Import ICS to Google Calendar in 5 Minutes (2025 Updated Methods)

Obtaining an .ics file for an event and not knowing how to add it to Google Calendar can be frustrating. Clicking the file doesn’t always work, and mobile makes it even trickier. That’s why I learned the simplest ways to import ICS to Google Calendar, and I’ll walk you through them step by step.

What is an ICS File?

An ICS file (iCalendar format) is a standard calendar file that stores events, dates, times, attendees, and notes. Additionally, it contains event details like:

• Meeting date and time
• Location
• Attendees
• Notes or descriptions

I usually receive them from Outlook users, event registrations, or when I download holiday schedules. The good news is that Google Calendar supports .ics. But the method to import depends on your requirements: want a one-time copy, or live sync.

How to Import ICS to Google Calendar?

Based on your requirements and skills, you can opt for any solution mentioned below:

#Solution 1. Import .ics to Google Calendar on Desktop

For a one-time import, you can use this, which Google officially recommends:

1. Open Google Calendar on your computer.
2. Click the gear icon (top-right) > Settings.
3. In the left panel, click Import & export.
4. Under Import, click Select file from your computer and choose the .ics file.
5. Pick the calendar to add the events to.
6. Click Import.

Limitations I’ve noticed:

• If you import the same file twice, you’ll get duplicate events.
• Guest lists and Google Meet links are not preserved.
• Very large .ics files may fail to upload.

Also read: Import Google Calendar to Office 365

#Solution 2. Subscribe to an ICS Calendar

If you want events to update automatically. In that case, use the subscribe method instead of importing. For the same, follow the steps given below:

1. Copy the ICS URL of the calendar.
2. Open Google Calendar > Settings.
3. Under Add calendar, choose From URL.
4. Paste the ICS link and click Add calendar.

If the source calendar updates, Google Calendar will sync changes. This does not happen with a one-time import.

#Solution 3. Import ICS to Google Calendar on Mobile

The Google Calendar app (Android & iOS) doesn’t allow direct ICS imports. But here are the tricks I use:

• On iPhone/iPad:
  

• • • Save the .ics file to the Files app.
    • Tap the file > choose Add to Calendar > select Apple Calendar.
    • Enable sync between Apple Calendar and Google Calendar so events appear on Google Calendar.
      

• On Android:
  

• • Open the .ics attachment from Gmail or a file manager.
  • If prompted, choose Add to Calendar
  • If that fails, upload the file to Google Drive and import using the desktop browser.

#Solution 4. Programmatic Import with API or CalDAV

For large .ics files or when you want to import ICS to Google Calendar, while preserving guests’ links, use the Google Calendar API:

• Parse the .ics file with a library, e.g., icalendar in Python.
• Use Google Calendar’s events.insert or events.import API methods to create events.
• Alternatively, use CalDAV for bulk calendar syncing.

Example (Python snippet):

import icalendar
from googleapiclient.discovery import build
# Load .ics file
with open("events.ics", "rb") as f:
    cal = icalendar.Calendar.from_ical(f.read())
service = build("calendar", "v3", credentials=creds)
for component in cal.walk("VEVENT"):
    event = {
        "summary": str(component.get("summary")),
        "start": {"dateTime": str(component.get("dtstart").dt)},
        "end": {"dateTime": str(component.get("dtend").dt)},
    }
    service.events().insert(calendarId="primary", body=event).execute()

This method requires technical knowledge and risk of data loss; if not followed, commands carefully.

#Solution 5. Import ICS to Google Calendar Via Cutting-edge Solution

When I had to import more than one ICS file into Google Calendar, the manual methods felt slow and repetitive. That’s when I tried the SysTools ICS to G Suite Importer, and it made the process much easier.

Download Now Purchase Now

It helps me import more than 1000 files simultaneously, without requiring any technical expertise. Its simple UI makes the procedure easy and hassle-free. 

What I Liked About It:

• Keeps everything the same, such as event name, description, timings, reminders, and recurrence.
• No errors or missing data.
• With this, you can import ICS to Outlook 365, G Suite, Exchange Server, and other calendar apps.
• Comes with an advanced filter to import only the relevant data, not duplicates. 

You can download this on any Windows machine for free now! 

After installing it, follow the instructions to import ICS to Google Calendar:

• Step 1. Open the software, and select File System & G Suite. 
• Step 2. Mark the Calendar option.
• Step 3. Afterwards, upload the ICS via the Import Folder Path. 
• Step 4. Now, come to the target screen, and provide the admin credentials for the G Suite account. 
• Step 5. Map source users via Fetch Users, Import Users, and Download Template. 
• Step 6. Press the Start Import button. 

Import vs Subscribe: Which One Should You Use?

Many times, users won’t decide which suits them best: import or subscribe. Both are different approaches and will be used in different scenarios. Here is the quick differentiation between them, to help you understand which suits your needs:

• Import (one-time copy): Takes the events from the .ics file and drops them into your chosen calendar. But if the original calendar changes, your Google Calendar won’t update.
• Subscribe (sync): If you have an ICS URL, you can go to Add calendar > From URL in Google Calendar, paste the link, and your calendar will stay updated automatically.

Read also: Export Calendar from Outlook 365

What Gets Lost When You Import ICS to Google Calendar?

Google doesn’t import everything from ICS files:

• Guest lists often disappear.
• Google Meet links or other conferencing details are not preserved.
• Some recurrence rules may not transfer correctly.

Google admits this limitation; the import UI only pulls in basic event fields. If you need guests or conferencing data intact, either:

• Use the subscribe by URL method, or
• Parse the .ics file and create events via the Google Calendar API.

How to Handle Large ICS Files?

Sometimes I receive .ics files with hundreds of events. In those cases, imports may fail. My fix is simple:

• Open the file in a text editor.
• Split it at BEGIN:VEVENT boundaries into smaller .ics files.
• Import each file separately.

This way, you can avoid hitting hidden limits that Google doesn’t publicly document.

Author’s Verdict

By knowing these methods and their limitations, I’ve saved my time and avoided duplicate events. I guarantee that, with this precise information and methods, one can easily import ICS to Google Calendar without any external help. 

People Also Ask

1. Can I import ICS files directly on mobile?
   No. The Google Calendar app doesn’t support it; use a computer for best results.
2. What’s the difference between import and subscribe?
   Import = one-time copy. Subscribe = live sync.
3. Why don’t attendees or Meet links appear after import?
   Because the import UI ignores guest lists and conference data.
4. What’s the best way to handle large .ics files?
   Split them into smaller files or use the API.
5. Can I import ICS to Google Calendar with the API?
   Yes, but you need to parse the file and create events programmatically.