Welcome to OurCal
Welcome to OurCal – the easiest way to organize your life and coordinate with the people that matter most! This quick start guide will walk you through setting up your account, creating your first group, and mastering all the key features.
Getting Started
Download the App & Create Your Account
- Download OurCal from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- The welcome screen gives you three options: Create Group, Join Group, or Log In.
- New to OurCal? Choose Create Group or Join Group — you’ll sign up with Apple, Google, or your email address as part of the flow.
- If you already have an account, tap Log In and check your email for a verification code. Make sure you check your Spam and Promotions folders if you don’t see it. Enter the code in the app to confirm your account.
Create Your First Group
- Tap Create Group on the welcome screen.
- Sign up with Apple, Google, or your email address and enter your name.
- Customise your group with a name and emoji.
- Note: Empty groups are automatically deleted, so no need to manually remove unused ones.
- Invite others by sharing your group’s invite link. (Only one subscription is required per group — all group members benefit.)
Add Your First Event
- Press the + icon at the top right of the calendar, then tap New Event.
- Use Quick Entry by typing natural phrases like “Lunch on Friday at 12pm 1hr” — OurCal will do the rest!
- Tap a date and event to view or edit event details.
Calendaring Together
Invite Others to Your Calendar
- Tap the Groups icon in the top right, open a group and tap the Invite Members icon in the top right.
- Share the generated join link with others.
Join an Existing Group
- Receive a join link from someone you know.
- Open the link and tap Join Group, then follow the instructions to download the app, create your account, and join.
Schedules vs Calendar Views
- Schedules: View members’ schedules in Settings → Schedules.
- Calendar: See all events in one shared calendar.
- Choose whose events you see with the Filter button at the bottom of the calendar.
Seamless Communication
Chat in OurCal
- Event thread: Tap a date → event → type in the chat bar at the bottom. You will also see all event updates here.
- Group thread: In Groups, open a group to view and message in the full group thread. You will also see all group updates here.
Sync and Share
Sync External Calendars
- Sync an external calendar, including Google, Microsoft, or Apple calendars: Settings → Synced Calendars.
- Note: Synced events are view-only and do not have an event thread in OurCal (due to third-party restrictions).
Export Events
- Export your group events externally via Settings → Privacy & Security → Export Events.
Share Your Availability
- Share your Busy status with specific groups — without exposing private event details.
- Manage this in Settings → Availability Sharing.
Customize Your Calendars
- Create multiple custom calendars with different colors — included with your group’s subscription.
- Manage them in Settings → Calendars:
- Add or edit calendars.
- Set defaults, alert preferences, and delete if needed.
Managing Your Account
Update Your Profile
- Change your name or profile picture: Settings → Me. (Open Settings by tapping your profile picture in the top left.)
Manage Notifications
- Tailor event reminders and chat alerts: Settings → Notifications.
Stay Private & Secure
- OurCal uses end-to-end encryption for maximum privacy.
- Manage authentication methods and view security settings in Settings → Privacy & Security.
App Updates
- Check for the latest app updates under Settings or your app store.
- Enable automatic updates via your device settings.
Group Settings
- Edit group name, emoji, and membership in Settings → Groups.
- Leave groups easily; empty groups are deleted automatically.
Advanced Features
Home Screen Widgets
Easily access your calendar:
- iOS: Long-press Home Screen → Tap Add → Select OurCal widget.
- Android: Long-press Home Screen → Widgets → Select OurCal widget.
Need More Help?
Check out our detailed support articles:
Still have questions?
Open the app → Settings → Help & Feedback, or email us at hi@ourcal.com.
🎉You're now ready to get started with OurCal!
