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How to sync calander in outlook to iphone outlook

Robert Perez 20 Reputation points
2026-03-14T14:39:50.8266667+00:00

can't get calander updates in iphone outlook. imap not cloud

Outlook | Outlook for mobile | Outlook for iOS | For home
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Alice-N 9,705 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-03-15T07:19:06.7866667+00:00

Dear Robert Perez

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand that calendar updates aren’t syncing in Outlook for iOS because the mailbox is set up as IMAP. I’m happy to help you. 

Quick note: IMAP/POP are email‑only protocols—they don’t sync calendar or contacts. For events to appear in Outlook for iOS, they need to come from an account that supports calendar sync in Outlook (e.g., Outlook.com/Microsoft 365, iCloud, or Google). 

To move forward, could you please confirm: 

  1. Which email provider/domain is behind the IMAP account (e.g., Outlook.com/Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, or a custom domain)? 
  2. Where are the calendar events created/stored today? (iPhone Calendar, Outlook desktop “On My Computer,” or a server calendar like Outlook.com/Microsoft 365/iCloud/Google) 
  3. In Outlook for iOS, do you see any option or prompt to “Sync this account to the Microsoft Cloud”? 

Please reply when you have time, and I will continue to assist you further. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Have a lovely day! 

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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-14T14:40:03.18+00:00

    Calendar and contacts do not sync over IMAP. IMAP syncs only email. To get calendar updates in Outlook on iPhone, the account must be added with a protocol that supports calendar (such as Exchange/Outlook.com, iCloud, or another service with Exchange ActiveSync), or the calendar must be exposed through such an account.

    Use these options:

    1. Prefer Exchange/Outlook.com instead of IMAP
    • If the email provider supports Exchange ActiveSync or Outlook.com:
      1. Remove the IMAP version of the account from Outlook for iOS.
      2. In Outlook for iOS, go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account.
      3. Add the account using the provider’s Exchange/Outlook.com option (not IMAP/POP).
      4. After setup, calendar and contacts will sync with Outlook on iPhone.
    1. If using the built‑in iPhone Calendar instead of Outlook app If the calendar is in an Outlook.com/Microsoft 365/Exchange account:
    2. On iPhone, open Settings.
    3. Scroll to Apps > Calendar.
    4. Tap Calendar Accounts > Add Account.
    5. Choose Outlook.com, sign in, and complete setup.
    6. In the account settings, turn Calendar on.
    7. Open the iOS Calendar app and tap Calendars to ensure the Outlook calendar is selected.
    8. If the only option from the provider is IMAP
    • IMAP cannot sync calendar or contacts to Outlook for iOS. In that case, calendar items must be stored in a service that supports calendar sync (for example, move or recreate calendar events in Outlook.com, Exchange, or iCloud and then add that account to Outlook for iOS).
    1. Verify calendar is enabled in Outlook for iOS Once the account is added with a supported protocol:
    2. In Outlook for iOS, go to Calendar.
    3. Tap the three lines (menu) in the upper left.
    4. Under the email account, ensure Calendar is checked.

    If calendar still does not sync in Outlook for iOS:

    1. In Outlook app, go to Settings > tap the account > Reset Account and test.
    2. If needed, delete the account from Outlook for iOS and re‑add it using Exchange/Outlook.com (not IMAP).

    References:

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