Does Calendly work with Apple Calendar?
No, Calendly iCloud integration is no longer available for new connections.
If you've been trying to connect Calendly to iCloud Calendar, you might have run into some roadblocks. And that’s because Calendly has made a significant change to its iCloud Calendar integration. Since August 20, 2024, Calendly no longer allows new users to connect their accouunts to Apple calendar. If you already had your iCloud Calendar linked to Calendly before this date, you can keep using it as usual. However, if you're new to Calendly or hadn't set up the iCloud Calendar connection previously, you won’t get this option.
In the past, there were already some limitations to this integration. For example, Calendly couldn't connect to subscription calendars in iCloud, because they were public. However, these were manageable things for most users. Now, the complete discontinuation of new iCloud connections marks a significant change in Calendly's functionality for Apple users.
And does Calendly work with iCal?
No, you can’t really sync Calendly with Apple Calendar (formerly called iCal), because the latter is a display interface. Back in the day, if you tried to connect the two, Calendly would recommend you to connect to the underlying calendar service on Apple Calendar, like…iCloud Calendar. But that Calendly iCal integration isn't available anymore for new connections, so if you were planning to link your iCloud to a scheduling app, better to get an alternative to Calendly.
Confused with Apple’s terminology? Have a look.
iCloud Calendar is a cloud-based service that stores your calendar data on Apple's servers. It's one of many calendar sources that the Apple Calendar app can display and sync across your devices.
iCal, now called Calendar, is the actual app where you see the calendar. It comes pre-installed on all Apple devices and serves as a viewer for your calendar data. It can display calendar information from various sources, including (but not limited to) iCloud. It's actually one of the best calendar apps in the market, although it's more for Apple users.
You might also want to read: Google Calendar vs Apple Calendar
Meet Zeeg, an alternative to Calendly iCloud integration
With Calendly no longer supporting new iCloud Calendar connections, you might be looking for alternatives. One excellent option to consider is Zeeg, a complete scheduling software that offers integration with various services, one of which is Apple's iCloud Calendar.
To connect your Apple Calendar to Zeeg, follow these simple steps:
- Sign up for a Zeeg account
- Navigate to the Calendar Connections section in your Zeeg dashboard
- Select "+ iCloud account"
- Enter your iCloud email and an app-specific password (generated from your Apple ID account)
- Choose which calendars to sync for conflict checking and event adding
For more detailed information on setting up Zeeg with your iCloud Calendar, visit Zeeg's help page on Apple iCloud Calendar integration.
And why should you use Zeeg?
- First of all, unlike Calendly, Zeeg does have full iCloud Calendar integration, making it an ideal choice for Apple users. But it also integrates with many other platforms, including Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, Office 365 Calendar, Office 365 Calendar, Zoom, Google Meet, Zapier, Salesforce, Paypal, Stripe, and more.
- Also, Zeeg is made for teams and individuals: If you work solo and want a simple, easy-to-use scheduling tool, you can use Zeeg. But if you’re in a large company needing advanced scheduling, Zeeg is your solution too. You can manage your own schedule preferences, as well as your team availability and group meetings, and even do round-robin meetings.
- You’ll appreciate the Automated Workflows: Zeeg allows you to set up automated reminders and follow-ups, reducing no-shows and improving client engagement.
- Zeeg will qualify your leads with its Routing Forms. They assure that your potential clients will have screening questions, endng up in the right hands.
- And all of this while keeping your data secure, with end-to-end encryption. Besides, Zeeg is completely GDPR compliant, which could be a great benefit for companies needing to operate in Europe.
Use cases: When iCloud Calendar integration matters most
Ok, we know now that you won't be able to connect Calendly to Apple calendar. But if the removal of iCloud Calendar integration by Calendly might seem like a small change, for many users it creates significant workflow disruptions. Let's look at some scenarios where having iCloud Calendar integration is particularly important:
For freelancers using Apple devices
If you're an independent professional who relies on the Apple ecosystem, calendar integration is essential for your daily operations. Freelancers often juggle multiple clients and projects simultaneously, which makes ther scheduling system crucial to work. Without iCloud Calendar integration, you'd need to manually transfer appointments between systems or abandon your preferred calendar entirely, creating unnecessary friction in your workflow.
For instance, a freelance graphic designer who schedules client consultations through their booking page needs those appointments to appear instantly on their iPhone and MacBook. With Zeeg's iCloud integration, they can continue using their preferred Apple devices while offering clients an easy way to book their time.
For small businesses with mixed device environments
Many small businesses operate in environments where team members use different devices based on personal preference or job requirements. Designers and creative professionals often prefer Apple products, while other team members might use Windows or Android devices.
When your scheduling software doesn't support iCloud Calendar, you essentially force Apple users to adapt to different systems or create workarounds. This creates tech fragmentation within your organization, leading to missed appointments and communication breakdowns. Zeeg addresses this by supporting calendar integrations across platforms, allowing everyone to use their preferred devices and tools. It doesn't matter if you work with Apple, Google, Microsoft in terms of Calendar or video platforms, Zeeg will have everything in there.
For enterprises accommodating employee preferences
Enterprise environments increasingly embrace "bring your own device" policies, recognizing that employees work more efficiently when using familiar technology. As Apple devices become more common in professional settings, the need for software that works seamlessly with iCloud Calendar has grown.
For large organizations with hundreds or thousands of employees, forcing everyone to abandon iCloud Calendar creates significant training and change management challenges. IT departments appreciate solutions like Zeeg that accommodate diverse technology preferences without compromising security or functionality.
