Why isn't my Outlook, iCloud or Google Workspace calendar syncing with TidyCal?

If your calendar isn't syncing with TidyCal, the account usually needs reconnecting or more permissions. Here is how to connect Outlook, iCloud and Workspace.

Prerequisites

• A calendar account with Google, Microsoft 365 / Outlook or Apple iCloud.
• For iCloud, an app-specific password (see below). Your normal Apple ID password will not work.
• Room in your plan's limit for calendars with Reading enabled: Free Plan 1, Individual Lifetime 10, Agency Lifetime 10 (25 if purchased before September 1, 2026), Pro unlimited.

You can connect several accounts, and several calendars per account. Every calendar with Reading enabled is checked for conflicts — see Why aren't my calendar events blocking my availability in TidyCal?

Connect a Calendar Account

1. In the sidebar, click Integrations. The Calendars tab opens first.
2. Click Add Google account, Add Microsoft 365 account or Add Apple account.
3. Sign in and approve access. You return to TidyCal, and the account appears under Connected accounts with its calendars listed.
4. Turn on Reading enabled for each calendar TidyCal should check for conflicts.
5. Click Set primary on the calendar that should receive your TidyCal bookings. It then shows the Primary Calendar badge and "Your bookings will be added to this calendar".

What TidyCal does with the access you grant: it reads the times of your events so it can avoid double bookings, and it adds your TidyCal bookings to the calendar you set as primary. TidyCal never shares your calendar with anyone else.

Microsoft 365 and Outlook

1. Go to Integrations → Calendars and click Add Microsoft 365 account.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
3. Microsoft asks you to allow TidyCal to sign you in, read your profile, read your mailbox settings and have full access to your calendars. TidyCal needs calendar access to read busy times and to add bookings. Approve to continue.
4. Back in TidyCal, turn on Reading enabled for the calendars you want checked, and click Set primary on the one that should receive bookings.

Work or school accounts: if your organisation restricts which apps can be approved, Microsoft asks for admin approval instead of completing the connection. Your IT administrator can approve TidyCal for your account.

You can review or remove TidyCal's access at any time in your Microsoft account privacy settings, under the apps and services that can access your data.

Apple iCloud

Apple requires an app-specific password for apps like TidyCal.

1. Sign in to your Apple ID account and create an app-specific password. Apple explains the steps in Sign in to apps with your Apple Account using app-specific passwords. Copy the password.
2. In TidyCal, go to Integrations → Calendars and click Add Apple account.
3. Enter your Apple ID and paste the App-specific password.
4. Click Add account. Your iCloud calendars appear under Connected accounts.
5. Turn on Reading enabled for the calendars you want checked, and click Set primary if bookings should be added to an iCloud calendar.

How often iCloud is checked: Apple does not notify TidyCal when something changes, so TidyCal checks your iCloud calendars while you or a booker are using TidyCal (at most once every two minutes), and at least once an hour otherwise. You can also open the calendar and click Resync at any time.

Google Workspace

1. Go to Integrations → Calendars and click Add Google account.
2. Sign in with your Google Workspace account and allow access to your calendars.
3. Turn on Reading enabled for the calendars you want checked, and click Set primary on the one that should receive bookings.

Your TidyCal login email does not have to match your Google Workspace address — the connection is made through Google sign-in, not by matching addresses.

If your organisation restricts third-party apps, your Google Workspace administrator may need to allow TidyCal before the connection works.

Google Meet links: to have Meet links created automatically, the booking type must use a calendar on a Google account — either the calendar pinned to that booking type, or your primary calendar. See Google Meet Integration.

Shared and View-Only Calendars

Calendars that are shared with you, and calendars you subscribe to, are imported along with your own. You can turn Reading enabled on for them so their events block your availability.

A calendar you cannot edit shows View-only instead of Set primary, because TidyCal cannot add bookings to it. If you try to use one for bookings, TidyCal explains that the calendar is shared with you as view-only and asks you to get edit access or choose a calendar you own.

Troubleshooting

The account shows "Please Reconnect"

• The provider stopped accepting TidyCal's access, usually after a password change or a revoked permission. Its calendars are hidden and nothing syncs until you reconnect.
• Click Please Reconnect and sign in again. TidyCal also emails you when this happens, so add service@tidycal.com to your contacts.
• Events from a disconnected account keep blocking your availability for 30 days, then stop.

Microsoft says my administrator has to approve TidyCal

• Your organisation only allows approved apps. Ask your IT administrator to approve TidyCal, then connect again.

My Apple account won't connect

• Use an app-specific password, not your Apple ID password.
• Generate a fresh one and paste it without spaces.
• Check the Apple ID you entered is the one your iCloud calendars belong to.

The account connected but no calendars are listed

• Open Integrations → Calendars again after a minute — the first calendar list arrives shortly after connecting.
• If it stays empty, disconnect the account and connect it again, approving every permission you are asked for.
• Still empty? Email support@tidycal.com with the provider and the account address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my TidyCal email have to match my calendar email?

No. You connect a calendar by signing in to that provider, so the addresses can be different.

Does TidyCal share my calendar with anyone?

No. TidyCal reads the times of your events to avoid double bookings and adds your bookings to your primary calendar. Nothing is shared with other people.

Which calendar providers can I connect?

Google, Microsoft 365 / Outlook and Apple iCloud. You can connect more than one account, up to your plan's limit for calendars with Reading enabled.

What does 2-way sync mean?

TidyCal reads your calendar so busy times block your availability, and writes your TidyCal bookings to your primary calendar. Changes you make to a booking in TidyCal are reflected on the calendar too.

Connect Your Calendar in TidyCal

➜ Open Integrations → Calendars to add an account, turn Reading on or off, and set your primary calendar.