Microsoft has begun inviting Mac users to try its new Google Calendar and Contacts support in Outlook 2016 by downloading and installing the application from its preview site.

Up until now, many of Outlook's more advanced email features have only been available to users with an Outlook.com, Office 365 or Exchange email address. This week's global rollout means anyone with a Gmail account can take advantage of several of Outlook's advanced features, including Focused Inbox and richer experiences for travel reservations and package deliveries.

Outlook 2016 for Mac adds support for Google Calendar and Contacts 1
Previously only available to Microsoft's Office Insider Fast Community, the new updates support all the core actions and enable anyone to add, delete, and edit events in a Google Calendar through Outlook for Mac. All changes update between the desktop software and Gmail or Outlook for iOS, ensuring everything is synced across devices.

Anyone who wants to try Outlook for Mac with their Google Account and test drive the new updates should visit the Microsoft preview website and click the Download button. This will install the latest preview version of Outlook 2016 for Mac, which can be used until June 30, 2017.

Outlook users signed up to Office 365 who want to test the features need to join the Insider Fast community, by opening Outlook, clicking Help > Check for Updates, and following these directions.

Top Rated Comments

chucker23n1 Avatar
115 months ago
Google calendar is cross platform. iCal isn’t.
iCal is absolutely cross-platform. iCloud's calendars are CalDAV.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
115 months ago
That changes nothing.
Outlook is cross platform or not, please answer yes or no.
iCal is cross platform or not, please answer yes or no.

I cannot, I repeat cannot use iCal on Windows 8 regardless of what protocols it supports.
And you cannot (repeat cannot) use Google Calendar on macOS or Windows at all, by that logic, because it's a Web app. That's clearly not what's being discussed.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sguser Avatar
115 months ago
iCloud support is coming as well. The Insider Fast builds show iCloud as one of the providers when setting up a new account. But that feature doesn't seem to work yet.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
115 months ago
Why would they have Mac users test Google Calendar support instead of focusing on iCal support first?
I would think because google calendar is more universal then iCal.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
115 months ago
CalDAV is cross platform, Outlook is cross platform. iCal is NOT.
Um, Calendar (née iCal) is a client. This thread is clearly about using Outlook as a client to connect to servers. Apple's server would be either macOS Calendar Server or iCloud, both of which use CalDAV.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jadot Avatar
115 months ago
That changes nothing.
Outlook is cross platform or not, please answer yes or no.
iCal is cross platform or not, please answer yes or no.

I cannot, I repeat cannot use iCal on Windows 8 regardless of what protocols it supports.
Just like you cannot (repeat cannot) use Mac Mail in windows but you can (repeat can) collect your iCloud email messages. You're confusing client with various server protocols.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....