Forum Topic

Help - how do I make iphone calendar sync with new computer?

So I bought this spanking new Dell computer and it has Microsoft software. Haven managed most things with help from Prem who comes and does computer stuff for me.But we are baffled about how to have a calendar on iphone and PC which syncs - in both directions ovvie.Used to be on outlook but current software doesnt have that and it would cost about £80 which seems a lot just for a calendar.Any ideas?

Sara Nathan ● 5115d17 Comments

Re Any ideas?        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  I am by no means computer literate ( relied so far on one particular Chinese friend, hence loads of hieroglyphics on one machine in London I can't understand or get rid of )  but in the r/h bottom corner of the screen is  the time, always correct and if you click on that  a calender appears and which gives the facility of resetting the time and date, so is that what you are needing?.

Tony Price ● 5115d

No sorry - I was obviously not clear enoughIt's an appointments calendar I need - so if I put "hair Anthony Bell 0930 October 26 in my iphone, it syncs to my PC so I dont double book (always a threat with six jobs and no memory!)

Sara Nathan ● 5115d

While on the question of computer problems, does anyone else  who is on A O L have trouble with Auto Express, who send me details of motoring matters etc but most times when I click on most of their " subjects ",  and up comes " A O L is not responding " and the PC freezes, nothing  , I mean nothing will operate. It is 64 bit machine with Windows 7, which to my mind is rubbish.

Tony Price ● 5115d

Hi Sara,Unfortunately this is not an easy task. There is a free mail client Thunderbird from Mozilla which can be used to sync calendars however the process is not straightforward.May be for now, you can download the trial copy of MS Office which should give you 30 days trial version.How to sync iPhone with Outlook is mentioned on this link,http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1296?viewlocale=en_US(Expand the 'Calendars' section).Hope this helps.Sandeep

Sandeep Mestry ● 5115d

There is slightly longer route I'd like to mention which is easy to follow and free of cost.1) Export your iPhone calendar to GMail account on your phonehttp://smallbusiness.chron.com/export-iphone-calendar-items-import-gmail-30346.html(Check the 'Export to Gmail Calendar' section)2) Install Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer.http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/downloadAlso install Lightening which is an add-on for Thunderbird to manage Calendars.https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/lightning-calendar-tabs/?src=hp-dl-upandcoming3) Set up Thunderbird with the same GMail account that you've used to sync iPhone Calendar.Step by step guide is given here.http://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=180189And that's it.Now whenever you'll add any event on your iPhone Calendar, it will get synced to GMail account on phone and then further to Thunderbird on your computer..Hope this helps,Sandeep

Sandeep Mestry ● 5115d

Golly that sounds complicated - is it simple to access when it's done?Thanks for the advice - will report back!

Sara Nathan ● 5115d

Re  Golly that sounds complicated         xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    and does so to me. Am I being totally stupid in saying why not  use only  ONE of the machines, either the i phone OR the laptop to record  your diary and which would obviate the need to get them in sync?.

Tony Price ● 5115d

Can only use iphone when away from my office but the problem with that is that if you are on the phone - its tricky to use the diary on the same machine - so I prefer to use the PC when possible.But needs mustand it may come to that

Sara Nathan ● 5115d

Of course the easiest way is to use an Apple desktop or laptop and then emails, calendars, notes, documents, photographs, music, are all updated on all the machines automatically.

Bob Crossley ● 5115d

Another thoughtSetup an iCloud account then everything on your iPhone contacts, calendars etc will sync with iCloud.com on the internet.

Bob Crossley ● 5115d

I was given an ipad this summer and had to spend ages finding ways to synch it with my pc as i was totally new to Apple technology. I know you've got an iphone rather than an ipad but I wonder if this would work for you (good luck):Instructions1Plug your iPhone into a USB port on your PC, and iTunes should start automatically. If it doesn't, open it from the Programs section of the Start menu.2Click on your iPhone in the "Devices" list of iTunes' side panel.3Click on the "Info" tab at the top of the main iTunes window.4Tick the check box next to "Sync Calendars with," and select your desktop calendar application from the drop-down list.5Click the "All calendars" radio button if you want to sync all of your calendars with your iPhone. If you don't want to sync all of your calendars with your iPhone, click the "Selected calendars" radio button, and select the individual calendars you want to sync.6Click "Sync" in the bottom corner of iTunes, and your desktop calendar will sync with your iPhone calendar app.http://www.ehow.com/how_2299143_sync-iphone-desktop-calendar-pc.html

annie trevaskis ● 5114d

Re  Plug your iPhone into a USB port on your PC          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    I must confess I am impressed with the knowledge  some people have and on matters which confuse me.  I gave a lift to his work place this morning to a friend and used the inbuilt Sat Nav in my car to get there and I told him my father who passed over almost 10 years ago in his 92nd year just would not believe such " aids" were possible. I find it difficult myself  to comprehend how a small device can hold so much information and dispense it  on command. Devices we now take for granted are the calculator, mobile phones, computers, Sat Navs.iPads, digital cameras etc, all of which have become such an integral part of our lives and which we can't live without whereas 20-25 years ago they didn't even  exist. I doubt I will still be here , I can't begin to  contemplate what will be taken for granted in 25 years time.

Tony Price ● 5114d

I understand from a computer guru in the US that there is more computing power in the iPhone than they had available when they landed the first man on the moon.

Bob Crossley ● 5114d

thanks AnnieDont understand a word of it - but will forward to Prem who might.It's too late for the might-have-been of getting a Mac now - Got the Dell and am certainly not changing it for the next at least five years. Too draining of spirit and pocket

Sara Nathan ● 5114d

Ok - here's a video on you tube that shows you how to connect your iphone to your computer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG1AyqF0Qm4&feature=relatedIf you need any more help you can just go to google on the computer and type in "how to synch iphone caldender to pc" and you should be able to find tutorials that show every step.

annie trevaskis ● 5114d

thanks Annie.

Sara Nathan ● 5114d

Hi Sara,The approach I suggested should work fine, I understand it's a longer route but if you speak to Prem then I suppose he will agree.The steps that Annie has mentioned from eHow are the generic steps and points 4 & 5 ask about selecting the "Desktop Calendar application" which in your case used to be MS Outlook and if I understand you correctly then you don't wish to invest into it only for the Calendar. Hence I had provided you an alternate option of Mozilla Thunderbird which is free and easy to use product, albeit it needs an installation and configuration.If possible, could you run the steps I suggested with Prem and ask his input. I have been using Thunderbird and had no issues so far but would like to know if he has any questions or concerns.Best Regards,Sandeep

Sandeep Mestry ● 5112d