Todoist + Google Calendar: Sync Setup Guide

This guide walks you through connecting Todoist with Google Calendar so your tasks and events appear in both places. You’ll learn how to set up the two-way sync, manage which projects show up, and fix common issues. By the end, your deadlines and meetings will live together in one view.

What You’ll Need

• A Todoist account (free or paid; the integration works with both).
• A Google Calendar account (personal or Google Workspace).
• Access to the Todoist web app (todoist.com) or the desktop app—the integration setup is done there, not in the mobile app.
• A stable internet connection.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Todoist settings. In the Todoist web or desktop app, click your avatar in the top-left corner, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.
2. Go to the Integrations tab. In the Settings window, find the Integrations tab on the left sidebar. Click it to see available integrations.
3. Click “Connect” next to Google Calendar. You’ll see a list of apps; find Google Calendar and click the Connect button. A new browser window or pop-up will open asking you to choose a Google account.
4. Select your Google account. Choose the Google account you want to link. If you’re not already signed in, sign in with the account that owns the calendar you want to use.
5. Grant permissions. Google will ask you to allow Todoist to view and manage your calendars. Click Allow to proceed. This is required for the sync to work.
6. Choose your sync direction. After connecting, you’ll see a “Sync direction” dropdown. Select one of these options:
   • Todoist to Google Calendar – Your tasks appear as events in Google Calendar, but calendar events do not become tasks.
   • Google Calendar to Todoist – Your calendar events appear as tasks in Todoist, but tasks do not appear in the calendar.
   • Two-way sync – Changes in either app reflect in the other. This is the most popular choice.
7. Select which projects to sync. If you want all projects to sync, leave the default “All projects” selected. To limit it, choose Selected projects and check the boxes next to the projects you want to include.
8. Choose a calendar (if needed). For two-way sync, you’ll also pick which Google Calendar should receive your tasks. By default, it uses your primary calendar, but you can create a new one or choose an existing one from the dropdown.
9. Save your settings. Click the Save or Done button at the bottom. Todoist will immediately sync your tasks and events.
10. Check the sync. Open Google Calendar and look for your Todoist tasks (they’ll appear as events, often with a Todoist icon). Then open Todoist and see if your calendar events show up as tasks (if you enabled two-way or calendar-to-todoist). If everything looks correct, you’re done.

Common Mistakes

• Not choosing a sync direction. If you leave the default, it might not be what you expect. Always confirm the direction matches your workflow.
• Syncing too many projects. If you sync every project, your calendar gets cluttered with hundreds of tasks. Use the “Selected projects” option to keep it manageable.
• Ignoring due times. Tasks without a specific time (just a date) appear as all-day events. If you want tasks to show at a specific time, set a due time in Todoist.
• Creating duplicate events. If you manually add an event in Google Calendar that also exists as a task in Todoist, you might end up with duplicates. Avoid manually creating the same event in both apps.
• Using multiple Google accounts. If you connect the wrong Google account, you’ll see your tasks in the wrong calendar. Double-check which account you selected during step 4.

Tips

• Use labels to filter. In Google Calendar, Todoist tasks appear with a label or icon. You can create a separate calendar view for just Todoist tasks by using the calendar’s color and visibility settings.
• Set up a dedicated calendar. Instead of mixing tasks with personal events, create a new calendar called “Todoist Tasks” and select it during setup. This makes it easy to toggle tasks on and off.
• Use due times for time-sensitive tasks. If you need to block time for a task, set a due time in Todoist (e.g., 9:00 AM) so it appears as a timed event in Google Calendar.
• Take advantage of sub-tasks. Sub-tasks sync as separate events, which can clutter your calendar. Consider syncing only parent tasks if you don’t need every sub-task visible.
• Reconnect after changing accounts. If you switch Google accounts, you’ll need to disconnect and reconnect the integration in Todoist settings.

Troubleshooting

Tasks aren’t showing up in Google Calendar. First, check that the sync direction is set to “Todoist to Google Calendar” or “Two-way.” Then, verify you’ve selected the correct project(s). If you’re using a specific calendar, make sure it’s visible in Google Calendar (click the three-dot menu next to the calendar name and ensure “Show in list” is checked). Finally, wait a few minutes—the sync is not instant; it can take up to 15 minutes.

Events aren’t appearing in Todoist. If you chose “Google Calendar to Todoist” or “Two-way,” ensure the calendar you’re syncing is the one your events are on. Also, check that the events are not marked as “Free” (Todoist only syncs events that are not all-day “Free” events). If you have a lot of events, it might take a few minutes to appear.

Changes aren’t syncing in real time. The integration syncs periodically, not instantly. If you need immediate updates, you can manually trigger a sync by disconnecting and reconnecting the integration, or by toggling the project sync off and on.

Duplicates appear. This usually happens when you have the same task in Todoist and also an event in Google Calendar that you created manually. Delete the duplicate in one app. To prevent this, avoid creating events that already exist as tasks.

The integration won’t connect. If the “Connect” button doesn’t work, try disabling your ad blocker or pop-up blocker, as they may prevent the Google sign-in window from opening. Also, clear your browser cache and try again.

Tasks are syncing to the wrong Google Calendar. Go back to the integration settings in Todoist and check which calendar is selected. If you have multiple calendars, you might have picked the wrong one during setup. Change it and save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Todoist–Google Calendar integration free?

Yes, the integration is available to all Todoist users, including free accounts. However, some advanced features like two-way sync may be limited to Premium or Business plan users. Check your plan to see what’s available.

Can I sync only certain projects?

Yes, during setup you can choose “Selected projects” and check only the ones you want to sync. You can change this later by going back to the integration settings.

Will my tasks appear as all-day events?

Tasks without a specific due time will appear as all-day events. If you set a due time (e.g., 3:00 PM), the task will appear as a timed event at that time.

How often does the sync happen?

The sync is not real-time. It typically runs every few minutes, but it can take up to 15 minutes for changes to appear. You can force a sync by toggling the integration off and on.

Can I sync my Google Calendar events into Todoist as tasks?

Yes, if you choose the “Google Calendar to Todoist” direction or “Two-way sync,” your calendar events will appear as tasks in Todoist. The task’s due date will match the event’s start time.

What happens if I delete a task in Todoist?

If you have two-way sync enabled, deleting a task in Todoist will also delete the corresponding event in Google Calendar. If you only have one-way sync (Todoist to Google Calendar), deleting the task will not remove the event from your calendar.

Related

• Select Every Third Row? 3 Quick Ways
• Kick Someone Off Your Hulu: Step-by-Step
• Oculus Go VR Headset: What It Is & How It Works