• Outlook User
  • New Outlook app
  • Outlook.com
  • Outlook Mac
  • Outlook & iCloud
  • Developer
  • Microsoft 365 Admin
    • Common Problems
    • Microsoft 365
    • Outlook BCM
    • Utilities & Addins

iPhone, Outlook, and Disappearing Appointments

Slipstick Systems

› Problems › iPhone, Outlook, and Disappearing Appointments

Last reviewed on February 16, 2018     17 Comments

A hotfix for Exchange server is available. See the following KB article for more information. Note: your Exchange administrator will need to install this update on the Exchange server.
Some recurring calendar items disappear from the "Day/Week/Month" view in Outlook when a user uses Exchange ActiveSync on a mobile device to modify a recurring meeting in an Exchange 2003 environment

Update: iTunes version 7.7.1.11 (released 7/31/08) appears to fix some of the sync problems.

There is nothing like using hottest, newest technology. Except when it doesn't work as expected. This was the case with the new iPhone release and iTunes update. Suddenly syncing is broken for many iPhone/Outlook users. The problems are two-fold. Events created on the device are only visible in a table view, in the To-do bar, or in Outlook Today, but not Day/Week/Month view. Appointments may display correctly when the reminder fires but disappear again when the reminder is dismissed. Secondly, events created in Outlook won't sync to the iPhone. Until Apple releases a fix, possible workarounds for each problem are listed below.

Only Outlook calendar sync is affected, contact sync should work perfectly. The iTunes software (and the ITunes COM add-in for Outlook) is required for calendar synching and we believe the bug is in this add-in. Contacts synching is handled directly within the ITunes software.

Events Not Visible in Day/Week/Month View | Outlook Events Won't Sync to iPhone
More Solutions | More Information

Events Not Visible in Day/ Week/ Month View

What we know: there is a problem in the sync process with alerts and recurrence patterns.

If an alert is changed in any way after syncing to the iPhone, the appointment disappears from the Day/Week/Month view in Outlook. This occurs whether the alert change is done manually either in Outlook or on the iPhone or automatically by dismissing the alert once it pops up. Either way the appointment disappears from Day/Week/Month view on the next sync (use a table view to see it). One suggestion is snooze every alert for 2 weeks until Apple releases a fix. If you need longer than 2 weeks, you can type a new time in full words, i.e., 6 weeks.

When new appointments are entered into the iPhone they're set as recurring when synced to Outlook but contain no data and Outlook doesn't know what to do with them. To fix, open the event on the iPhone and change it to recurring daily then end the recurrence on the date of the event before you sync to Outlook. Rather than change the recurrence, you could use a table view (such as All Appointments or By Category) since only the Day/Week/Month view is affected. Also, set an end date to all recurrences - i.e., rather than go on forever, set them to end in 2012.

Send Link by E-mail fails

The issue: When Outlook 2007 is not open and you click on "Send Link by E-Mail..." (or try to email a file in Vista) nothing happens (no warning message appears, nor does an email window open). After this occurs, Outlook 2007 won't open unless you go into Windows Task Manager, Processes Tab and end the OUTLOOK.EXE process. It appears that Outlook is trying to start but it hangs up.

The solution is to remove Apple Mobile Device Support in Control Panel or always open Outlook before using the File, Send to links.

Outlook Events Won't Sync to iPhone

Events created in Outlook won't sync to the iPhone, possibly caused by a bad recurring event in Outlook or conflicts. We're not exactly sure of the problem or have a good workaround for it yet. If you still can't sync after trying the solutions above try this method.

There are several variations to this fix, but the end result is the same - fewer appointments that need to be synced.

If you can find the bad item(s) or conflicts without deleting everything in your calendar, congratulations. If not, you can fix some problems by exporting the calendar to a CSV or Excel file, delete all the events then import them from the CSV. However, this is not a workable solution if you have meetings scheduled on your calendar.

Since any items you delete will be in the Deleted items folder, you could delete all the recurring events and slowly add them back to the calendar folder.

You should also archive old calendar items, leaving just the current year in the calendar, if possible. You can either use AutoArchive or create a second calendar folder and move all old events into it.

See OutlookSyncClient Error

More Solutions

Go iTunes, Info, and Calendars. Uncheck Sync All Calendars and check each calendar separately.

Don't set a reminder on appointments, in either Outlook or iPhone.

Reset Sync history

If your pst was used with Outlook 2002 or older, upgrade it to a Unicode pst. See Convert an old PST to a Unicode PST for more information.

More Information

fixed iphone calendar sync to outlook (Howardforums)
Mail, Contacts and Calendar Forum (Apple Discussion forums)
iPhone and iPod touch: Some Outlook calendar events might not sync (Apple Support article April 2008)

OutlookSyncClient Error

iPhone, Outlook, and Disappearing Appointments was last modified: February 16th, 2018 by Diane Poremsky

Related Posts:

  • Configure Outlook.com account on iPhone or iPad
  • "I have done as you suggested by copying the entries from my calendar
    Moving Recurring Appointments
  • Disappearing All Day Events
  • Synchronizing Outlook with a Smartphone

About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

Subscribe
Notify of
17 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Mark Simon
July 10, 2015 10:17 am

I lose Outlook events from my iPhone that I created on my desk top iMac. If I have 'categorized' the event, any minor change to that event (change in time, name, etc.) will make it instantly disappear forever on the iPhone while it remains on my Mac. Any suggestions??

0
0
Reply
Jayme
Reply to  Mark Simon
October 27, 2015 9:09 am

I am experiencing this issue too. Events/appts created either on my desktop or phone, but if a change is made on the iPhone (say from originally set as all day to an update to time creating a start/end) the event disappears on my iPhone. I can still see it on my desktop/Outlook, but it is gone from the iPhone calendar.

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Author
Reply to  Jayme
October 27, 2015 11:43 pm

Do the changes sync back to the desktop? If you search for it on the phone, can you find it?

0
0
Reply
Nicholas Smith
September 9, 2014 10:04 pm

I have an issue similar to this where the user has two meetings scheduled a month and are reoccurring events. The fir meeting of the month shows on his iphone but the second one doesn't.

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  Nicholas Smith
October 1, 2014 10:45 pm

How far ahead is he syncing? You can set any of the smartphone to keep just a few days of appointments on the device.

0
0
Reply
Joe OConnor
June 11, 2013 7:17 am

Diane,

Is a "master" device applicable in this type of ActiveSync configuration? I am unware of it, if it is. There is the possibility that the user "turned off" the iPhone 5 overnight and turned it back on in the morning (then noticed the appointments were removed). Also, the iOS version on the iPhone 5 is 6.1.4 which, I believe, is the latest version.

As per the user, this is still happening. I have other iPhone 5 users at the corporate office. I am going to ask them if they use their phones in the exact same manner as this user (downloading travel information to their Outlook Calendars then syncing to their phones via Exchange) to see if there is some commonality.

Joe

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  Joe OConnor
June 11, 2013 7:29 am

Master is probably not a good term - but you can set sync to be one way or two way and some sync applications let you choose which device will have the correct items if there is a conflict. (I'll have to check my iPad for conflict resolution - it may not have that.)

When you do a one way sync the "master" may clear events it doesn't have. <== I'm wondering if this is happening.

0
0
Reply
Joe OConnor
June 10, 2013 8:17 am

Hello! We are running Exchange 2010 SP1. We have a remote user with an iPhone 5 (upgraded from a BlackBerry Torch) that is having an issue with appointments disappearing from the iPhone. The user makes travel arrangements and downloads the arrangements from the travel sites (hotels, airlines) to Outlook.

We have tried a Hard Reset and a Full Erase of the iPhone. On the last Full Erase, the iPhone synced the travel appointments but they were removed somehow prior to the next morning.

I have just logged into the user's OWA account and removed the mobile phone association. I then had the user perform another Full Erase and re-setup the Exchange ActiveSync account. I am waiting for an update from the user.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Joe

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  Joe OConnor
June 10, 2013 12:30 pm

Do you know which device is supposed to be the 'master' ? It sounds like maybe the master copy is deleting it, but it should be gone during the next sync, not overnight, so i don't think its that.

0
0
Reply
N67
May 9, 2013 8:27 pm

Thank you. YES. iPad, iPhone and CPU all have same time zone and time.

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  N67
May 9, 2013 9:41 pm

The should eliminate the device thinking it has the newest version of the item. I'll keep trying to repro.

0
0
Reply
N67
May 7, 2013 2:05 pm

i have 2010 and icloud syncing calendar. many funny things happening.

1. sometime when i move an appointment, it drops it or ignores me
2. hour glass kicks in all the time and too often when typing doing etc.
3. if i open an appointment, thnen add text to body and save. reopen, the changes are gone.

don't know why but icloud is the culprit..!!??

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  N67
May 8, 2013 6:05 pm

The icloud is the culprit for the last one, probably the first but maybe not for #2.

On 3, it sounds like the appointment is getting overwritten by the one in the cloud. Are the phone and the computer on the correct time/time zone and both set to the same time?

0
0
Reply
James C
March 23, 2012 2:14 pm

I was hoping this article would help out with an issue I'm trying to resolve. The admin has Publisher/Editor access to the director's calendar and created an meeting event in the calendar. The director is able to see the event on her iPhone calendar but when looking at her Outlook 2010 calendar, the meeting event does not exist. Any ideas?

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  James C
March 23, 2012 2:56 pm

Can you see it in Outlook if you use a list view?

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
March 10, 2012 7:30 pm

Are you using a Hotmail account? That is the only service I am aware of that uses a birthday calendar. It should sync with Outlook if you use the Outlook Hotmail Connector.

0
0
Reply

Visit Slipstick Forums.
What's New at Slipstick.com

Latest EMO: Vol. 30 Issue 29

Subscribe to Exchange Messaging Outlook






Support Services

Do you need help setting up Outlook, moving your email to a new computer, migrating or configuring Office 365, or just need some one-on-one assistance?

Our Sponsors

CompanionLink
ReliefJet
  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Week Month All
  • Jetpack plugin with Stats module needs to be enabled.
  • Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell
  • Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook
  • Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail
  • Import EML Files into New Outlook
  • Opening PST files in New Outlook
  • New Outlook: Show To, CC, BCC in Replies
  • Insert Word Document into Email using VBA
  • Delete Empty Folders using PowerShell
  • Warn Before Deleting a Contact
  • Classic Outlook is NOT Going Away in 2026
Ajax spinner

Recent Bugs List

Microsoft keeps a running list of issues affecting recently released updates at Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in classic Outlook (Windows).

For new Outlook for Windows: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in new Outlook for Windows .

Outlook for Mac Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Outlook for Mac

Outlook.com Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com

Office Update History

Update history for supported Office versions is at Update history for Office

Outlook Suggestions and Feedback

Outlook Feedback covers Outlook as an email client, including Outlook Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows clients, as well as the browser extension (PWA) and Outlook on the web.

Outlook (new) Feedback. Use this for feedback and suggestions for Outlook (new).

Use Outlook.com Feedback for suggestions or feedback about Outlook.com accounts.

Other Microsoft 365 applications and services




New Outlook Articles

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail

Import EML Files into New Outlook

Opening PST files in New Outlook

New Outlook: Show To, CC, BCC in Replies

Insert Word Document into Email using VBA

Delete Empty Folders using PowerShell

Warn Before Deleting a Contact

Classic Outlook is NOT Going Away in 2026

Newest Code Samples

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

Insert Word Document into Email using VBA

Warn Before Deleting a Contact

Use PowerShell to Delete Attachments

Remove RE:, FWD:, and Other Prefixes from Subject Line

Change the Mailing Address Using PowerShell

Categorize @Mentioned Messages

Send an Email When You Open Outlook

Delete Old Calendar Events using VBA

Repair PST

Convert an OST to PST

Repair damaged PST file

Repair large PST File

Remove password from PST

Merge Two Data Files

Sync & Share Outlook Data

  • Share Calendar & Contacts
  • Synchronize two computers
  • Sync Calendar and Contacts Using Outlook.com
  • Sync Outlook & Android Devices
  • Sync Google Calendar with Outlook
  • Access Folders in Other Users Mailboxes

Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]

Make a donation

Mail Tools

Sending and Retrieval Tools

Mass Mail Tools

Compose Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Mail Tools for Outlook

Online Services

Calendar Tools

Schedule Management

Calendar Printing Tools

Calendar Reminder Tools

Calendar Dates & Data

Time and Billing Tools

Meeting Productivity Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Productivity

Productivity Tools

Automatic Message Processing Tools

Special Function Automatic Processing Tools

Housekeeping and Message Management

Task Tools

Project and Business Management Tools

Choosing the Folder to Save a Sent Message In

Run Rules on messages after reading

Help & Suggestions

Submit Outlook Feature Requests

Slipstick Support Services

Buy Microsoft 365 Office Software and Services

Visit Slipstick Forums.

What's New at Slipstick.com

Home | Outlook User | Exchange Administrator | Office 365 | Outlook.com | Outlook Developer
Outlook for Mac | Common Problems | Utilities & Addins | Tutorials
Outlook & iCloud Issues | Outlook Apps
EMO Archives | About Slipstick | Slipstick Forums
Submit New or Updated Outlook and Exchange Server Utilities

Send comments using our Feedback page
Copyright © 2025 Slipstick Systems. All rights reserved.
Slipstick Systems is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.

:wpds_smile::wpds_grin::wpds_wink::wpds_mrgreen::wpds_neutral::wpds_twisted::wpds_arrow::wpds_shock::wpds_unamused::wpds_cool::wpds_evil::wpds_oops::wpds_razz::wpds_roll::wpds_cry::wpds_eek::wpds_lol::wpds_mad::wpds_sad::wpds_exclamation::wpds_question::wpds_idea::wpds_hmm::wpds_beg::wpds_whew::wpds_chuckle::wpds_silly::wpds_envy::wpds_shutmouth:
wpDiscuz

Sign up for Exchange Messaging Outlook

Our weekly Outlook & Exchange newsletter (bi-weekly during the summer)






Please note: If you subscribed to Exchange Messaging Outlook before August 2019, please re-subscribe.

Never see this message again.

You are going to send email to

Move Comment