How to Subscribe and Sync Google Calendar with URL in 2025: Complete Guide

Master Google Calendar subscriptions on web, Android & iPhone. Add calendar feeds, fix sync issues, and automate updates with our step-by-step tutorial.

📋 Table of Contents

Google Calendar subscriptions allow you to automatically sync external calendars using URL feeds. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about adding in 2025, including step-by-step instructions for web, Android, and iPhone users.

🖥️ How to Subscribe to a Calendar on Google Calendar (Web/Desktop)

Adding a calendar subscription via URL on Google Calendar's web interface is the most straightforward method. Follow these detailed steps:

  1. Open Google Calendar: Navigate to Google Calendar in your web browser and ensure you're signed into your Google account.
  2. Access the subscription feature: On the left sidebar, locate "Other calendars" section and click the "+" button next to it, then select "From URL".
    3. Google Calendar From URL option - Step 2 of adding calendar subscription
  3. Add your calendar URL: Paste your complete Sync2Cal calendar URL (must be in ICS format) into the input field. Ensure the URL is correct and starts with "https://".
  4. Subscribe to calendar: Click the "Add calendar" button to complete the subscription process.
  5. Verify subscription: The subscribed calendar will appear under "Other calendars" section and will automatically sync new events within a few hours.
✅ Pro Tip: After adding the subscription, you can customize the calendar's color and visibility by clicking the three dots next to the calendar name in the "Other calendars" section.

📱 How to Add a Calendar Subscription to Google Calendar on Android

On Android devices, Google Calendar subscriptions added via the web interface automatically sync to your mobile app. However, you may need to enable synchronization:

  1. Open Google Calendar app on your Android device
  2. Access settings: Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) and select "Settings"
  3. Find your calendar: If the subscribed calendar doesn't appear, tap "Show more" to reveal additional calendars
  4. Enable synchronization: Locate your subscribed calendar and ensure the "Sync" toggle is enabled
  5. Refresh the app: Pull down on the calendar view to force a refresh and load recent events
⚠️ Android Note: Calendar subscriptions must be added through the web interface first. The Android app doesn't support adding new URL subscriptions directly.

🍎 Add a Calendar Subscription on iPhone (Google Account)

For iPhone users accessing Google Calendar through the Gmail app or Google Calendar app, the process is seamless:

📱 iPhone Setup Instructions:

  1. Use the desktop method: Add your calendar subscription using the web interface instructions above
  2. Open Google Calendar app: Launch the Google Calendar or Gmail app on your iPhone
  3. Sign in to your account: Ensure you're logged into the same Google account
  4. Wait for sync: Subscribed calendars will automatically appear and sync across all your devices

Cross-device synchronization ensures that any calendar subscription added to your Google account will be available on all your devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android, and desktop.

🛠️ Google Calendar Subscription Troubleshooting Guide

Having issues with your Google Calendar sync? Here are solutions to common problems:

🔄 Calendar Not Updating?

  • Wait time: Google Calendar subscriptions can take 4-24 hours to sync new events
  • Manual refresh: Try refreshing your browser or pulling down in the mobile app
  • Check source: Verify that the original calendar (Sync2Cal) has been updated

🔗 Invalid URL Issues?

  • Format check: Ensure your URL is a valid ICS calendar feed from Sync2Cal
  • HTTPS requirement: URL must start with "https://" not "http://"
  • Copy/paste carefully: Avoid extra spaces or characters when pasting the URL

👁️ Calendar Not Visible?

  • Check "Other calendars": Look under the "Other calendars" section in the left sidebar
  • Visibility settings: Click the calendar name to toggle visibility on/off
  • Color coding: Calendar events might be using a color similar to your background
💌 Still Having Issues? Our support team is here to help! Contact us at hello@sync2cal.com with your calendar URL and a description of the problem you're experiencing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How often do Google Calendar subscriptions update?

Google Calendar typically updates subscribed calendars every 4-24 hours. The exact timing depends on Google's servers and cannot be manually controlled.

Can I edit events in a subscribed calendar?

No, subscribed calendars are read-only. You cannot edit, add, or delete events in a calendar subscription. Changes must be made in the original source (Sync2Cal).

What's the difference between adding by URL vs importing?

Adding by URL creates a live subscription that automatically updates. Importing creates a one-time copy that won't receive future updates.

How do I unsubscribe from a calendar?

In the "Other calendars" section, click the three dots next to the subscribed calendar and select "Remove from calendar" or "Unsubscribe".

🚀 Ready to Sync Your Calendars?

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🍎 Apple Calendar Setup

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For comprehensive calendar integration guides and tutorials, explore our help center.

Last updated: June 19, 2025 | Reading time: 8 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner