Opening .ics files on iPhone or iPad

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Level 1

23 points

Opening .ics files on iPhone or iPad

Hello, I am trying to open an .ics file from an email attachment on my iPhone or iPad. I need to add the file to my calendar as an event. When I tap on the file it opens a pop up which looks like it recognises the file type because it opens a preview showing a calendar slot but from within this I can’t do anything useful with the file, there is even a button to delete the event. I can’t open it in the calendar app or any other useful app via the share button. There is no option to open it in safari and sharing it with other apps just sends the file, there is no app I can open it with. I don’t have a MacBook and I really need my appointments on my phone from work and a lot of the time they are shared using .ics files. This seems like it should be the most basic function of a phone or iPad Pro to perform so I would appreciate if someone could tell me if IOS is capable of processing .ics files and if so how to do it. Thanks :)

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 14

Posted on Aug 15, 2021 11:39 AM

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Answer 1

kamote0628

Community Specialist

Aug 16, 2021 8:33 AM in response to Roselman1

Hi Roselman1, We appreciate you reaching out to us. We understand that you are experiencing issues opening an .ics file on Calendar.

We recommend updating your iPhone if you haven’t. While it isn't inherently assured that an update will resolve the issue, updating to the latest version of iOS for your device can help isolate potential software issues. Kindly secure a backup and update.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Also, we’d like to gather additional details that may help us be in a better position to assist you.

What happens after you tap on the .ics file on your email? Are you redirected to the Calendar app immediately?

Do you get a dropdown set of options if you tap and hold on the the .ics file on your email?

Have you had the chance to try a different .ics file from a different source? If yes, are you experiencing a similar behavior?

These details may provide us with some insights.

Take care!

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Answer 2

Roselman1 Author

Level 1

23 points

Aug 17, 2021 7:20 AM in response to kamote0628

I am on the latest version of iOS (14.5.1). After I tap on the .ics file it opens to view the appointment but there is no option to add it to my calendar. The only options I get are to share the file (but not with the calendar app or safari). When I share with email it just adds the file as an attachment to the email. When I long press it gives me the option to open or share again but nothing to add to calendar. I have tried with another .ics file and I also can’t get that one to work.

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Answer 3

kamote0628

Community Specialist

Aug 20, 2021 6:35 AM in response to Roselman1

Roselman1,

Thank you for keeping us posted. We recommend that you reach out to us here so we can take a closer look into the issue: Get Support

Take care!

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Answer 4

Aug 17, 2021 7:29 AM in response to Roselman1

It’s possible the ICS file is mis-formatted or corrupted.

Seeing HTML tags in the note section is… somewhat unusual, too.

iOS and iPadOS 14.7.1 is current, not 14.5.1.

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Opening .ics files on iPhone or iPad

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