Introduction

Integrating Todoist with Google Calendar is an incredibly useful feature for anyone who wants to manage tasks and appointments seamlessly across both platforms. However, one question I get a lot is: how often does Todoist sync with Google Calendar? If you rely on these tools as heavily as I do, knowing when your tasks will appear on your calendar (and vice versa) can be key for keeping everything organized.

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In this post, I’ll walk you through the timing specifics of the Todoist-Google Calendar sync, what affects the sync speed, and a few tips to help you get the most out of this integration.

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How the Sync Works

When you connect Todoist with Google Calendar, the integration allows tasks created in Todoist to automatically appear on your Google Calendar, and changes made to tasks in Google Calendar reflect back in Todoist. This synchronization is bi-directional, meaning that updates made in either app will eventually sync with the other. However, the timing of this sync isn’t always instant.

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Typical Sync Timing: 5–15 Minutes

Under normal circumstances, Todoist syncs with Google Calendar roughly every 5 to 15 minutes. So, if you create a task in Todoist, you can expect to see it on your Google Calendar within that time window, and vice versa. This interval can vary slightly based on a few factors, but in most cases, a 10-minute wait is fairly standard.

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That said, let’s look at a few factors that can impact sync speed.

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Factors That Affect Sync Timing

The sync timing between Todoist and Google Calendar isn’t set in stone, and a few factors can impact how long it takes for your tasks to sync.

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1. Network Stability

If your network connection is slow or spotty, it might delay the sync. Todoist relies on an active internet connection to sync data to Google Calendar, so ensure you’re connected to a stable network for optimal syncing.

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2. Task Volume

If you’re adding or updating many tasks at once, there may be a slight delay as the system processes each task. For instance, if you’re reorganizing your entire to-do list or bulk-adding new tasks, this could extend the sync time slightly.

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3. Platform Constraints

Both Todoist and Google Calendar place certain limitations on sync frequency to manage server load. Todoist’s servers generally update in batches rather than real-time, meaning you might experience a longer sync time if Google or Todoist is experiencing a high volume of users.

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4. Third-Party Integrations

If you have multiple integrations linked to Google Calendar, this can occasionally cause a delay as each service competes for updates. Integrations like Zapier, for instance, may interfere with the sync if they’re managing large data loads across multiple apps.
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Tips for Managing Todoist and Google Calendar Syncing

If you’re looking to optimize how Todoist syncs with Google Calendar, here are a few simple tricks I’ve found helpful.

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1. Manually Trigger a Sync in Todoist

While Todoist doesn’t offer a direct “sync now” button in its interface, you can force a sync by refreshing your Todoist app. On mobile, simply close and reopen the app; on desktop or web, refresh the browser or application. This can sometimes help push any pending updates to Google Calendar.

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2. Adjust Task Start Times Mindfully

Keep in mind that tasks added with exact start times in Todoist will appear at those specific times in Google Calendar. If you’re setting up a long list of tasks with the same start time, stagger them slightly to help ensure they sync correctly without overwhelming your calendar all at once.

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3. Use Subtasks Strategically

To minimize clutter on your Google Calendar, consider grouping smaller actions as subtasks under a main Todoist task. Only the main task will sync to Google Calendar, reducing the number of entries that have to sync over time and keeping your calendar cleaner.

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4. Consider Alternative Integrations for Faster Syncs

If you’re in need of real-time task visibility, using a tool like Zapier to set up more frequent syncs may help. While Zapier isn’t instant either, it can help improve the frequency slightly if you need more control over your integration setup.

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What to Do If Your Sync Isn’t Working

If you’re experiencing major delays (e.g., longer than 15 minutes) or tasks aren’t syncing at all, here are a few troubleshooting tips to try:

1. Check Your Integration Settings: Make sure that the integration is still active within Todoist. Sometimes the authorization between Todoist and Google Calendar can lapse, especially if you’ve changed passwords or security settings recently.
2. Re-Authorize the Connection: Disconnect and reconnect the integration in Todoist. This refreshes the connection and can help eliminate any lingering bugs.
3. Clear Cache and Cookies: If you’re using the web versions of Todoist and Google Calendar, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can sometimes help restore a lagging sync connection.
4. Contact Support: If none of these steps work, reaching out to Todoist or Google support can be beneficial. Todoist has a responsive support team that can often pinpoint the issue if it’s related to the app.

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Making the Most of Todoist & Google Calendar Syncing

Using Todoist alongside Google Calendar is a powerful way to manage tasks and time in one place. And while the sync isn’t always instantaneous, the 5 to 15-minute delay usually works well enough for most needs. By being mindful of factors like network stability and keeping an eye on your task volume, you can help keep sync speeds as smooth as possible.

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Ultimately, Todoist and Google Calendar are both effective on their own, but together, they make an unbeatable team for organizing your schedule and to-dos. Syncing might not always be instant, but with the strategies above, you can streamline your task management without losing track of your busy schedule.
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