How to Share a Family Calendar: The Complete Guide

Getting your whole family on the same calendar shouldn't require a computer science degree.

Yet here you are, googling how to share a calendar because your spouse missed soccer practice again.

This guide shows you exactly how to share a family calendar—whether you use iPhone, Android, Google Calendar, or a mix of everything.

Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Share a Family Calendar

If you want the easiest solution:

1. Create a free account at Calendara
2. Add your family events (or snap a photo of a schedule to extract them automatically)
3. Tap "Share" and generate a QR code or link
4. Family members scan/click and they're subscribed

Done. Works on iPhone, Android, and any device with a calendar app.

Now let's cover all the options in detail.

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Method 1: Share Using a Family Calendar App (Easiest)

Family calendar apps are designed specifically for this problem.

Using Calendara (Recommended)

Why it's easiest: QR code sharing, works cross-platform, includes AI photo extraction for school schedules.

Steps:

1. Create a family calendar in Calendara
2. Add events (or upload a photo of a schedule)
3. Click Share Calendar
4. Choose QR Code or Copy Link
5. Family members scan QR code or click link
6. They're subscribed instantly

Bonus: When you update events, everyone sees changes automatically.

Using Cozi (Not Recommended)

Steps:

1. Create a Cozi account
2. Go to Settings > Family Members
3. Add family members by email
4. They receive an invitation email
5. They create Cozi accounts and join

Why We Don't Recommend Cozi:

• Free tier now limited to 30 days (bait-and-switch)
• Google Calendar sync is read-only (changes in Google don't appear in Cozi)
• No photo extraction feature (every event typed manually)
• Dated interface that hasn't been updated in years
• Everyone needs a Cozi account just to view

Using TimeTree

Steps:

1. Create a calendar in TimeTree
2. Tap the menu > Members
3. Share via link, QR code, or email invitation
4. Family members join the calendar

Limitation: Free tier has ads.

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Method 2: Share Google Calendar with Family

If your family uses Google, this is a solid free option.

Share an Existing Google Calendar

On Computer (Recommended for setup):

1. Go to calendar.google.com
2. Find your calendar in the left sidebar
3. Click the three dots next to the calendar name
4. Select Settings and sharing
5. Scroll to Share with specific people
6. Click + Add people
7. Enter family members' email addresses
8. Choose permission level:
   • See all event details (view only)
   • Make changes to events (can add/edit)
9. Click Send

On Phone: The Google Calendar app has limited sharing options. Use a computer for initial setup.

Create a Dedicated Family Calendar

Better than sharing your personal calendar:

1. In Google Calendar, click + next to "Other calendars"
2. Select Create new calendar
3. Name it "Family Calendar" or similar
4. Click Create calendar
5. Share using the steps above

Limitations of Google Calendar for Families

• No built-in color-coding by family member
• Sharing setup requires email invitations
• Everyone needs a Google account
• No photo-to-calendar feature
• Not designed for families

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Method 3: Share Apple Calendar with Family (iPhone/Mac)

If everyone in your family has Apple devices, this works well.

Using iCloud Family Sharing

Prerequisites: All family members need Apple IDs and iCloud enabled.

Steps:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing
2. Set up Family Sharing if not already done
3. Open Calendar app
4. Create a new calendar (tap Calendars > Add Calendar)
5. Name it and choose a color
6. Under Sharing, tap Add Person
7. Add family members from your Family Sharing group

Share with Non-Family Members

You can share calendars with anyone who has an Apple ID:

1. Open Calendar > Calendars
2. Tap the (i) next to your calendar
3. Tap Add Person
4. Enter their email address
5. They receive an invitation

Limitations of Apple Calendar for Families

• Only works well if everyone has Apple devices
• Android users are left out
• No photo-to-calendar feature
• Sharing with non-Apple users is clunky

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Method 4: Share Calendar via Link (Works Everywhere)

If you just need people to see your calendar (not edit it), sharing via link is universal.

Get a Shareable Link from Google Calendar

1. In Google Calendar settings for your calendar
2. Find Integrate calendar
3. Copy the Public address in iCal format link
4. Send this link to family members
5. They can add it to any calendar app

Get a Shareable Link from Calendara

1. Open your calendar in Calendara
2. Click Share
3. Copy the webcal link
4. Family members click and subscribe

Advantage: Works with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and any calendar app that supports webcal links.

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How to Share Across iPhone and Android

This is the most common family challenge. Here's what works:

Best Option: Use a Cross-Platform App

Apps that work on both iPhone and Android:

• Calendara (family-focused, AI extraction)
• Google Calendar (free, reliable)
• TimeTree (free with ads)

What to Avoid

• Apple Calendar alone: Android users can't participate fully
• Samsung Calendar alone: iPhone users can't participate fully
• Outlook alone: Unless everyone uses Microsoft

Recommended Setup

1. Choose Calendara or Google Calendar as your "family hub"
2. All family members install the app
3. Create a shared family calendar
4. Each person can sync to their native calendar app if preferred

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Sharing Family Calendars with Different Access Levels

Not everyone needs the same access:

Full Access (Spouse, Co-parent)

• Can add, edit, and delete events
• Sees all event details
• Gets notifications

View Access (Grandparents, Babysitters)

• Can see events
• Cannot make changes
• Useful for keeping extended family informed

How to Set This Up

In Calendara:

• Share link gives view access by default
• Add as family member for edit access

In Google Calendar:

• Choose "See all event details" for view access
• Choose "Make changes to events" for edit access

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Common Problems and Solutions

"My spouse can't see events I added"

Causes:

• Added to wrong calendar (your personal vs. shared family)
• They haven't accepted the sharing invitation
• Sync hasn't updated yet

Fixes:

• Check which calendar the event is on
• Have them check email for invitation
• Force sync: pull down to refresh in calendar app

"Grandparents can't figure out how to subscribe"

Solution: Use QR code sharing (Calendara) or add events to their calendar for them.

"Events show wrong times for family in different time zones"

Fix: Make sure all-day events are marked as "all-day" not as specific times. Calendar apps handle time zones better for timed events.

"Changes I make don't appear for others"

Causes:

• They're looking at a cached version
• You edited the wrong calendar
• Sync delay

Fixes:

• Have them force-refresh
• Verify you're editing the shared calendar
• Wait a few minutes for sync

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The Best Way to Share School Calendars

School calendars are the #1 thing families need to share. Here's the fastest approach:

Traditional Way (Slow)

1. Get school calendar PDF
2. Type each event into Google Calendar
3. Share the calendar
4. Time: 2+ hours

Better Way with Calendara (Fast)

1. Snap a photo of the school calendar
2. AI extracts all events automatically
3. Share with one click
4. Time: 2 minutes

Try Calendara's AI extraction free →

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Summary: Which Sharing Method Should You Use?

Your Situation	Best Method
Mixed iPhone/Android family	Calendara or Google Calendar
All-Apple family	Apple Calendar with Family Sharing
Need to share school calendars fast	Calendara (AI extraction)
Want completely free	Google Calendar
Need shopping lists too	Cozi (paid) or separate app
Extended family needs view access	Any app with link/QR sharing

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Start Sharing Your Family Calendar Today

Stop the "I didn't know about that" conversations.

Get everyone on the same calendar in 5 minutes:

1. Sign up for Calendara free
2. Create a family calendar
3. Add events (or snap a photo of a schedule)
4. Share via QR code or link
5. Done—everyone's in sync

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Questions about sharing calendars? Email gustavo@usecalendara.com - I respond to every message.