Shared Family Calendar for iPhone and Android Households: What Works

By Aurion team · Last updated: October 27, 2026

For a household with an iPhone and an Android phone, a shared Google calendar is one practical common base. Both phones can use Google's app; iPhone can also show Google events in Apple Calendar. Private iCloud sharing is between iCloud users, while Apple's web Calendar requires a tablet or computer. Test both editing and alerts before moving your family schedule.

Option 1: A shared Google calendar (works on both phones)

Set it up once, on a computer

In Google Calendar on the web, create a new calendar just for the family. Keep it separate from either parent's personal calendar.
Next to the calendar, click Settings and sharing, then "Shared with," then "Add people and groups."
Add your partner's email address and choose a permission. For a co-managed family calendar, pick one of the "Make changes" options.
Click Send. Google says the other person gets an email and has to click the link in it to add the calendar.

Google's permission levels, from its help page:

Permission	What the other person can do
See only free/busy (hide details)	See when you're busy, with no event names or details
See event details	See event names, times, places and descriptions
Make changes (see private events as free/busy)	Edit non-private events
Make changes and see event details	Edit events and see who else the calendar is shared with
Make changes and manage sharing	Full control of events, and can share the calendar with others

(Wording shortened. See Google's page for the full definitions.)

Then add it to each phone

Android: Google's help page says to download the Google Calendar app from Google Play. When you open it, your events sync.
iPhone: Google gives two options. Download the Google Calendar app from the App Store and sign in, or add your Google account to Apple's Calendar app so Google events show up there.

A catch for iPhone users in Apple Calendar

Google lists event email notifications among features unsupported in Apple Calendar. Configure Google change emails on the web and test them separately from reminders. Our notifications guide explains the difference.

Option 2: An iCloud shared calendar (works best when everyone has Apple devices)

Apple supports private iCloud calendar sharing with editing permissions and change alerts. It can suit a household already using iCloud.

For the Android parent, the options are thinner:

Calendar on iCloud.com: Apple's guide requires a tablet or computer, so do not build an Android-phone editing workflow around it.
A public, read-only link: This permits subscriptions in compatible apps, not editing. Anyone who obtains the link can access the published calendar. Keep children's locations and private family plans off public feeds; prefer private sharing for household use.

If both parents need to edit from their phones, try Option 1 and confirm that a test event syncs both ways.

Option 3: Other calendar apps

Outlook and several family calendar apps also run on both iPhone and Android. This guide sticks to the two built-in options above. If you try another app, check its help pages for two-way editing on both phones and for change alerts.

Avoid the "it's on my calendar" problem

Mixed households run into one problem more than any other: an event saved to the wrong calendar. Each phone has a default calendar for new events. If the iPhone's default is a personal iCloud calendar, an event added there never reaches the Android parent.

Fix it once:

On each phone, set the shared family calendar as the default for new events, or at least check it when adding family events.
Give the family calendar a distinct color so it's obvious at a glance.
When you add something that affects your partner, tell them. Sharing access alone does not guarantee that each person has enabled change alerts. Our guides on who keeps the family calendar updated and who is picking up the kids cover that handoff.

FAQ

Can Android users see an iCloud calendar?

Apple shares iCloud calendars with other iCloud users and offers a read-only public link that anyone can subscribe to with a compatible app. Apple says Calendar on iCloud.com needs a tablet or computer. For two-way editing from an Android phone, a shared Google calendar is the more practical choice.

How do I share a calendar with my Android husband from my iPhone?

Create a shared calendar in Google Calendar, share it with his Google account with a "Make changes" permission, and add your Google account to your iPhone. He uses the Google Calendar app on Android. You use the Google Calendar app or Apple Calendar.

Does my partner need a Gmail address?

No. A Google Account can use an existing non-Gmail email address.

Will my iPhone alert me when my Android spouse adds an event?

Check the change-email settings in Google Calendar on the web, then test a new event and an edit from your partner's account. An upcoming-event reminder is a different alert; see our notifications guide.

Which is easier for a mixed household, Google or Apple?

For two-way editing on both phones, Google, based on the help pages above. If everyone uses Apple devices, an iCloud shared calendar is another option.

Related guides

Sources

Checked October 17, 2026. Examples and routines are illustrative; product features and menu wording can change.