Does Google Calendar Backup Itself?
Google stores your calendar on its servers, but you get no backup file from it. A deleted calendar, a hacked account or a locked account can cost you events.
A backup file in ICS format restores events in Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar and Thunderbird. Three routes create that file.
| Method | Schedule | Output | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Takeout | Every 2 months for 1 year | ZIP with ICS files | Free |
| Calendar export | Manual | ZIP with ICS files | Free |
| Backup software | Daily, weekly or monthly | ICS, PST, PDF and more | Paid after demo |
How do You Schedule a Calendar Backup With Google Takeout?
Method #1: Google Takeout Scheduled Export (Free)
Who it suits. Personal Google Account users. Extra application. None.
- Open takeout.google.com and sign in.
- Select Deselect all, then select Calendar.
- Select Next step.
- Under Export type, choose Export every 2 months for 1 year.
- Choose a file type, an archive size and a destination.
- Select Create export.
Google states that Takeout creates the first archive right away and then one every 2 months for one year. That gives you six archives, so set a reminder to schedule again after a year.
Heads Up. Google says Advanced Protection accounts get their archive two days later. Work and school accounts can face limits set by an administrator too.
How do You Export Google Calendar by Hand?
Method #2: Calendar Export (Free)
Who it suits. Users who need a backup file today. Extra application. None.
- Open the calendar on a computer.
- Select Settings and then Settings again.
- Select Import & export.
- Under Export, select Export.
- Open the downloaded ZIP file to see one ICS file for every calendar.
Google Help states that you can export only on a computer, and you need the Make changes and manage sharing permission. Our Google Calendar to ICS guide shows the same steps with screenshots.
How do You Automate the Backup With Software?
Method #3: Backup Software (Paid After Demo)
Who it suits. Users and teams who want daily or weekly files. Extra application. Gmail Backup Tool.
Gmail Backup Tool connects to your Google account and saves calendar data as ICS files. You set a daily, weekly or monthly schedule, and an incremental option saves only new items.
- Install the software and sign in with your Google account.
- Select ICS in the format list.
- Select a destination folder.
- Set the schedule and start the backup.
Test the demo with one account before you schedule the full backup.
Where should You Store the Backup?
- Store one copy on an external drive.
- Save another copy in cloud storage outside your Google account.
- Check the ICS file by importing it into a test calendar once a quarter.
Our guide to migrate Google Calendar to Outlook shows how to open an ICS backup in Outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Google Calendar Backup Automatically?
Not by itself. Google Takeout schedules exports for one year, and backup software can save daily or weekly.
How Frequently should You Backup a Calendar?
Weekly suits most people. Use a daily schedule when events shift all day, as in a team calendar.
What Format does a Google Calendar Backup Use?
Google exports calendars as ICS files inside a ZIP. ICS is the standard format, and Outlook and Apple Calendar import it.
Can You Export Google Calendar From a Phone?
No. Google states that you can export only on a computer.
Does Takeout Include Shared Calendars?
Takeout includes calendars in your account. Export a shared calendar from its own settings, and you need the permission to manage it.
How do You Restore a Google Calendar Backup?
Open Import & export in calendar settings, select the ICS file and choose the calendar. Import the ICS files one by one.
Do Work and School Accounts have Limits?
Yes, sometimes. Administrators can restrict export, so ask your administrator when the option is missing.
Author's Verdict
Schedule Takeout today, because it costs nothing and creates a file within hours.
Add backup software when you need daily files, and store one copy outside Google.
Key Takeaways
- Your calendar has no built in daily backup.
- Takeout schedules six archives over one year.
- Backup software automates daily and weekly files.