Overview
On Macs, calendar event files (.ics) open in Apple's native Calendar app by default. To change your preferences and open calendar event files in Microsoft Outlook instead, follow the steps below.
Changing the default from Calendar to Outlook calendar
Quick guide
- Open Finder. Double-click on any .ics file to open it.
- By default, Apple Calendar attempts to open the file. Click on Cancel.
- Click on Continue.
- In the top left corner of the Mac desktop, click on Calendar > Preferences…
- In the "Default Calendar App" field, click on Calendar and click on Select…
- Click on Microsoft Outlook and click on Select.
- Close Apple Calendar. Now, .ics files will open in Outlook calendar instead of Apple Calendar.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Open Finder. Double-click on any .ics file to open it.
- By default, Apple Calendar attempts to open the file. Click on Cancel.
- Click on Continue.
- In the top left corner of the Mac desktop, click on Calendar > Preferences…
- In the "Default Calendar App" field, click on Calendar and click on Select…
- Click on Microsoft Outlook and click on Select.
- Close Apple Calendar. Now, .ics files will open in Outlook calendar instead of Apple Calendar.
