If you use an Android phone or tablet, you can sync calendar and contacts between Outlook and your phone one of two ways: using a Microsoft Exchange account (which includes Outlook.com) or using a third party utility (listed below).
If you already use Outlook.com or an Exchange account, you'll obviously use it. If you have a Microsoft account using a Gmail or other non-Microsoft address, you will need to add an Outlook.com alias to the Microsoft account in order to use it to sync calendar and contacts. See "add an alias to an existing account" for instructions.
Sync Outlook to Google Calendar, Contacts, Tasks! Two-way sync is enabled by default, or choose one way sync. Set the Auto Sync feature for every 15 minutes or manually sync on your own. Outlook Categories map to Google Groups One user-license is valid on up to 3 PCs. Free Trial Available.Microsoft Exchange server accounts (including Office 365 and Outlook.com) set up on Android devices will sync Calendar and Contacts; Tasks and Notes can be synced if you have an app that supports them as the native Android app and Outlook app do not sync Tasks or Notes at this time.
If you don't use Outlook.com for your email (using a POP3 or IMAP account instead), you'll need to use a sync utility to sync Outlook desktop with your Gmail account, or switch to Outlook.com. You can use Outlook.com for your calendar and contacts and your usual email account, however meeting invitations and responses will be sent from the Outlook.com account. (Microsoft is working on a cloud service that will sync Gmail with Outlook desktop - including Gmail calendar & contacts - as a Microsoft Exchange account.)
If you added your email address to Outlook.com as connected account, it is generally better (IMHO) to configure the email directly on the smartphone, preferably as an IMAP account (so sent items, deleted items, and read state sync with Outlook desktop, which is also configured for IMAP) and use the Outlook.com account to sync only calendar & contacts.
The video below uses a Gmail email account and an Android device, but the same method works on Apple and Windows devices. If the Microsoft Account/Outlook.com account is your email address, you'll need to add an Outlook.com alias to the account and use it to set the account up in Outlook desktop using auto account setup. See "Add an Alias to an Outlook.com Account" for the steps needed to add an alias to an existing Outlook.com account.
These are the basic steps. You need to use Outlook 2010 or newer. (Outlook 2007 will eventually stop connecting to Outlook.com using Exchange services, with degraded service beginning in October 2017).
In Outlook:
- Add the Outlook.com account to an Outlook profile. You must use auto account setup and will need to have an Outlook.com address on the account to use auto account setup. If the Outlook.com address is not the default address, the address will show in Outlook as outlook_uglycode@outlook.com.
- Add your email account to the profile
- The Outlook.com data file should be the default data file
- Your email account is the default email account
On the device:
- Add your email account (it's the Android account in my video demo and already configured in the Gmail app)
- Add the Outlook.com account as an Active Sync account in the Android mail app. Depending on your device, the account type might be called Exchange, Outlook.com, or Corporate. Choose the manual option if it's not an outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN email address. Use m.hotmail.com or eas.outlook.com as the server name but send a test message from the phone using the account. If the email address is 'outlook_uglycode@outlook.com', set it up using an Outlook.com address instead.
- Turn off email sync on the outlook.com account if you aren't using it for email.
- Turn off calendar and contact sync on your personal account or hide those folders, if needed. Set the Outlook.com calendar and contacts to be your default.
Sync Directly Between Outlook and Android
I want to sync my contacts and calendar back and forth with my Android smartphone. Will Outlook sync freely with Android?
To sync an Android phone directly with Outlook requires the use of a third party utility. Outlook has no part in the sync process, it only supplies the data you want to sync. Sync software does all of the work.
Your phone manufacturer may include sync software, if not, you'll need to purchase sync software. CompanionLink supports most phones. MyPhoneExplorer from the Android App Store will sync calendar and contacts (and more). Mobiledit or AkrutoSync are additional options.
It is possible to configure a POP3 account in Outlook.com as a connected account, which will allow you to sync over the air with phones that support Exchange ActiveSync (EAS).
Sync Androids with Outlook and iCloud
An Android user who is using the iCloud to sync Outlook and an iPad asked if it would be possible to sync their Android smart phone with iCloud. They wanted to avoid installing another sync utility when the iCloud worked great.
There are two Android apps, CardDav-Sync and CalDav-Sync, that can connect to the iCloud calendar and contacts. The iCloud will handle the Outlook-to-iCloud sync and the Droid connects to the iCloud website to sync.
Tools in the Spotlight
CompanionLink keeps Microsoft Outlook and your Android device synchronized. No Exchange Server required. Choose a USB connection or the secure DejaCloud wireless service. Both options include DejaOffice app for Android that provides an Outlook-like experience on your device. The app enables business features like color categories, database encryption and password-lock, integration with Caller ID and voice dial, and much more. Version 9 | |
CompanionLink synchronizes Outlook data with phones and other supported desktop applications and web-based services (like Google). Companionlink supports all versions of Outlook, including Outlook 2013 32-bit and 64-bit, and Windows 10. Version 9 |
Tools
Use AkrutoSync to synchronize your Outlook Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes directly with any Android, iOS (iPhone or iPad) or Windows Phone devices. AkrutoSync runs on your computer, not in the cloud. The program works with the phone's built-in apps, so there are no additional apps to install on the phone. After the initial set-up, the program syncs automatically. It works over Wi-Fi or the Internet. Akruto syncs Outlook with unlimited number of phones and tablets even if they are different brands and operating systems. Synchronization history feature lets you restore data if you change or delete something inadvertently. | |
Software to sync Outlook Calendar appointments with Google Calendar events. Allows you to sync one-way with either Outlook or Google as master as well as 2way sync by last changed appointments/events. Option to schedule a sync at regular intervals. | |
CompanionLink for Mac keeps Outlook for Mac contacts, calendars, tasks, and categories synchronized with either a Google account, smartphone, or tablet. You can choose your destination in the Settings menu of the software. Two-way direct sync. | |
GeneralSync can sync between any number of Android devices and PCs with Thunderbird and/or Outlook. In contrast to other options it does not require a designated computer to be powered on at all times and works without uploading your data to any cloud. The synchronization is instead performed directly between the devices that are connected to each other at a given time (decentral, peer-to-peer). That way, it can be used in small offices or at home, without setting up or administering any kind of server. Currently, GeneralSync is available for free during a public beta phase. | |
GO Contact Sync Mod synchronizes your Microsoft Outlook contacts with your Google Mail address book, including pictures, categories and notes. Since version 3.5.6 it also syncs your Outlook Notes on demand to Google Drive. Since version 3.7.0 it also syncs your Outlook Calendar Appointments on demand to Google Calendar. This Mod fork adds many enhancements and bug fixes to the obviously dead project 'Go Contact Sync'. | |
gSyncit is an Outlook add-in that allows for two-way synchronization between Outlook calendars, contacts, notes, and tasks with your Google, iCloud, AOL, Fruxx, Yahoo, Memotoo and many other "DAV" enabled services. Also includes support for syncing attachments for calendar events. Works with Microsoft Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or Office 365 (Desktop Client) on Windows 7 and newer. | |
MOBILedit! allows you to control your phone from a PC. After downloading MOBILedit! to any computer, you can connect your phone via cable, Bluetooth, or IrDA. You will then be able to view the entire contents of the phone where you can synchronize, add, edit, or delete. | |
Connect your phone via cable, bluetooth or wifi to manage your Android phone. Direct sync Address Book to Outlook, GMail, Windows contacts, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, and Lotus Notes. Sync Organizer to Outlook, Google, Sunbird, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, Windows calendar(Vista), Rainlendar, Lotus Notes, and net shared calendars (WebDAV, FTP, local). See wbsite for complete list of features. | |
Sync Google calendars and contacts with Outlook. Requires yearly subscription. | |
Outlook CalDav Synchronizer is a free Outlook Plugin, which synchronizes events, tasks and contacts between Outlook and Google, SOGo, Nextcloud or any other CalDAV or CardDAV server. Supported Outlook versions are Office 365, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007. | |
Outlook Google Calendar Sync is completely free and syncs between any Outlook calendar and a Google calendar of your choice - either in a single direction or two-way. Attendees, reminders, free/busy attributes are all synced, events can be merged with existing if necessary, and even words in calendar subject's can be obfuscated if you have security concerns. Syncs can be configured on an automatic schedule, or simply upon request. It does not need to be installed (can just be unzipped) and works behind web proxies. Supports Outlook 2003 right through to Outlook 2016 64-bit! | |
SimpleSYN Mobile is the synchronization solution for synchronizing Outlook data with your iPhone, iPad or Android device. Emails, appointments, contacts, notes and tasks are always up-to-date on all devices. Your Outlook data always remains local on your devices and is not stored in the cloud. On your smartphone you do not need an additional app and you can use the built-in apps. SimpleSYN Mobile syncs on the local network (WLAN) or on the way via the internet. Free 30 days trial available | |
Automatically synchronize your Outlook calendar and contacts with Google or iCloud. Access Outlook calendar and contacts on your Android phone or iPhone/iPad. |
Myphoneexplorer is the best of these: free and syncs notes, calendar, contacts with hi-res pictures, allows for file transfers, etc.. Only drawback is it syncs notes with its own note app and not the phones
Can you sync Outlook Taks/Todo's with the Android Phone, as well as Calendar and Contacts in Myphoneexplorer? I am going to be using Blackberry KeyOne Black Edition with the extra memory. Also will it only sync with the Android contacts and calendar which will would be OK, or can it be set up with in my case using the BB contacts, calendar and tasks which would be ideal. Any comments much appreciated.
I agree with that! I have looked high and low for many years to push Outlook contacts from multiple Contact folders to my Android phone. Since Android has a way of messing up contacts when synced back to Outlook, a critical feature is the ability to perform a one-way push from Outlook to my phone. This is totally fine with me because I rarely need to edit or create a contact on my phone. When I do need to create a contact on my phone, I can do it in a different folder on my phone. Kudos to the developer of MyPhoneExplorer. The graphics and style of the program (especially the Android app) may seem out-of-date, but there is a bunch of great functionality under the hood. So, don't let the looks of the program deceive you. This program also includes clipboard syncing, remote control of your phone, and other great stuff! I'm a fan and will be donating to the developer of this freeware.
Sorry = to previous post I meant to add, if anyone has any ideas to help that would be truly appreciated :-)
My Android - Outlook syncing has just broken. What seems to have happened is that previously, my contacts and calendar were in my Microsoft Exchange as my normal email first.last@domain.com (this is what I used to sign in to MS. I had an alias outlook_bigscarynumber@outlook.com which I set for syncing (I can't remember the details, but it was from advice on this site), but in Outlook, my contacts and calandar were listed under the first.last@domain.com (i.e. the name of the address book was this, and the calendar also) Now it seems that everything is under outlook_bigscarynumber@outlook.com in Outlook, and first.last@domain.com is just a POP/SMTP mail account. I guess something must have updated overnight ? So now on Android, I have sync with first.last@domain.com as an Exchange account, but all my Exchange contacts and calendar info is gone. I tried to add outlook_bigscarynumber@outlook.com as an Exchange account, but it said "sign in Failed" I don't remember putting in any special password for this account, but the one for my standard Microsoft account doesn't work and if I put I a different password, I don't know what it is. Note I am only interested in syncing calendar and contacts. This is very… Read more »
>> I had an alias outlook_bigscarynumber@outlook.com which I set for syncing
That means you had a non-Microsoft account set as the primary address on the Microsoft account. This address is not routable or can be used to sign in.
The best option is to add an outlook.com alias to your Microsoft account and set it as the primary address and use it to sign in. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/profile/ and click manage how you sign in to add the alias.
Ah, there is more! I've discovered a real disconnect between Outlook and Google on how they handle company names in Contacts. Background - LG G5 phone with Android 7.0. Windows 10 pro 64bit. Outlook 2016 full install. Set up Outlook.com account, linked to Outlook 2016 Contacts. Started clean, imported my contacts into new Outlook.com account contact folder. These synced fine to Outlook.live.com. Then in Android phone, set up exchange account with @outlook.com email address. Contacts synced. But I have many contacts in Outlook desktop with company name only - like "Delta Airlines" in Company field and File as: field. They display fine in desktop Outlook. My sort order is File As: No problem, yet. But when I sync to the Android contacts, the sync process - again, not sure on who's side it is on, but the Company name gets parsed into the First and Last name fields. Example - Delta gets parsed into the First name field and Airlines get parsed into the Last name field. On my phone, I sort by Last name, so now this company appears as Airlines, Delta in the A's! Uggghh! But wait, it gets worse. I thought I had a fix,… Read more »
Success. Sorry for all the chatter. Solved the issue by completely deleting all contacts, re-importing them, and was finally able to remove the Outlook.com account from my Android phone and re-establish the account.
I was originally trying to remove the account from within the Gmail app. Can't do it there. Had to go to Settings, Accounts, then click on each "category" of accounts until I found the outlook.com account under Gmail - Exchange category. (well hidden!). Then clicked on it, then menu ..., and remove account was an option. Removed it, then went through reestablishing it according to Diane's video. Set it up as a Microsoft Exchange account.
Thanks much Diane for providing this help!
Doug
Chatter is no problem - it can help others. :)
A bit of an update. I deleted all my contacts from Outlook 2016 (saved elsewhere!) and from Outlook.com and from Google Contacts and from my Android Contacts. Figured I would start over. Then re-imported my contact.pas file back into Outlook 2016's Outlook.com contact folder. These promptly populated into Outlook.com - all of them.
Now trying to get Android Contacts to sync with Outlook.com. But its being stubborn - nothing so far.
Hi Doug M,
Were you able to get Android Contacts to sync with Outlook.com? If yes what where the steps you did? Thank you in advance!
Thank you so much for your articles and help for this - what must be a difficult task - but should not be... another story. I am having mixed results trying to sync my Outlook 2016 contacts to Outlook.com and Android Contact app. Here is what has occurred: 1). I setup Outlook.com account with email alias, added this account to Outlook 2016 using auto create. Imported all my contacts into this new outlook contact folder with the outlook_ugly@outlook.com name. 2). When I go to Outlook.live.com and look at contacts, some are there, but others are not. Maybe 30% are missing. 3). When I add a new contact in Outlook 2016 - same ugly name folder as above, the new contact does not appear on outlook.live.com contacts. But it does appear on Outlook Android app! But many other contacts do not appear on the Outlook Android app. Maybe 60% are missing. 4). I've also tried to sync the Android Contact app with the outlook.com accout, but new additions as in 3 above are not added, they do not appear in the Android Contacts. Any ideas on how to fix this mess? Or things I may have messed up in setting it… Read more »
It worked perfectly for me Diane.
Thanks a lot!