Why Do I See Unfamiliar Events on My Google Calendar?

If you've noticed events on your Google Calendar that you didn't add, there are several potential reasons for this. Here, we'll explore these possibilities and provide practical solutions to manage or resolve them.

Shared Calendars

One common reason for seeing unfamiliar events is the inclusion of shared calendars. Shared calendars allow multiple users to view and add events, which might include items added by co-workers, family members, or friends. To see if any shared calendars are currently active on your Google Calendar, simply check the list of calendars on the left side of the app or website.

Public Calendars

Another cause of unfamiliar events could be your subscription to public calendars. Public calendars often include relevant events like holidays, sports teams, or community activities. These events are automatically added to your Google Calendar if you have subscribed to them. To manage public calendars, you can go to the Settings or Subscriptions section and review which public calendars you are subscribed to.

Spam or Junk Events

Security concerns are another reason for these events. Someone with access to your email or calendar could be adding unauthorized events to your calendar. To protect your account from unauthorized access, it’s essential to check your account’s security settings. Verify that your account has not been compromised.

Third-party Apps

If you use any third-party apps that sync with your Google Calendar, these apps could be the source of unfamiliar events. Examples include scheduling apps or tools that manage your appointments. To ensure these apps aren't adding unauthorized events, review the list of connected apps in your Google account settings and disable or disconnect any unauthorized apps.

Accidental Additions

It's also possible that events were accidentally added by you or someone else with access to your calendar. Double-check your activity logs if you suspect this to be the case.

Managing Unfamiliar Events

To effectively manage these events, you can take the following steps:

Check Calendar Settings: Regularly review your calendar settings to ensure you are aware of all linked calendars and subscriptions. Review Shared Calendars: If you have shared calendars, check the added events and adjust permissions as needed. Adjust Permissions: If you find that you don't need access to certain calendars, remove them from your view. Unsubscribe from Unwanted Public Calendars: If you subscribed to public calendars but no longer need them, unsubscribe from those calendars. Change Password and Enable Two-Factor Authentication: If you suspect that your account has been compromised, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication for added security.

By following these steps, you can prevent and manage unwanted events on your Google Calendar, ensuring that your schedule remains up-to-date and accurate.