to my Google calendar. This was so I could publish my calendar on a website.


I have tried to replicate what I had before, using my new iCloud e-mail address.


I followed these steps:

  1. Open Mac Calendar
  2. Click the little person icon next to each calendar (e.g., "Enquiry")
  3. Ensure that "Public Calendar" is ticked
  4. Next to where it says "URL:" select the URL and Edit > Copy (or command-C)
  5. Open Safari
  6. Go to calendar.google.com
  7. Ensure that I am logged in as the corresponding Google account where I want my calendar to appear
  8. On the left-hand column, where it says "Other calendars", click "+" to add a new calendar
  9. From URL
  10. Edit > Paste (or command-V) to paste the URL into here


The initial setup appears to work fine, but when I enter a new event on Mac Calendar, or change the title of an event, or delete an event, the change fails to sync through to Google - even after 12 hours.


I have 6 sub-calendars set up under my iCloud e-mail account, named "Enquiry", "Dead", "Confirmed", "Contracted", "Cancelled", "Postponed", each of which I am trying to push events through to Google.


I have set each of the 6 calendars up in exactly the same way using the steps above.


Have I set something up incorrectly? Is there anything else I could try? I am doing this all on a MacBook (laptop), not on my phone.


Thanks


Rory

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 1:17 AM

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User profile for user: roryduffy27
roryduffy27 Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Oct 11, 2023 3:47 AM in response to roryduffy27

The 4th test event finally appeared on Google side at 11:30.


So, apparently, it can take 12-24 hours for events to push from iCloud through to Google.


My solution:

I have set up those 6 sub-calendars in my Google account instead. And then incorporated my Google account (Calendars element) within Calendars > Accounts.


iCloud doesn't have an embed feature. Furthermore, iCloud takes 12-24 to integrate with Google.


Google does have an embed feature.


This makes iCloud calendars somewhat redundant for my needs. I have decided to use Google for my calendars as it embeds onto a website, yet still has the capacity to be incorporated within the Mac Calendars interface.


This way, I can have BOTH instant updates AND embedding onto a website - best of both worlds.


For anyone still using iCloud calendars: the result is that it has worked, but the 12-24 propagation gap is something to consider seriously.

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User profile for user: roryduffy27
roryduffy27 Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Oct 14, 2023 3:07 AM in response to doneill76

Hi @doneill76


From this week's experience and testing, I have concluded that the events added or changed on either iCloud Calendar or the iCalendar app DO get added or changed in my Google Calendar - just that it takes 12-24 hours.


When I set it up originally and it wasn't pushing, I assumed that either I'd set it up incorrectly or that it wasn't updating.


So, I would say that there are 2 possible fixes/solutions:


  1. Set it up as per my above instructions and accept that there will be a 12-24 hour delay. Consider how critical this might be to your business/operations.
  2. Ditch iCloud calendars and use Google calendars instead. Google calendars integrate perfectly within Apple Calendars app; simply turn off "Calendars" in the corresponding iCloud account (to save confusion) and use Google instead.


I went for the 2nd fix, because for me, the 12-24 hour delay caused frustration/anxiety.


I am happy with my solution, as it doesn't feel very different; it's only that I have switched off Calendars in my iCloud account and I am using Google to fulfil that job.


Perhaps, in future, Apple might (re-!)introduce the ability to embed a calendar in HTML. In which case, I would consider using iCloud again for my calendars.


However, since it's important my clients can check my availability in realtime, Apple doesn't provide this functionality, which is surprising, but also completely understandable if Google does this anyway.


Thanks!

Rory

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User profile for user: roryduffy27
roryduffy27 Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Oct 11, 2023 4:32 AM in response to roryduffy27

OK, I ran into 2 problems (both resolved) when embedding my Google calendar, and I just wanted to document in here how I resolved these in case anyone else experiences similar, or is down a similar rabbit hole.


  1. Colours

The colours in the embedded calendar did not match the colours that I had set for the sub-calendars (i.e., "Enquiry"=Red, "Dead"=Orange, "Confirmed"=Yellow, "Contracted"=Green, "Cancelled"=Blue, "Postponed"=Purple)

They were all coming out dark blue, or random colours.

This is because when you embed the calendar, for each sub-calendar, you have to specify the sub-calendar colour at the point of embed>customise IN ADDITION TO within calendars.google.com itself

So, at embed > Customise stage:

Scroll down to the bottom left. Next to each calendar, click the 3 dots, and you will be presented with a palette of colours. Ensure each sub-calendar is set to a colour that is not the bottom left of the colour palette. For some reason, it 'defaults' to a colour, and you must configure it separately within the respective sub-calendar at embed>customise stage.


2. Error 103

iframe: google calendar error 403 (no access) for some users / log-in screen

In Safari, go to Safari > Settings... > Privacy and ensure that "Prevent cross-site tracking" is UNTICKED.

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User profile for user: roryduffy27
roryduffy27 Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Oct 10, 2023 8:37 AM in response to roryduffy27

I have found a temporary workaround. If I remove the calendar in calendars.google.com and set it up again, it pulls through any new events.


However, this seems a little arbitrary.


What I have concluded is:


1/ Initial setup has worked correctly.


2/ Despite this, calendars are not updating - and there is some question around how long it takes for any changes on iCloud side to show up in Google.


I have set up 6 test events for each of the sub-calendars on iCloud side at 16:30 on 10th October. I'm going to leave it and see how long they take to appear on Google side.

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User profile for user: doneill76
doneill76
User level: Level 1
17 points

Oct 13, 2023 10:22 PM in response to roryduffy27

Hello Rory. I wish that I had done a search on this site before starting a new thread of my one own on this subject.


I'm having the same issue. Events added or changed on either iCloud Calendar or the iCalendar app do NOT get added or changed in my Google Calendar. But the same in reverse DOES work; except for iCloud Calender because I don't believe that you can link non-Apple accounts. But those added and changed events FROM Google Calendar TO the iCalendar app on my iPhone DOES work.


It's strange because I don't remember this being an issue before. Then again I really wasn't looking for it until recently when I noticed this problem.


Unfortunately, when I did search "Apple Calendar not syncing to Google Calendar" on this site there didn't seem to be any solution. I will say that I gave up searching and reading after 7 or 8 pages.


I will say that I glad that this issue doesn't seem to have a "fix" because now I know that it isn't something that I did when setting it up. In fact I re-did the whole process a few times (copy/paste the url of each of my Apple calendars into Google Calendar) without any change in the result.


I'm not very tech-savvy beyond general use, maybe a little bit beyond. But not enough for something like this issue to instinctual. It does seem to be a feature that many people who use both Calendar's would like to see work a little more smoothly with the ability to have added and changed events sync both ways from one platform to the other.


Maybe this will change..................?


If you find a solution, please fill me/us in.



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User profile for user: roryduffy27
roryduffy27 Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Oct 14, 2023 3:09 AM in response to cibe7324

Hi @cibe7324


I ran into this issue when I was on a coach. When I accidentally deleted my Gmail account from iPhone calendars, and tried to re-add it, it reported "no internet connection".


However, I left it 'set up' and later, when I arrived home, and had internet again, the Gmail account reappeared in iPhone calendars.


So, it must be just a refresh issue.


Cheers

Rory

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User profile for user: doneill76
doneill76
User level: Level 1
17 points

Oct 14, 2023 6:50 AM in response to roryduffy27

Hi Rory,


The second solution that you mentioned makes sense. Waiting 12-24 hours for the additions/changes to be pushed to Google Calendar is obviously not the most practical. But I will say that it is something that drives me crazy in a funny sort of way that it doesn’t work smoothly. And I’m actually pretty surprised since the folks at Apple are so innovative and “on point” usually.


The problem that I personally have is that in the future I would like to ditch my Windows laptop and purchase a MacBook. Then I would just use the calendar app on the MacBook and have everything synced together; mail/photos/contacts/and calendar on my iPhone, MacBook, and it needing accessible via iCloud (if I’m on another computer). The small problem being that all of my info regarding previous dates and events would still be on the Google Calendar. Not that it’s a big deal, just annoying. Hope that makes sense.


BUT for now, your solution will probably be the way that I go. A 12-24 wait is not practical. BTW I’m still waiting for my “TEST” to makes its way from Apple Cal to Google Cal.


One thing that I mentioned in the thread that I created not mentioned here, is that anything that is created on the Apple Calendars which were included when pasting the URL is NOT able to be edited via Google Calendar. For example, when on the Google platform I cannot delete or edit an event that I originally created on one of my Apple Calendars. Have you found this to be true as well?


Daniel

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User profile for user: doneill76
doneill76
User level: Level 1
17 points

Oct 14, 2023 9:43 AM in response to doneill76

I just finished up a chat with Google tech support. And the conclusion that we came to is that there doesn't seem to be a true solution to this issue. He stated that "To be honest with you, there is a long history of incompatible between iOs and Google Apps."


What's strange to me is that this is an Apple Discussion Community, and there doesn't seem to be anyone from Apple who monitors these discussions. Or if there is, they don't seem interested enough to interject "hello, I'm (fill in the blank) from Apple. We are aware of this issue, and here is a solution........or there isn't a solution currently." I'm thinking that it's the first option, that they don't actually do any monitoring here. Because when I called and spoke with an Apple tech person she was clueless that there was an issue in the first place. But, then again, it's not reasonable to think that they haven't had other people call with the same problem asking for help.


Anyway, thank you for your posted thread. As I mentioned, it at least gives me some sort of peace of mind to know that I'm not the only one experiencing this.


Have a great day!


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iCloud calendar not updating in Google

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