I have been a user of Apple’s Calendar app for many years, even with the numerous appealing third-party options available on the App Store. One particular feature found in iOS exemplifies why I find it difficult to make a switch.
iOS Offers Convenient Features of Apple Calendar in Other Applications
While evaluating calendar applications, it’s obvious that several third-party options come packed with more features compared to Apple Calendar.
Fantastical stands out as a personal favorite of mine for its robust offerings aimed at power users, such as scheduling options and calendar sets. A lot of iPhone users prefer Google Calendar or Outlook as they are more tailored to those specific services.
However, Apple’s Calendar app is uniquely designed to integrate seamlessly with the iPhone and iOS, boasting a special built-in feature that I frequently utilize.
Whenever a proposed meeting time and date is sent my way, iOS detects it, allowing Apple Calendar to prompt me with actionable options.
This functionality leverages the iOS ‘data detectors’ framework, which categorizes certain text types on your iPhone as actionable items.
When calendar dates are recognized, tapping the text displays a menu with options such as:
- Add to Calendar
- Add to Reminders
- Show in Calendar
- Copy Event
This feature is something I utilize regularly to efficiently and effectively manage my appointments.
My top two actions from this menu are ‘Show in Calendar’ and ‘Add to Calendar.’
The first option takes you directly into the Calendar app, showcasing the exact day and time highlighted, helping you stay informed about what else is scheduled for that moment.
The second option opens a detailed pop-up, allowing you to create a new event within Calendar without needing to leave your current application.
Both options serve as handy shortcuts, empowering you to swiftly act on any date and time encountered—whether in the Messages app, Apple Mail, or any other iOS application.
In theory, should Apple ever introduce a ‘default app’ feature for calendars, these shortcuts would also work with third-party applications. For now, a practical solution is to add all your various calendars into Apple Calendar solely to benefit from these shortcuts, while still managing your scheduling through your preferred third-party app.
I’ve implemented this approach in the past, but I predominantly prefer the mental clarity that comes from consolidating everything within Apple’s Calendar app for a more integrated experience.
Do you ever find yourself using this feature of Apple Calendar? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments.
