Help Using Google Calendar on Android

This article applies to running the stock Google Calendar App on an Android device. Some Android devices come with a preinstalled calendar that is proprietary to the device manufacture, such as some Samsung devices. This article does not applied to proprietary calendar apps, only the official Google calendar app.

Google announced late in 2012 "The Stock Google Calendar App Is Now Available In The Play Store For Everyone To Enjoy, Android 4.0.3 and Up." If your phone comes with a manufacturer supplied calendar you have the option of downloading, for free, the official Google calendar app. It works on most devices running Android OS 4.0.3 and newer.

Q: Which calendar is visible in the calendar widget?

A: The Google calendar that appears on the Android calendar widget is that which is associated with the Google account tied to the phone. Also, any events from other calendars that are shared to the account are visible. Calendars cannot be added via the Calendar widget. It is merely a front-end for the Google account or accounts registered to the phone.

Q: Can I see other calendars from within the calendar widget such as those a friend might share with me?

A: Any "friends" or other calendars shared to that account will have events visible on the calendar widget. Google uses the term "friends" even though these could be any other calendar, including a calendar from another Google account that you own. All shared calendars tied to your google account are visible by default. You can select which calendars to "hide" or "show" from within the calendar widget settings.

Q: How can I force a calendar to sync?

A: From your Android device goto Settings -> Accounts -> Google -> and click on your primary google account. From this screen you can control what parts of your google account are being synced. The list typically includes: App Data, Calendar, Chrome, Contacts, Drive, Gmail and more. Make sure "calendar" is checked. To force it to sync right now, uncheck calendar and then check it again. This will force an immediate sync. You must have either WiFi or Data enabled.

Q: How do I add another calendar's shared events to my calendar widget?

A: Shared calendars cannot be managed by the calendar widget. Although you could register additional google account's to the android device, it is not necessary if all you wish to see are those other calendar events. From a PC, log into the google account and access the web calendar. Then choose "Other calendars" and "add a friends calendar" to add events from other calendars. These will appear under the calendar widget on the Android phone too once synced.

Q: I've added a "friend's" shared calendar to my google account calendar, why won't it show up in the Calendar widget "Calendars to display" list?

A: #1 This this first. From any Calendar screen, touch Menu -> Calendars to display. A list of calendars that are synced with your phone appears. If a new shared calendar has recently been added to your google account, it may not be showing immediately on your android.

A: #2 Try this second. If it is still not showing, try logging into your google account from a PC. Is the "friend's calender" (keeping in mind that this is a metonym for any secondary shared calendar you have added) visible in the list? Are events from that calendar. Removing the shared calendar and re-adding it will usually cause the events that are not showing up to become visible creating a sync within the google api. Both the calendar must appear in the list on the left and events from that calendar must appear on the calendar itself when viewing the web interface before you can hope to see them from the Android app.

A: #3 Try this next. First turn off "Sync" then go to the Android Settings -> Application Manager (under Device) -> ALL (by scrolling right) -> and click on Calendar. Click the "Force stop" button then click the "Clear data" button. Now enable both "Sync" and "Mobile Data" on your device, even if you normally use WiFi. Now force the calendar to sync if needed as explained in a previous question. Furthermore, go back in the "Calendars to display" screen. In a test we seen that the previously absent from the list calendar now appeared in the list, however, the visible check box was unchecked. See answer #1 in this section.

Q: On the web interface, what is the difference between "My Calendars" and "Other Calendars" as both lists contain secondary or so called "friend's calendars" that I have added?

A: "My Calendars" are calendars that you've created or have the ability to edit, those to which you have permission to Make changes AND manage sharing. "Other calendars" include any calendar you have added in which you have only the ability to view events, or edit a particular event. You cannot create events or manage sharing. Both public and shared calendars will appear in this list.

Q: What is the difference between the Calendar app that came with my phone, that app's widget, and the official Google Calendar app available in Google Play store?

A: An example of the calendar app that comes with your Android is the Calendar Build version 4.2.13 which comes with many LG phones running Kitkat 4.4.2. This app appears under the Apps list as "Calendar" and which opened provides the ability to hide calendars, make calendars visible, sync, and access google account settings. You get more options than you would from within the widget counterpart of this app. So, for more control, access the settings from the full app and not the settings from the widget. If you download and install the official Google Calendar app from the Google Play store you will get the latest official release of the calendar without having to update the entire device Android OS version. Google admits there are some compatibility issues. Testing it out on an HTC the Month and Agenda views work fine, Week and Day views appear empty even though they're not.