I recently started using a new OSX Leopard install, and wanted to move my iCal calendar without migrating my entire account, or using a sync method. To be fair, I probably could have used a sync method such as mobile me, or the iPhone, or whatever, but I chose the challenge of learning how to transfer an iCal calendar without any syncing, just moving some files.
The answer is in two files and a folder. You need to move two files:
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iCal.plist
~/Library/Preferences/iCalExternalSync.plist
replace ~ with the path to your account, example:
/Users/your-user-name-here/Library/Preferences/iCalExternalSync.plist
You also need to copy the contents of this folder:
~/Library/Calendars/
To be safe, make a copy of both your old and new files first, then remove the existing two files, and the contents of ~/Library/Calendars/ in our new install, replace these with the files from your old install, and then repair permissions when you are done.
This worked flawlessly for me.
Have fun.
Added by David Jan 2010:
On Snow Leopard, it’s much easier to do this. With iCal open go to File > Export on the computer whose calendar you want to copy. Then save the file to your network, a flash drive, or your desktop and email it to yourself. On your second mac, open up iCal and go to File > Import. It’s as easy as that. I went nuts trying to find that com.apple.iCal file with no luck, only to find they’ve made this easier in Snow Leopard. Hope this helps someone out there.
Tags: calendar, how to, iCal, iCalExternalSync, Mac, OSX, sync
8 Comments
It worked for me too. thanks
Thanks for this! Worked like a charm…
Clear, concise, accurate instructions. Thank you.
i cannot locate com.apple.iCal.plist from my old mac pro. i tried to spot light it but couldnt locate it.
anyway to transfer i cal to my new imac?
thanks
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’ve been searching tirelessly all day for a quick fix to this problem, and this finally worked! So easy! I finally have my life back with my iCal dates restored!
On Snow Leopard, it’s much easier to do this. With iCal open go to File > Export on the computer whose calendar you want to copy. Then save the file to your network, a flash drive, or your desktop and email it to yourself. On your second mac, open up iCal and go to File > Import. It’s as easy as that. I went nuts trying to find that com.apple.iCal file with no luck, only to find they’ve made this easier in Snow Leopard. Hope this helps someone out there.
THanks, I found this very helpful to transfer my iCAL from one mac to another using OSX 10.6.3
If you use a flash drive, there’s no need to eMail it to yourself. Just import it from the flash drive.
Post a Comment