Help switching from Windows phone (Contacts and Calendars)

[poit57]

I am trying to configure a new Android phone after using Windows since Windows Phone 7 first launched.

I had signed into my Outlook.com account, hoping that it would sync my contacts and calendars. The Calendar app, as far as I can tell, doesn't look like it supports anything other than my Google account. I have my Microsoft calendar available it set up in the Outlook app, but I don't know if I can configure that app as the default calendar for the phone.

The Contacts app kept showing a sync error for my Outlook.com account. I tried removing the account and starting over, but each time I add the Outlook account, a message tells me the account was added previously. The phone will not re-add the Outlook account to my list of configured accounts.

Question#1: Can my Outlook.com calendar be configured in the default Calendar app?

Question#2: Without factory resetting this new phone, is there a way to re-add my Outlook account without an error message that the account is already added?

 

[poit57]

I got Question#2 resolved. I had previously installed Cortana, so removing my account from that app allowed me to re-add the Outlook account. After re-adding my Outlook account, the Contacts app still gives me a sync error.

Update: This post explained that the Outlook app needs to have contact syncing enabled for the Outlook account. My contacts are now synced to the phone, but I still need help regarding the Outlook calendar. Can it be configured to be the phone's default calendar outside of the Outlook app.

 

[poit57]

I finally got the calendars working with my Google calendar, but it was much more hassle than I expected. Or maybe I'm just spoiled with how Windows integrates contacts and calendars from other services.

With Windows, you can add an account (Google, iCloud, Outlook, etc.) right to the phone's "Email and accounts" settings. Then the contacts are automatically available in the "People" app, email is available in the Outlook Mail app, and the calendars are available in the Outlook Calendar app. After logging into the Facebook app, events and birthdays also show up in the Outlook Calendar app.

With Android, I had to generate an .ics link for the Outlook and Facebook calendars from each of those services, use calendar.google.com to add the calendar from each URL, then go into the calendar app on the phone and toggle syncing on for each of those subscribed calendars.

The accounts are now syncing all the information I need. Now its just a matter of customizing the interface to my liking. I've tried a few Windows-themed launchers, but I actually like the Microsoft Arrow launcher the best so far.

 

[davidD93]

I'm in exactly the same position as you were, exact I can't work by your descriptions above how to resolve the problems as you did. Please go into more detail for my slow brain

 

[davidD93]

I've manager to sync my contacts, so halfway there. Still cannot work out how to sync/import (outlook) calendar. Ways explained on the internet seem not to work anymore.

 

[aximtreo]

Don't know if this will be of help but I use a program called Akruto. I have used it to sync WM, Android and Apple devices to my Outlook Calendar and Contacts. Just a thought to help out.

 

[nuangel2]

I just bought akruto but I am having trouble setting it up