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Using BusyCal with Apple Calendar

BusyCal now supports direct syncing with Apple Calendar in read-only mode for those instances where adding your account directly to BusyCal is not feasible.

This sync capability is available in BusyCal version 2024.1.2 (macOS) or later. For BusyCal on iOS, please ensure your application is updated to version 4.5.8 or higher.

✋ IMPORTANT

While BusyCal can sync with Apple Calendar, this feature is intended as a workaround rather than a primary solution. It's best used when you cannot add accounts directly to BusyCal (such as with some enterprise setups). This connection has limitations, including:

  • Read-only access - You can view but not modify events from Apple Calendar
  • No meeting response capabilities - You cannot accept/decline invites through this connection
  • Limited functionality - Many BusyCal features won't work with Apple Calendar events

How to Sync with Apple Calendar​

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Follow these simple steps to connect BusyCal with Apple's Calendar app:

  1. First, ensure your calendars are properly set up in the Apple Calendar app
  2. Open BusyCal and navigate to BusyCal > Settings > Accounts
  3. Click the "+" button to add a new account
  4. Select Apple Calendar from the options list
  5. Click Done to establish the connection

Once connected, your Apple Calendar events will appear in BusyCal as read-only entries, allowing you to view all your calendars in one place.

Why This Connection Is Read-Only​

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You might wonder why BusyCal can only sync with Apple's Calendar app in read-only mode. The reason involves technical limitations with Apple's calendar APIs.

Apple provides developers with an API called EventKit to access calendar data. However, EventKit is extremely limited and does not support many of BusyCal's advanced features, such as:

  • Scheduling meetings, managing attendees and related steps
  • Custom durations
  • Attachments & conference call integration
  • Custom alarms
  • Time-blocking across calendars
  • Smart Filters & Saved Searches
  • Travel time and time-to-leave alerts
  • Tags, custom metadata, and private fields
  • Custom views, weather, and location-based features
  • And much, much, much more. Far too many to list here.

Using EventKit would severely limit the flexibility and functionality that makes BusyCal unique. It's like building a full-featured web browser like Chrome instead of just wrapping around Apple's WebKit view—power and customization matter!

Add Accounts Directly to BusyCal​

For the best experience, we strongly recommend adding your calendar accounts (iCloud, Google, Exchange, etc.) directly to BusyCal rather than using this Apple Calendar sync option. This gives you full access to all of BusyCal's powerful features without limitations.

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