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Google Calendar Limitations with BusyCal

Google Calendar has several limitations that affect how BusyCal can sync and display certain features. These limitations are imposed by Google's API and are not specific to BusyCal.

For complete details about Google Calendar integration, see Using BusyCal with Google.

Why don't my Google Tasks show due times in BusyCal?​

Google does not allow third-party applications to sync task due times through their API. When you set a due time for a Google Task in BusyCal, only the due date will sync to Google Calendar - the time portion is not supported by Google's Task API.

Workaround: BusyCal's Extended Sync feature allows due times to sync between BusyCal clients on your devices, but these extended properties won't appear in Google Calendar itself.

Why can't I set recurring Google Tasks in BusyCal?​

Google's Task API does not support task recurrence patterns. This means you cannot create repeating tasks that will sync to Google Calendar, even though BusyCal supports this feature for other calendar services.

Alternative: Create recurring events instead of tasks, or use BusyCal's local task management features.

Why don't my Google Task priorities sync?​

Google Tasks do not support priority levels through their API. Only the following task properties sync with Google Calendar:

  • Title
  • Due date (date only, not time)
  • Notes

Priority levels, alarms, and other extended properties are not supported by Google's API.

Why can't I add alarms to Google Tasks?​

Google's Task API does not support alarms or reminders on tasks. This limitation is imposed by Google and affects all third-party calendar applications, not just BusyCal.

Alternative: Convert important tasks to events, which do support alarms when syncing with Google Calendar.

Why don't sound alarms work with Google Calendar?​

Google Calendar replaces sound alarms with message-only alarms when syncing with third-party applications. This is a limitation of Google's CalDAV implementation.

Note: Email alarms are delivered by Google directly, not by BusyCal, to prevent duplicate notifications.

Related: See Alarm field in Meeting Events syncing with Google is disabled for information about meeting-specific alarm limitations.

Why can't I attach files to Google Calendar events?​

Google Calendar does not support file attachments through CalDAV sync. This means you cannot add attachments to events that will sync to Google Calendar.

Alternative: Include links to cloud-stored files in the event notes field.

Why don't my event graphics appear in Google Calendar?​

Google Calendar does not support custom graphics or visual attachments. Graphics added in BusyCal will sync between BusyCal clients but will not appear when viewing the calendar in Google Calendar's web interface.

Why is the URL field hidden for Google Calendar events?​

Google Calendar does not sync URL fields through CalDAV, so BusyCal hides this field to avoid confusion when working with Google Calendar events.

Alternative: Include URLs in the event notes field.

Why can't I create separate start/end timezones for Google Calendar events?​

Google Calendar's CalDAV implementation does not support separate timezones for event start and end times when created through third-party applications.

Workaround: Use Google Calendar's web interface to manually set separate timezones for specific events.

Related: See End Timezone is ignored when creating events in a Google Calendar account for detailed steps.

Why don't my Journals and Stickies appear in Google Calendar?​

Google Calendar does not have equivalent event types for BusyCal's Journals and Stickies. These items sync between BusyCal clients through Google's servers but do not appear in Google Calendar's web interface.

Why can't I create new calendars from BusyCal when using Google?​

Google Calendar requires new calendars to be created through their web interface. BusyCal can only subscribe to and sync with existing Google Calendar calendars.

Solution: Create new calendars at calendar.google.com, then refresh your calendar list in BusyCal to see and subscribe to the new calendar.

Why do floating-time events appear hours early or late in Google Calendar?​

Google Calendar does not support Floating Time events. A Floating Time event is designed to stay at the same local clock time wherever you are, so it does not have a fixed time zone. The event may look correct in BusyCal but appear several hours early or late when Google Calendar receives it. This can affect calendars hosted on Google as well as calendars added to Google by subscription.

To prevent this for new events on Mac:

  1. Open BusyCal > Settings > Time Zones.
  2. Turn off Use Floating Time for New Events.

On iPhone or iPad, open BusyCal > Settings > New Event Defaults and turn off Use Floating Time for New Events.

Changing this setting affects only new events. To correct an existing event:

  • On Mac, control-click the event and choose Move To Time Zone, then select the correct time zone.
  • On iPhone or iPad, edit the event and assign the correct Start Time Zone. If this field is hidden, turn on Settings > View Preferences > Event Details > Show Start Time Zone first.

For more detail, see Time Zones in BusyCal for Mac or Date and Time Options in BusyCal for iOS.

If an event already has a fixed time zone but still appears at the wrong time, check Google Calendar's time zone settings.

Why can't I add meeting invitations to secondary Google calendars?​

Google Calendar has restrictions on meeting invitations for secondary calendars:

  • Meeting invitations are only properly processed on your primary Google calendar
  • Attendees cannot add meeting invitations to secondary Google calendars
  • Meeting invitations created on secondary calendars may not be delivered to attendees

Best Practice: Always create meetings with attendees on your primary Google calendar for reliable invitation delivery and response handling.

Additional Resources​

These limitations are imposed by Google's API and CalDAV implementation, not by BusyCal. For the most up-to-date information about Google Calendar's API capabilities, refer to Google's official documentation.

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