Using BusyCal with 2Do
You can view and edit your 2Do tasks in BusyCal when both apps sync those tasks through the same compatible service, such as iCloud CalDAV. 2Do's newer iCloud sync and iCloud list sharing keep their data separately, so tasks using those methods do not appear in BusyCal.
We develop both BusyCal and 2Do, but they do not connect directly to each other. Each app connects to the sync service you choose. Using the same Apple Account in both apps does not necessarily mean they are reading the same tasks.
Two Different Ways to Use iCloud
iCloud is the name for several Apple services. For these apps, two of them matter:
- iCloud CalDAV stores calendars and task lists in a format that compatible apps can read and edit. BusyCal uses this service when you add an iCloud account. 2Do can use it too, by choosing iCloud CalDAV in its Sync settings.
- 2Do's iCloud sync uses Apple's CloudKit technology to store data in an area of iCloud reserved for 2Do. It preserves 2Do's task structure and features between copies of 2Do. BusyCal does not read this data. In 2Do's Sync settings, this option is called iCloud and is marked Recommended.
| How a list syncs in 2Do | Can BusyCal see it? |
|---|---|
| iCloud CalDAV | Yes, when BusyCal connects to the same iCloud account and the task calendar is selected. |
| iCloud (the recommended sync method) | No. This data is stored separately for 2Do. |
| iCloud list sharing | No. Both lists you share and lists shared with you are available only in 2Do. |
Apple Reminders is separate too. Selecting iCloud in BusyCal does not give it access to 2Do's CloudKit data or Apple's upgraded Reminders lists. See Using BusyCal with Reminders if you want to connect the Reminders app.
Why BusyCal Still Shows Older Lists
If you previously used iCloud CalDAV in 2Do and then switched to the newer iCloud sync, BusyCal may still show the lists and tasks left in CalDAV. New changes in 2Do go to its separate CloudKit storage, while BusyCal continues to read CalDAV.
The older CalDAV data is not interfering with 2Do's newer sync. The two copies are separate and do not update each other. Refreshing BusyCal or adding the same iCloud account again cannot make it read the newer 2Do data.
One Sync Account in 2Do, Multiple Accounts in BusyCal
2Do uses one regular sync account at a time. You cannot keep its regular lists syncing through both iCloud CloudKit and iCloud CalDAV at once. Use the same regular sync method and account on each of your devices running 2Do.
BusyCal can connect to multiple accounts at the same time, including accounts from different services. For example, it can show your work Google calendars alongside personal iCloud tasks. Each account keeps its own data; BusyCal does not copy tasks between services or make 2Do's private iCloud data available through CalDAV.
See Your Personal Tasks in Both Apps
If seeing your personal tasks in BusyCal is the priority, use iCloud CalDAV for 2Do's regular sync:
Save a backup first and start with the device that has your current tasks. Your CalDAV account may still contain older data. Replace Local Data can replace your current 2Do tasks with that older copy; Replace Server Data can remove tasks that exist only on CalDAV. Merge combines the two and may keep older or duplicate items. Read 2Do's switching instructions and Merge vs Replace before choosing, then configure your other 2Do devices to use the same method and account.
- In 2Do, open Settings > Sync, then the Setup tab.
- If you are connected to the newer iCloud method, tap Change Account and confirm the change. Choose iCloud CalDAV from Account Type.
- Enter your Apple Account and an app-specific password, then tap Set Up Sync. Follow 2Do's iCloud CalDAV setup guide for the full steps.
- In BusyCal, open Settings > Accounts and add iCloud using the same Apple Account and an app-specific password. If that account is already connected, use it. See Setting Up BusyCal with iCloud.
- In BusyCal, open your iCloud account under Settings > Accounts, tap Calendars, and make sure the task calendars are enabled. If you use a Calendar Set, include them in that set. A list in 2Do appears as a task calendar in BusyCal. Changes to supported task details then sync in both directions through iCloud CalDAV.
Keep Sharing Lists in 2Do
You do not need to choose the recommended iCloud sync method to share lists. 2Do's iCloud list sharing uses CloudKit separately from your regular sync account. Your personal lists can use iCloud CalDAV while you share other lists through 2Do.
For example, your personal Errands list can appear in both apps through CalDAV, while a Groceries list shared with your partner stays in 2Do. You can keep editing the shared list together, but it will not appear as a live shared list in BusyCal.
When you share an existing list through 2Do's Share via iCloud… command, that list stops syncing through the regular account. If it previously used CalDAV, changes to the shared list no longer reach CalDAV, and changes to a remaining CalDAV copy no longer reach the shared list. Switching your regular sync method back to CalDAV does not bring shared lists into BusyCal.
Everyone using a shared list needs a supported version of 2Do. See Share Lists over iCloud for requirements and instructions.
Task Features Can Differ
2Do is designed for detailed task management, including projects, checklists, Smart Lists, and sections. BusyCal brings calendars and tasks from multiple services into one place. A common sync service lets the apps exchange supported task details, but does not give them identical features.
With CalDAV, 2Do projects and checklists appear as a flat list of tasks in other apps. Features such as 2Do's Smart Lists, sections, and list groups are not carried by CalDAV. See what 2Do's iCloud CalDAV sync supports.
Choose 2Do's recommended iCloud sync if keeping its richer task structure and features in sync between copies of 2Do matters most. Choose iCloud CalDAV if access to your personal tasks from both 2Do and BusyCal matters most. You can use 2Do's separate list-sharing feature with either choice.