Importing, subscribing, or syncing a calendar: which should I use?

Import a calendar file when you want a one-time copy. Subscribe to a calendar link, or connect your account through Sync2Cal, when you want future schedule changes to reach your calendar automatically.

The difference is how you add it, not just whether the address or filename ends in .ics.

What happens when I import an ICS file?

An ICS file contains event information that calendar apps can read. Importing a downloaded file copies those events into the calendar you choose. It does not establish an ongoing connection to the original schedule.

If the organizer later changes a time or cancels an event, that change is not automatically applied to your imported copy. Importing another copy can also leave duplicate or outdated events, depending on the app and file.

Use an import for a snapshot you intend to manage yourself. If you already imported into your personal calendar, check which events came from the file before deleting anything.

What happens when I subscribe to a calendar link?

A subscription keeps a connection to an online calendar feed. Your app checks the link for changes, so you do not need to download and import a fresh file each time. The subscribed calendar is generally read-only: changes come from its publisher.

The app or calendar service decides when to fetch the next update. A subscription is automatic, but it is not necessarily immediate. See how calendar updates reach your app.

What does connecting my account to Sync2Cal do?

For Google Calendar and Outlook, Sync2Cal also offers a direct account connection, called push sync. You authorize access on Google's or Microsoft's sign-in screen, and Sync2Cal creates and updates a separate calendar in that account.

This is the recommended Sync2Cal method for Google and Outlook. Apple Calendar uses a subscription link. If you prefer the link method in Google or Outlook, that option is available too. These methods deliver the schedules you follow; they do not merge all your personal calendars or copy your private events between providers.

Read what calendar permissions Sync2Cal uses before choosing a connection method.

How do I choose the subscription option in my app?

• Google Calendar on a computer: use Other calendars > Add other calendars > From URL for a feed link. Uploading a file through Import & export is a one-time import.
• Apple Calendar: use Add Subscription Calendar on iPhone or iPad, or File > New Calendar Subscription on Mac. Apple setup instructions.
• Outlook on the web: choose Add calendar > Subscribe from web for a link. Upload from file creates an imported copy. The final button may say Import even in the subscription flow; the choice of Subscribe from web is what matters.

For Sync2Cal, start on the calendar's page and select Sync to Calendar. Follow the prompts for your chosen app. See how to subscribe.

Can I switch without getting duplicate events?

Yes, but check the old copy first. After confirming that the new connection contains the expected events, hide the old calendar to identify which copy you want to keep. Then remove the redundant subscription or imported events using the duplicate-events guide.

If both connections use the same Sync2Cal subscription, do not remove it from My Calendars just to remove an extra copy in your calendar app. That can stop the connection you want to keep.

Official references: Google file imports, Google calendar subscriptions, and Outlook imports and subscriptions.