Google Calendar for Mac: Get the Most Out of Google Calendar

Google Calendar is an immensely popular scheduling tool, with a host of features that make it ideal for personal and professional use.

While Google Calendar widget for desktop doesn’t have a native macOS app, it’s easy to access and use Google Calendar on your Mac through a variety of methods that keep you organised, productive, and synced across devices.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the ways you can use Google Calendar on your Mac, including how to access it via your web browser, sync it with the Apple Calendar app, integrate with third-party apps, and customise it for optimal use.

We’ll also share some productivity tips and troubleshooting solutions to get the most out of Google Calendar on macOS.

Also Read: Sync GCal With Microsoft Outlook

Why Use Google Calendar on Mac?

Using Google Calendar on your Mac can make managing your schedule smoother and more convenient. Here are some key benefits:

Cross-Platform Access: Google Calendar works on any device, allowing you to view and edit your schedule from your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or any other connected device.
Real-Time Syncing: Any changes you make are automatically updated across all devices, so you always have the latest version of your calendar.
Integration with Google Services: Google Calendar seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Gmail, Google Meet, and Google Drive, which can be helpful for scheduling meetings, adding attachments, and collaborating.
Sharing and Collaboration: You can share your calendar with family, friends, and colleagues, making it easy to coordinate schedules and manage joint events.

How to Use Google Calendar on Mac?

Even though Google doesn’t offer a dedicated Google Calendar app for Mac, you can access Google Calendar in several ways:

Option 1: Accessing Google Calendar in a Web Browser

One of the easiest ways to use Google Calendar on your Mac is through a web browser. Here’s how to set it up:

Open your browser: Open your preferred browser (like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox) on your Mac.
Visit Google Calendar: Go to calendar.google.com and log in with your Google account.
Bookmark the Page: For quick access, bookmark Google Calendar by pressing Cmd + D and adding it to your bookmarks bar.
Create a Desktop Shortcut (Optional): If you use Google Chrome, you can create a desktop shortcut to launch Google Calendar as if it were a standalone app.
- In Chrome, click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, select More tools > Create shortcut…, and then check Open as window.

Accessing Google Calendar this way gives you full functionality, including the ability to add, edit, and delete events, manage multiple calendars, and customise notifications.

Option 2: Sync Google Calendar with Apple Calendar App

If you prefer to view Google Calendar events directly in the native macOS Calendar app, you can sync your Google Calendar with it. Here’s how to set it up:

Open System Preferences: On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Internet Accounts.
Add Google Account: Click the Google option to add your account. Sign in with your Google credentials and allow macOS access to your calendar data.
Enable Calendar Sync: Once signed in, ensure that the Calendars checkbox is selected. This will sync Google Calendar events with the Apple Calendar app.
View Google Calendar in Apple Calendar: Open the Calendar app on your Mac. You should see your Google Calendar events appear alongside any other calendars you use on Apple Calendar.

This method is great for those who like the simplicity of using Apple Calendar but want to keep Google Calendar events in sync. It also allows you to set Apple Calendar notifications for Google events and use Apple’s calendar interface.

Option 3: Using Third-Party Calendar Apps

There are several third-party calendar applications available on macOS that offer advanced features and integrate seamlessly with Google Calendar. Some popular options include:

Fantastical: Known for its beautiful design and natural language input, Fantastical is a popular choice for Mac users. It syncs with Google Calendar and offers robust features like advanced reminders, task management, and support for multiple calendar services.
BusyCal: BusyCal is another full-featured calendar app that supports Google Calendar and offers a powerful to-do list, customizable views, and a weather forecast.
Microsoft Outlook: If you already use Outlook for email, you can sync your Google Calendar with Outlook’s calendar feature on macOS.

These apps offer more customization and productivity tools than the native Apple Calendar app, and each has unique features designed to enhance the scheduling experience.

Customising and Optimising Google Calendar on Mac

Whether you access Google Calendar through a browser, Apple Calendar, or a third-party app, there are several ways to customize Google Calendar for a more efficient and organized experience.

1. Customize Notifications and Reminders

To make sure you’re always on time, adjust notification settings to receive timely reminders.

In Google Calendar (Browser): Go to Settings by clicking on the gear icon, select Event settings > Notifications, and choose the type and timing of reminders.
In Apple Calendar: Go to Calendar > Preferences > Alerts to set default reminders for events that sync from Google Calendar.

2. Use Color Coding for Easy Identification

Assign different colors to calendars or types of events to help distinguish between personal, work, and other events. In Google Calendar, click on the calendar name in the left sidebar and choose a color from the options. Apple Calendar will retain these color choices, making it easy to identify which events belong to each calendar.

3. Enable Time Zone Support

If you frequently schedule events across time zones, enable Time Zone support to keep track of accurate times.

In Google Calendar (Browser): Go to Settings > Time zone to enable time zone support and set your home time zone.
In Apple Calendar: Go to Calendar > Preferences > Advanced and enable Turn on time zone support.

4. Add Google Meet or Zoom Links

Google Calendar makes it easy to add video conferencing links to your events:

Creating Events with Google Meet Links: When creating an event, select Add Google Meet video conferencing to automatically generate a meeting link.
Adding Zoom Links: Use the Zoom for Google Calendar add-on to schedule and automatically include Zoom links in your calendar events.

5. Set Up Recurring Events

For events that occur regularly, such as weekly meetings or monthly reminders, use the recurring event feature in Google Calendar.

In Google Calendar: When creating an event, select Does not repeat and choose a repeat frequency (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
In Apple Calendar: When adding a new event, choose Repeat and set the frequency for your recurring event.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Google Calendar on Mac

Here are solutions to a few common problems Mac users face with Google Calendar:

1. Events Not Syncing Properly

If events aren’t syncing between Google Calendar and Apple Calendar:

Ensure you’re connected to the internet.
Go to System Preferences > Internet Accounts, select your Google account, and make sure Calendar is enabled.
On iCloud settings, make sure Google Calendar isn’t disabled by accident.

2. Google Calendar Not Showing in Apple Calendar

If your Google Calendar events aren’t visible:

Refresh your calendar by going to Calendar > Preferences > Accounts and selecting your Google account.
Visit calendar.google.com/syncselect to ensure the calendars you want to sync are selected.

3. Duplicated Events

If events appear multiple times:

Check that Google Calendar isn’t connected multiple times on your Mac or in other calendar apps.
Consider turning off any additional calendar sources in the Calendar app.

Conclusion

Using Google Calendar on your Mac offers flexibility and access to a robust set of scheduling features.

Whether you prefer to use it through a browser, integrate it into Apple Calendar, or use a third-party app, there are plenty of ways to make Google Calendar a seamless part of your daily workflow.

By customizing notifications, setting up recurring events, and taking advantage of productivity tips, you can ensure that your calendar is always in sync, accessible, and tailored to your needs.

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