How to Change the Default Calendar on the iPhone 15: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Change the Default Calendar on Your iPhone 15

So, you’ve got events, reminders, and all that good stuff happening, and you want your iPhone to work seamlessly with your favourite calendar app? Changing the default calendar on an iPhone 15 isn’t complicated, but for some reason, it can feel a bit tricky at first. Once you switch, all your new events will automatically go to your preferred calendar app—because, let’s face it, not everyone is a fan of the stock Apple Calendar.

What Does This Change Actually Do?

Switching your default calendar simply tells your iPhone where to save new events. You can stick with Apple’s Calendar, or if you prefer something else like Google Calendar or Outlook, you can set that up instead. It’s all about making your schedule easier to manage and keeping everything organised in one spot, instead of scattering events across different apps.

Time to Dive Into the Settings

Tap on the Settings icon, which looks like a little gear. You’ll usually find it on your Home screen. Once you’re in, scroll through the options until you find Calendar. It’s tucked away among other apps like Mail and Notes.

Finding the Right Setting

Within the Calendar settings, look for Default Calendar. Tap on it, and a list of all your installed calendar apps will appear. This is where you choose which calendar will be the default for new entries. Pick carefully—you won’t want to be changing this every other week!

Select Your Favourite Calendar

Now, choose from options like Apple, Google, or any other connected calendar accounts. Just tap your preferred one, and it’s set! Once done, creating new events will be a breeze, and your schedule stays tidy. Many users say this little change makes organising their week much smoother.

Extra Tips for a Smooth Setup

Adding Accounts: If your desired calendar isn’t showing up, head to Settings > Calendar > Accounts. Tap Add Account to log in to Google, Outlook, or other services.
Sync Your Calendars: Don’t forget to toggle on Calendars in the account settings to ensure everything syncs properly.
Permissions: Make sure your calendar app has permission to access your calendar via Settings > Privacy > Calendars.
Quick Access: To find your calendar settings faster, swipe down on your Home screen and type Calendar in the search bar.

What Happens After You Switch?

Once you’ve set your default calendar, things like using Siri to schedule events or tapping to create new ones will now automatically save to that calendar. It’s much simpler. Just keep in mind, switching the default doesn’t move your existing events—you’re just choosing where new ones will go from now on.

Keep Your Setup Seamless

Before finalising your choice, check if the calendar app you want is installed. If it’s not, head to the App Store and download it. And remember, changing your default calendar is easy—if you want to switch back later, just go into Settings and choose again. No stress.

FAQs on Changing Default Calendars

What about events I’ve already added?

No worries. Those events stay where they are. Switching the default just affects new entries you create moving forward.

Can I set different defaults for different apps?

Not quite. iPhones only allow one default calendar at a time. However, you can organise your events within each calendar service if needed.

Will shared calendars be impacted?

Nope. Your shared calendars remain unchanged. Only new events will follow your new default setting.

Does changing the default affect my access to the Apple Calendar?

Not at all. The Apple Calendar is still available—it’s just not your default, so new events won’t automatically save there unless you choose to.

Will I need to redo notifications?

Possibly. Notifications are set per app, so after switching, check your notification settings in the new app to make sure everything’s working as you like.

Wrapping It Up

Tweaking your default calendar helps tailor your device to suit your lifestyle. Whether you’re sticking with Google, Outlook, or another service, getting this right makes organising your day a lot easier. And if you decide to change it later, it’s straightforward—your iPhone’s settings are flexible.

Just a quick tip: if you use multiple calendars, setting the right default can save you plenty of time down the track.