If your online calendar isn’t Google, Outlook, or Apple, you might still be able to back it up with BackupMyCalendar. This guide explains how our service works and what you’ll need from your calendar provider to get started.
How BackupMyCalendar Connects to Your Calendar
BackupMyCalendar is designed to be simple and secure. We connect to your online calendar using a widely supported standard called iCalendar (often seen as an ICS link or a file ending in .ics).
What is an iCalendar link? Think of it as a special, private web address that your calendar service provides. This link allows other applications, like BackupMyCalendar, to read your calendar events. It’s like a “view-only” pass to your calendar. The iCalendar link itself is typically a long, unique URL that is hard to guess, providing a good level of security.
We don’t need your calendar password. You never share your main login details for your calendar service with us.
Read-only access. BackupMyCalendar can only view your event details to create backups. We cannot make any changes, delete events, or add new ones to your original calendar.
Your Key Task: Finding Your Calendar’s iCalendar Link
To use BackupMyCalendar with any compatible calendar, the main thing you need to do is find this special iCalendar (.ics) link from your calendar service.
Since every calendar application has a slightly different interface, the exact steps to find this link can vary. However, here’s what to look for:
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Log in to your calendar service (usually via their website).
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Look for settings related to your specific calendar:
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Often, you’ll find these options by clicking on a gear icon (⚙️), a “…” menu next to your calendar’s name, or in a section like “Share,” “Publish,” or “Integrate.”
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Keywords to search for in your calendar’s settings or help documentation:
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“iCalendar” or “iCal”
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“ICS link” or “ICS feed”
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“Publish calendar”
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“Share calendar” (look for a shareable link option, not just sharing with another user)
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“Calendar address” or “Public address” (ensure it’s for an .ics feed)
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“Subscribe link” (sometimes the link used for others to subscribe is the one you need)
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“Export” (while exporting a one-time file is different, sometimes the subscription link is in the same area)
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What the link looks like: The link will usually end in .ics (e.g., https://calendar.example.com/path/to/your/calendar.ics) or sometimes start with webcal://.
What If My Calendar Doesn’t Offer an iCalendar/.ics Link?
If your calendar service does not provide a way to get an iCalendar (.ics) feed URL, unfortunately, BackupMyCalendar won’t be able to connect to it directly through this method. Most modern online calendars do offer this feature, but it’s always best to check with your specific provider’s help documentation or support.
Once You Have the Link: Adding it to BackupMyCalendar
Once you’ve found and copied your calendar’s .ics link:
Go to your BackupMyCalendar dashboard and sign in.
Look for the add calendar button.
Paste the copied .ics link into the “Calendar URL” (or similarly named) field.
Give your backup a name that helps you identify it (e.g., “My Club Calendar”).
Save the calendar in your BackupMyCalendar account.
Automated Backups: Set It and Forget It
That’s it for the setup! BackupMyCalendar will then automatically:
Regularly visit the .ics link you provided.
Fetch the current events from your calendar.
Save a new backup version according to your plan’s frequency (e.g., hourly for paid plans, weekly for the free plan).
Store these backups securely, following our retention schedule, so you have multiple recovery points.
Restoring Your Calendar Events
If you ever need to restore your calendar (e.g., if you accidentally delete events or your calendar data is lost):
Log in to your BackupMyCalendar dashboard.
Select the backup you want to restore from the list of available snapshots.
Download the backup. This will give you an .ics file.
Import the .ics file into your calendar application. Most calendar programs (including Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar, and many others) have an “Import” function that accepts .ics files.
Why Bother with Backups?
Your calendar often holds crucial information. Automated backups protect you from accidental deletions, data corruption, or other unforeseen issues, ensuring you can always retrieve your important schedule.
Do you feel stuck, or can’t find the iCalendar link for your specific calendar service? Don’t panic! We are here to help. Send us an email with the name of your calendar provider, and we’ll do our best to guide you or let you know if it’s compatible.
