Apple iPhone uses iCloud Contacts and Calendars to store new contacts and entries by default. However, the system does not limit you to iCloud only. You can easily sync Outlook contacts and calendars to your iPhone and set them as default.
Many users who want a reliable client prefer Outlook for saving new contacts and calendar entries. Windows users also opt for Outlook for tight PC integration. Unlike Android, Apple has made it easier to sync Outlook contacts and calendars on iPhone.
Add an Outlook account in settings
To easily sync contacts and calendar entries to your iPhone, you need to add your Microsoft Outlook account first. For this, you will need to include your Outlook email account in the Settings app and sync contacts and calendars.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
2nd step: Scroll down to Contacts.
Step 3: Accounts opened.
Step 4: Select Add account.
Step 5: Tap Outlook in the next menu.
Step 6: Sign in with your Microsoft account details.
Step 7: Enable the toggle for Outlook account contacts and calendars.
Contacts app
Then you can open the Contacts app on your iPhone and check all your Outlook contact details.
Step 1: Open Contacts and select Lists in the top right corner.
2nd step: You can check the Outlook menu. Expand it to find all listings.
Calendar app
After a few minutes, the Outlook calendar will sync with your iPhone. You can use the default Calendar app on iPhone to check your events and meeting details.
Step 1: Launch Calendar on iPhone.
2nd step: Tap Calendars at the bottom.
Step 3: Check Outlook calendars and enable the checkmark next to them.
Set Outlook as the default account to save contacts and events
The above steps only sync Outlook contacts and calendars to your iPhone. You will need to change the default iCloud account to Outlook for the Contacts and Calendar app. Follow the steps below to make changes.
Change the default account for contacts
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
2nd step: Scroll down to Contacts.
Step 3: Select Default account.
Step 4: Select Outlook from the next menu.
Change the default account for the calendar
Step 1: Launch Settings on the iPhone.
2nd step: Open the calendar.
Step 3: Select Default calendar.
Step 4: Select one of the Outlook calendars.
Customize Outlook Calendar on iPhone
After adding the Outlook calendar on your iPhone, you can customize the color of the calendar by following the steps below.
Step 1: Open your calendars on iPhone (refer to the steps above).
2nd step: Tap the info button next to your default Outlook calendar.
Step 3: Open Color and select a relevant color to differentiate your main calendar from others.
Add Outlook calendar widget to home screen
Calendar widgets allow you to check upcoming Outlook calendar entries from the home screen.
Step 1: Long press on your iPhone home screen.
2nd step: Select the + icon in the upper left corner.
Step 3: Scroll down to Calendar.
Step 4: There are five widgets. Add your favorite widget to the home screen.
With iOS 16, you can add calendar widgets to the lock screen.
Use Outlook app on iPhone
Microsoft offers the Outlook app on Android and iOS. It is one of the best messaging alternatives on iPhone. If you’re used to the desktop Outlook interface, you’ll feel right at home with the Outlook mobile apps.
Now that Apple lets you change the default mail app on your iPhone, it’s easier than ever to use Outlook for your email and calendar needs. Follow the steps below to download, set up, and use default Outlook on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the App Store and search for the Outlook app.
2nd step: Open Outlook and sign in with your Microsoft account details.
Step 3: The app syncs your emails and calendar entries. Let’s set it as default.
Step 4: Launch Settings on the iPhone.
Step 5: Scroll down to Mail.
Step 6: Select “Default Mail Application” and tap on Outlook.
Save Outlook Contacts on iPhone
The default Outlook app also saves all contacts on your iPhone. If you want to import Outlook contacts to your device, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Download Outlook and sign in with your email id and password (refer to the steps above).
2nd step: Tap the Home icon in the upper right corner.
Step 3: Open Outlook Settings.
Step 4: Select your Outlook account.
Step 5: Enable the “Save Contacts” toggle and save all your contacts to your iPhone.
Manage your Outlook account on iPhone
All in all, there are several ways to manage your Outlook contacts and calendars on iPhone. You can use Outlook with the default apps or the dedicated app to sync emails, contacts, and calendars.