Open Settings and find the default apps section

Your iPhone lets you pick which calendar app opens when you tap a calendar link or ask Siri to create an event. To change this, open the Settings app on your home screen, then scroll down and tap Apps. This section controls which app handles different types of tasks — email, browser, maps, and calendar among them.

Once you're in Apps, look for Default Apps near the bottom of the menu. Tap it to see all the categories where you can set a default. Calendar is listed here alongside Mail, Browser, Maps, and others. The app currently set as default will have a checkmark or show its name next to the category.

Select a different calendar app from your installed options

When you tap Calendar in the Default Apps menu, your iPhone shows every calendar app you have installed. The built-in Apple Calendar is always available. If you've installed third-party calendar apps like Google Calendar, Outlook, or Fantastical, they appear in this list too.

Tap the app you want to use as your default. The change takes effect when ready — you don't need to restart your phone or confirm anything. From that moment on, calendar links in emails, messages, and web pages will open in the app you selected, and Siri will create events there when you ask it to.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default calendar app is set in Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calendar, and you can change it anytime without restarting your phone.
  • Only calendar apps you have already installed on your iPhone appear in the default apps list.
  • Changing your default calendar affects where calendar links open and where Siri creates events when you use voice commands.
  • Apple Calendar is always available as an option, even if you've installed other calendar apps.
  • The change applies across your entire phone — emails, text messages, web links, and Siri all use your new default when ready.

What happens when you tap a calendar link after changing your default

Once you've set a new default calendar app, any calendar link you encounter will open in that app instead of Apple Calendar. This includes links in emails, text messages, Safari, and other apps. If someone sends you an event invitation as a link, it will now open in your chosen app.

The same applies when you use Siri. If you say "Create an event called Team Meeting at 2 PM tomorrow," Siri will create that event in your default calendar app, not in Apple Calendar. This makes your workflow consistent — everything lands in the same place.

Installing a different calendar app if you don't see it in the list

If you want to use a calendar app that isn't showing up in your default apps list, you need to install it first. Open the App Store, search for the calendar app you want, and tap Get, then Install. You'll need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.

Once the app finishes installing and appears on your home screen, go back to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calendar. The newly installed app will now appear in the list, and you can select it as your default. Some calendar apps like Google Calendar and Outlook require you to sign in with your account after installation, but you can do that before or after setting them as default.

Switching back to Apple Calendar if you change your mind

You can change your default calendar app as many times as you want. If you install a new app, use it for a while, and then decide you prefer Apple Calendar, just go back to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calendar and select Apple Calendar from the list. The switch happens when ready.

Changing your default app does not delete any events or data from your other calendar apps. If you had events in Google Calendar or Outlook, they stay there even if you switch your default to Apple Calendar. You're only changing which app opens by default — the other apps remain on your phone with all their data intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default calendar delete events from my old calendar app?

No. Changing your default calendar only affects which app opens when you tap a calendar link or use Siri. All your events stay in their original apps. If you had 50 events in Google Calendar, they remain there even after you switch your default to Apple Calendar.

Can I use multiple calendar apps at the same time?

Yes. You can have several calendar apps installed and switch between them manually whenever you want. Setting a default just means that app opens automatically when you tap a link or use Siri — it doesn't prevent you from opening other calendar apps by tapping their icons on your home screen.

What if a calendar app I want to use doesn't appear in the default apps list?

The app either isn't installed yet or doesn't support being set as a default. Check the App Store to see if it's available for your iPhone. Some older or simpler calendar apps don't have the ability to be set as default, even if they're installed. The app's description in the App Store usually mentions this feature.

Does changing my default calendar affect my work email calendar?

If your work email is set up in Apple Mail, your work calendar events sync through Apple Calendar by default. Changing your default calendar app doesn't change where your work email calendar data lives — it only changes which app opens when you tap a calendar link. Your work events will still sync to Apple Calendar unless you've specifically added your work account to a different app.