I need to share my calendar with family members from my iPhone but I’m unsure how to do it. I’ve already tried checking settings but didn’t find clear steps. Can someone guide me on the right way to share my iPhone calendar so others can access it?
Oh, sharing your calendar on an iPhone isn’t that complicated once you know where to look. First off, open the Calendar app (not the settings, no wonder you didn’t find much). Select “Calendars” at the bottom. You’ll see a list of all your calendars—tap the little “i” (information) next to the one you want to share. From there, scroll down to “Add Person” under the Shared With section. You’ll need to type in the email address of whoever you wanna share it with—it has to be one linked to iCloud, just FYI.
Once you’ve added them, they’ll get an invite to access the calendar. They accept, and boom! Shared. You can also decide whether they can make changes or just view it. Just toggle that option before sending out the invite.
Oh, and this doesn’t apply to “On My iPhone” calendars—those don’t have a sharing option. So if yours isn’t letting you share, it’s probably not synced to iCloud. Go to your iPhone Settings, tap on your name, head to iCloud, and make sure “Calendars” is toggled on. Problem solved. Seriously, Apple doesn’t make half this obvious.
If you’re trying to share your calendar from iPhone to family members, yeah, @ombrasilente’s advice is solid for iCloud-based calendars. BUT here’s the thing no one mentions—if your family isn’t all-in on Apple (like if they use Android or Outlook), it gets sticky. iCloud sharing doesn’t always play nicely cross-platform.
Now, if you’re in an all-Apple household, no problem, the shared option works great. But if you’re dealing with non-Apple users, consider creating a public calendar link. Here’s how: Go to that same “i” next to the calendar in question and toggle on “Public Calendar.” It’ll generate a shareable link you can send out (like through email or text). Heads up though, this link lets ANYONE with it view your calendar. No invite needed, no privacy options—it’s either fully private or fully public. Annoying, right?
Side note: If you find even THAT doesn’t do the trick, switch to a platform-agnostic app like Google Calendar. Import your iPhone events, then share through Google—it’s just a cleaner route for mixed-tech homes. Not to trash Apple, but sometimes they love keeping you trapped in their ecosystem! 
Alright, so to share your iPhone calendar, both @boswandelaar and @ombrasilente hit some great points, but I think there’s more nuance to address here. Let’s break it down:
PROS of iCloud Calendar Sharing:
- Built-In – It’s a native Apple feature, which means streamlined functionality if everyone’s on iOS/Mac.
- Control Access – You can choose whether someone can edit or only view your calendar, which is neat.
CONS or Potential Issues:
- Apple Ecosystem Lock-In – If family members aren’t rocking an all-Apple setup, this becomes tricky (as mentioned, Android or mixed platforms = hassle).
- Public Calendar Privacy – A public link sounds handy, but it’s like shouting your plans into a megaphone. Anyone with the link can access it, which is… not great if you value privacy.
My Alternative Take:
If your crew is a mix of Apple and non-Apple users, spare yourself the headache and seriously consider Google Calendar or even Microsoft Outlook’s calendar. Migrating events might take a bit of initial effort, but these work seamlessly across all platforms. Google Calendar, for instance, allows for public and private sharing, and permissions are crisp. Bonus? No need to switch apps if you ever hop between iOS and Android.
Now, for those stubborn “On My iPhone” calendars that won’t let you share, here’s a slightly different path:
- Export the Calendar to your iCloud account. This isn’t always straightforward from within the iPhone, so you might need a Mac/PC to sync it properly via Apple Calendar.
- Once it’s synced to iCloud, voilà! You’ll gain access to all the sharing options discussed.
One Controversial Suggestion:
Skip Apple’s Calendar altogether, especially if you’re regularly collaborating with non-techies or mixed devices. Third-party apps like Cozi, Any.do, or even Fantastical can provide better cross-compatibility and family-friendly features. These apps often bring better task management tools alongside calendar sharing.
In Conclusion:
What @ombrasilente said about toggling “Public Calendar” is a fair workaround, but it’s not without risks, so be cautious. Also, @boswandelaar’s mention of switching to Google Calendar for the “cleaner” route—spot on if privacy or ecosystem conflicts are stressing you out.
Pro-tip: If you’re sticking with Apple, make sure you’re comfortable with the limitations and the privacy settings BEFORE inviting others to your personal calendar circus. No one wants awkward family dinners because Aunt Carol saw your surprise party plans by mistake.