Skip to main content

Getting started with a 1-way calendar sync for Apple Calendar or Outlook

Getting started with a 1-way calendar sync for Apple Calendar or Outlook

SimplePractice offers a 1-way calendar sync that you can use to view SimplePractice appointments in your personal calendar through Apple Calendar or Outlook.

Note: If you're interested in learning about a 2-way sync with Google Calendar, see: Getting started with the 2-way Google Calendar sync.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Additionally, we’ll provide specific instructions for:

Note: Our calendar sync feature is only available on the Plus plan. To learn more about our subscription plans, see: Which subscription plan is right for me?


Explaining 1-way calendar sync

With our 1-way calendar sync feature, you can display your SimplePractice calendar on your external calendars. This allows you to keep track of your upcoming appointments on your personal calendar, as well as within SimplePractice. It’s a 1-way calendar sync because it only syncs in one direction: from SimplePractice to your external calendars.

With 1-way calendar sync, you won’t be able to create or modify appointments within your SimplePractice account from your personal calendar. Additionally, it won't allow you to display your external calendar inside of your SimplePractice calendar. If you’re interested in these features, see: Getting started with the 2-way Google Calendar sync.


Enabling 1-way calendar sync in SimplePractice

To begin using 1-way calendar sync, you'll need to generate a calendar URL. Here's how:

  • Log in to your SimplePractice account.
  • Click Settings > Calendar.
  • Click the Calendar Sync toggle to adjust it to On.

CalendarSyncToggle.SimplePractice.CalendarSettings.png

  • This will generate a secure calendar URL that you can use to sync with external calendar apps.
    • If you're part of a group practice, only your specific calendar will sync. It won't include appointments for other clinicians in your group.

CalendarURL.simplepractice.CalendarSettings.png

 

Important: All appointments entered in your SimplePractice calendar, for the 30 days prior to the date of the sync and onwards, will be published to your Apple Calendar once you authorize the connection. Any SimplePractice events more than 30 days old will be removed from your Apple Calendar each time it’s synced.

Note: See Troubleshooting calendar sync issues to learn how to resolve calendar sync issues. 


Calendar on OS X

  • Open Calendar
  • Click File from the menu at the top of the page
  • Select New Calendar Subscription in the drop-down menu
  • Paste your calendar URL from SimplePractice into the Calendar URL field
  • Click Subscribe
  • Select iCloud from the Location dropdown menu
  • Select Every 5 minutes from the Auto-refresh dropdown menu

calendarsync.simplepractice.calendar.png


Calendar using version 11.4 or later on iPhone

  • Copy the link that you generated from your SimplePractice account (see above instructions)
  • Open the Calendar app
  • Go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Other > Add Subscribed Calendar
  • Paste the link in the Server field, then tap Next

calendarsubscription.simplepractice.iphone.png


Calendar with iPhone or iPad (versions prior to 11.4)

  • Click Settings from the home screen. 
  • Scroll down and click Accounts.
  • Click Add Account.
  • Select Other, then click Add Subscribed Calendar.
  • Enter your secure Calendar URL in the Server field. (The easiest way to do this is to copy the Calendar URL from SimplePractice and text or email it to yourself. You can then copy the URL from your text/email and paste it into this field.)
  • Click Next
  • Username and password fields are optional, but make sure that Use SSL is on.
  • Click Save. You’ll now see SimplePractice listed under your Subscribed Calendars on the Accounts page.

Setting up a sync with Outlook

  • Open Outlook
  • From the calendar page, click Add Calendar
  • Select Subscribe from Web
  • Paste the URL in the blank URL field

SubscribeURL.Outlook.Subscribefromweb.png

  • Enter the calendar name as “SimplePractice Calendar”, or another preferred description
  • Click Import
  • After the calendar is updated, it’ll display under Other Calendars on the calendar page in Outlook

Still have questions?

Get more help