How to Sync Outlook Calendar with iPhone - Step-by-Step Guide
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Sync Outlook with iPhone for free
Let's learn how to sync Outlook Calendar with iPhone, highlighting all the apps you can use to make it possible, troubleshoot any issues, and provide alternative solutions.
How to sync Outlook Calendar with iPhone through the Outlook Calendar app
The easiest way to sync an Outlook Calendar with your iPhone is to use the official Microsoft Outlook app on iOS. As an iPhone user, you can download Outlook from the App Store and use it to sync your Outlook calendar with your iPhone.
- If you haven't already downloaded Outlook on your iPhone, head over to the App Store and search “Outlook”. After finding the official “Microsoft Outlook” app, download it.
- After downloading Microsoft Outlook on your iPhone, sign in using your Microsoft Account credentials. Generally, all you need to do is enter your email and password, and you're all set.
- You're done, your Outlook Calendar is synced with your iPhone. You can now use the Outlook app on your iPhone to view all your Outlook events and seamlessly sync for any updates or new events.
Prefer Video? Here is how to sync your Outlook Calendar with iPhone by using the Microsoft Outlook app on iOS:
How to sync your Outlook Calendar with iPhone through the iPhone Calendar app
If you don't want to sync your Outlook Calendar with your iPhone using the Outlook App on your iPhone, the alternative is to use the default Calendar app on your iPhone. The Calendar app comes pre-installed on all iOS devices and has support for Outlook.
- Open the settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll until you reach the bottom of the page and tap “Apps”
- Find the “Mail” app and tap it. You can also use the search box to find the “Mail” app.
- Tap under “Mail Accounts”
- Tap “Add Account”
- After tapping “Add Accounts”, you're taken to another screen that lists the available Mail providers you can connect to. Tap “Outlook.com” and follow the instructions to connect your Outlook account. Generally, all you have to do is enter your email and password.
- After you connect your Outlook account, make sure to enable the Calendar Sync, so your Calendar app keeps the Outlook calendars in that account in sync with your iPhone.
- Open your Calendar app and tap under “Calendars”. Your Outlook account should be listed there. Make sure the Outlook calendar you want to sync with your iPhone is checked; otherwise, you won't be able to see the Outlook events on the iPhone Calendar app.
After following these steps, you should be able to see your Outlook calendar events from your iPhone. The iPhone Calendar app should also seamlessly sync with your Outlook Calendar.
Prefer Video? Here is how to sync your Outlook Calendar with iPhone by using the built-in iOS Calendar app:
Note: The iOS version used for the steps above is 18.6. If you're having issues finding the “Mail” settings, please type “Mail” in the Settings search box. Older iOS versions have the “Mail” settings under Settings > General.
What are the differences between syncing Outlook with iPhone using the built-in iPhone Calendar app and using the Outlook App on iPhone?
| Topic | iPhone Calendar app (built-in) | Outlook app on iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Support for ICS / webcal subscriptions | Yes | No, you need to use the Outlook web or desktop app |
| Support for Shared or delegated calendars | Basic viewing/editing. Managing permissions is done in Outlook on the web/desktop. | Yes. You can manage details in Outlook on the web/desktop. |
| See coworkers' free/busy availability | No | Yes |
| Add online meeting links (Teams/Zoom etc.) | No. You can paste a link manually. | Yes, built-in support |
| Outlook category colors | No. Outlook categories don't show. Events use one color per calendar. | Yes |
| IT / admin controls (work phones) | Managed at the device level (MDM). No app-level policies specific to Calendar. | Supports Intune App Protection like app-level policies, selective wipe, control over saving to native apps. |
| Update speed | Direct server sync, changes usually show quickly. ICS subscriptions refresh on a schedule (not real-time). | Cloud-mediated sync designed for near-real-time updates for Microsoft 365 data. ICS added on the web can lag (24+ hours). |
| Good for | Simple, native iOS experience, quick setup, subscribing to .ics feeds. | Microsoft 365 features on the go: Scheduling Assistant, Teams links, categories, and enterprise controls. |
How to sync Outlook Calendar with iPhone through iCloud Calendar
Another way of syncing Outlook Calendar with your iPhone is to use a calendar synchronization app that integrates with Outlook and iCloud, and is able to keep them in sync in both directions.
Using a calendar synchronization app, you can sync your Outlook Calendar with your iPhone's iCloud Calendar automatically, so calendar entries in Outlook are duplicated in your iCloud Calendar. This way, when you open the default Calendar app on your iPhone, you'll be able to see your Outlook events.
This method is also great because it's device-agnostic. Every device you've connected your iCloud Calendar to will have the Outlook events. For example, if you use a Mac laptop for work, you'll be able to see all your calendar events in your Mac Calendar app, including the Outlook events.
Our recommended calendar synchronization app is OneCal, due to its support of Outlook and iCloud Calendar, real-time calendar synchronization, and outstanding reliability.
I synced my Outlook Calendar with my iPhone, but it has stopped syncing. What do I do?
Even though you might have connected your Outlook Calendar to the default iPhone Calendar app or Outlook Calendar app, Outlook Calendar can sometimes stop syncing with your iPhone. Here are the most common troubleshooting steps that should fix most syncing issues:
- Toggle the Calendar off and on for your Outlook account
- Force-quit and reopen Calendar or Outlook
- Ensure the calendar you want is checked in the Calendars list. This is a very common fix, as a lot of users uncheck the Outlook calendar within the Calendars list, and they're no longer able to see Outlook events in the calendar app.
- Update iOS and the Outlook app to the latest version. Sometimes outdated software can misbehave or have bugs, it's best to use the latest version of Outlook or Calendar app for the best experience.
- Verify you still have permission to any shared calendars (if the Outlook calendar that's no longer syncing is shared)
- Check Low Power Mode and Background App Refresh settings so apps can sync in the background
- Re-add the Outlook account on iPhone or sign out/in of the Outlook app. If you've followed all the steps above and your Outlook Calendar is still not syncing with your iPhone, make sure to re-add the Outlook account, so you start with a fresh connection.
Please read our troubleshooting guide on how to fix an Outlook Calendar that's not syncing to learn more about the concrete steps to fix the issue, including for iPhone.
FAQ
Which option should I choose to sync my Outlook Calendar with my iPhone?
Use the iPhone Calendar app if you want a simple, native iOS experience or need to subscribe to .ics feeds. Use the Outlook app if you rely on Microsoft 365 features like Scheduling Assistant, Teams meeting toggles, category colors, and enterprise controls. Use a calendar synchronization app if you want all your calendars aggregated into one, so you don't need to separately connect them across all devices.`
I can't find the Mail settings on my iPhone. What should I do?
On iOS 18.6, Mail is under Settings > Apps. If you still can't find it, search for “Mail” in Settings. On some older iOS versions, Mail settings appear in a different place. Please use the search functionality within the “Settings” app to find Mail.
Will changes sync both ways?
Yes. When you add the Outlook account (or use the Outlook app), edits you make on the iPhone and in Outlook sync both ways. Note that .ics/webcal subscriptions are read-only, you can't edit those events from your iPhone.
Can the Outlook iPhone app subscribe to an .ics/webcal calendar?
Not directly inside the mobile app. Add the .ics subscription in Outlook on the web or desktop first. The subscribed calendar will then appear in the mobile app.
Can I subscribe to an .ics calendar in the iPhone Calendar app?
Yes. The native Calendar app supports adding subscribed .ics calendars directly on the iPhone.
Can I sync Outlook events into iCloud so they show everywhere I use iCloud?
Account-based setup displays Outlook events but does not copy them into iCloud. If you specifically want Outlook events duplicated into iCloud (so they appear in all Apple apps and devices as iCloud items), use a calendar sync tool that supports Outlook and iCloud two-way sync.
Do Outlook category colors show up on iPhone?
In the iPhone Calendar app, events use one color per calendar and won't reflect Outlook category colors. In the Outlook app, category colors you set in Outlook are shown.
Can I add Teams or Zoom links from my iPhone?
The Outlook app has a toggle to add a Teams meeting and supports third-party add-ins (like Zoom). In the iPhone Calendar app, you can paste an online meeting link into the event notes/location, but there's no built-in Teams toggle.