Is iCloud compatible with Outlook 2016?

Done. I sent the following feedback to Apple:

PLEASE provide an update for iCloud that works with Outlook 2016!

I selected the iPhone because of iCloud’s ability to sync with Outlook. And although iCloud has a MAJOR flaw based on my usage, I’m thankful for it.

(To name the iCloud flaw, I use each "Reminder" as a Task. Each Reminder has a Notes section. I have LOTS of text within the Notes of each Reminder. The flaw is that when I input more text than the screen shows, I can't see the text I'm trying to change! If you input more text in the Notes section than the screen shows & try to edit it, you’ll see what I mean. I think a solution would be to allow the text to scroll so that when the keyboard opens)

It is not right to leave so many customers handing without a real solution/update to resolve this very important matter.

I ran the compatibility tool since the updater to iCloud 5 was my particular issue (over a more or less* working iCloud 4.1 with Outlook 2016 on Windows 10).

It required me to log out of Outlook 2016.

The issue is it stops with unexpected error code 2343 which is NERR_CommDevInUse

Meaning This device is already in use as a communication device.

Then it rolls back the install update and suggests to try again later.

I ran it in compatibility mode and tried all 4 pathways to a potential solution (basically running in Windows XP SP3 mode). This resulted in no change to the situation so I reported it to Microsoft with their final compatibility solution gateway.

*This is the error code I also get when I try to set up iCloud contacts, Calendars and Tasks in Outlook, which also requires Outlook 2016 to be shut down.

Bump.....were still waiting for a resolution to the icloud / outlook 2016 compatability problems.

After reading a few different posts within this,and other similar named threads it seems like a few people actually had icloud working with outlook 2016 untill icloud 5. Could it be the way outlook 2016 was set up (fresh install rather than upgrade), so is it a slight problem at the microsoft end as well as at apple?

Anyway as a few others have stated Apple tech staff dont apperently read or are not allowed to read and comment on posts on this discussions site. So please if youre having any problem with iCloud / Outlook 2016 send feed back to Apple via :

http://www.apple.com/feedback/icloud.html

Apple may then sit up and take notice if they get deluged with similar feedback.

Why not copy and paste what member Uwe Grunewald sent them - see his post on pg 9 of this thread (and im sure he wont mind me copying his comments sent via feedback here for your own use):

"When will iCloud for Windows support Outlook 2016? The number of annoyed users is growing every day by 1.000 or more.

It can't be that hard to communicate, that the problem is known and addressed.

Getting iCloud for Windows 5.0 out recently w/o solving the minor Outlook 2016 compatibility issue is a shame and a major disconnect of the worlds largest software ecosystems."

You can modify it if you so wish, but his comments say it all really.

But lets all keep the pressure on them by sending in feed back.

Besomdave,

Like the many others on this string, iCloud automatically updated to version 5.0 and all **** broke loose. Version 4.0 was working fine with Outlook 16. Uninstalling 5.0, "cleaning" the Windows 10 registry, and re-installing version 4.0 does no good either.

This is shameful that Apple has created a major SNAFU and is not addressing this matter. Putting "not compatible with Outlook 16" is not a solution...

We look foward to prompt actions by Apple, as many of us have seen our productivity go down the drain due to this major mishap.

Best,

mfranca

What Apple needs to think about is what this does to customer retention. I am but one customer, but this one customer will soon have a big decision to make, iPad Pro or Surface Pro. It's going to be one or the other. I have been using Office since its inception, and will NOT be changing that. If iPad Pro will work with Office 2016 when it is released, that will be my choice. If not, I'll be switching to Surface Pro and my next phone will be a Windows phone, not another iPhone. So Apple take note, it's up to you to do something about customer retention, and this is not looking good.

As far as them reading the posts in here, they do. I can say this as a fact, for if you post something you're not supposed to, like mistakenly posting info from beta, it's gone pretty fast. So Apple, we know you see this, and this is your final notice to address this.

After a lot of trial and error I found I can run Office 2016 with Outlook 2013 on my Windows 10 computer running iCloud Control Panel 5.0.2.61. After Apple comes out with an update to iCloud Control Panel that is compatible with Outlook 2016 I will update Outlook on my computers to Outlook 2016.

With regard to mfrancas post:

A lot of people here were having problems with Icloud v4.(whatever) for Windows and Oulook 2016 BEFORE icloud 5 was rolled out - see all the previous posts on this thread, and on other similar threads in the forum, dated earlier than the roll out of icloud 5.

Yep someone may well read the posts (and remove them) but it doesnt mean the info being discussed is getting to the right people in the Appe organisiation.

When i get a minute Im goona set up a seperate thread regarding the icloud for windows / outlook 2016 problem encouraging all people with this problem to contact apple feed back - as in my last post here. Lets see if it stays up.

D

OK so after hours of reading and searching my solution was to downgrade to Office 2013, all working now. I was using Office 2016 (365) and icloud 5 on Windows 10 Pro.

On their iCloud for Windows Support Page, Apple now sneers us, saying: If you use Outlook 2016, you can access iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendars on iCloud.com." What a great advise and shame!

However, on this page, you can indicate, if the information was helpful or not. Press "No" (logically) and try to use the comment filed to tell Apple what you think. Here is what I wrote:

It does not help at all to mention, that Outlook 2016 user CAN use iCloud.com!!! Ten thousands of frustrated customers are waiting since months, that you provide compatibility with Outlook 2016, which isn't a big deal/effort! At least let us know as to when we can expect this little fix!

@All here is my next "big thing" - do the same, but don't necessarily copy my text 😉 Haven't got any non-delivery reports so far...

I am not willing to accept the current situation anymore nor exercising de/re-install orgies with vague hope of success.

*********************

Betreff: Please help to avoid a major disconnect of the worlds largest software ecosystem to continue

Dear Tim,

I am a true believer in Apple and an early adopter of the iPhone/iPad. However, there are reasons to also work with Microsoft Office…

Your iCloud for Windows has become/been a tremendous important connector between these two large software ecosystems.

It is no longer working for the latest version of Outlook 2016.

Subsequently there is a quickly growing number of loyal Apple customers with a broken sync of their digital life.

All attempts of this community to address this issues to Apple seem to be neglected so far.

Imagine that soon just 10% of your installed iPhone base will use Outlook 2016 - being out of sync of their most valuable assets.

Please help to fix this minor issue.

Best regards, Uwe

_____________________

Uwe G.

<Personal Information Edited By Host>

Well although I have no issues with mine working where others don't, I also rejected the iCloud V5 update on the W10 PC, but what has really bugged me for ages is the lack of Caldav and Cardav, using Outlook on the Macbook.

So with all the recent fiasco I decided to go with Exchange Online Plan 1, and continue using my Office 365 Home with Office 2016.

Now everything syncs through Outlook on PC W10 and also Macbook.

Here is Apples response to my attempt to let Apple know, there is a severe issue for their brand. Don't know what to do further :-(

We removed your post Re: Is iCloud compatible with Outlook 2016? because it contained a poll or a petition. We understand wanting to share experiences, but these forums are meant for technical questions that can be answered by the community.

So obviosly somone at Apple does read these posts- BUT what the heck can we do if they are removing posts regarding a problem they must now about by now.

i can only suggest that we keep on sending feedback to them so they understand the maginute of this problem for windows.

What i used to love about the ability of Apples products to sync sucessfully with Microsoft products has been severely tested now. In as much as im considering ditching my Iphone and ipad for different options.

Its up to you Apple - face the facts people DO like your hardware but you do need to join in the party, and not just sit alone in your room thinking that everybody is going to come to you.

D

I have had several posts removed. The Community cannot solve this. All that can be done is something that no one really wants to do which is downgrade to older versions of Office and Outlook ... unacceptable.

So I have migrated my digital life to Office 365, contacts, calendar and emails ... I still use my iPhone and iPad ... I have given up on Outlook 2016 for Mac and exclusively use Outlook 2016 for Windows 10. Now this is not a perfect solution either because they are working through a bug on the Microsoft side where new contacts are getting duplicated ... but at least they synch so two is better than none and you can clean them up.

As for sticking with Apple ... my current Dell laptop running Win 10 is still fine but is circa 2009. My MacBook is circa 2013 so I'm due for a new laptop in early 2016 ... hmmm ... the SurfaceBook Pro is starting to look pretty darn good to me right now. My iPhone 6 Plus ... when that comes up for replacement ... I'm really going to have to think long and hard if I put my digital life at risk every time Apple and Microsoft put out a new revision of their platforms with complete disregard for the interoperability that tens if not hundreds of thousands of people rely upon. I'm sure this will be a collectors item post and will be removed by the people monitoring the board.

So to the Apple folks about to NUKE this post ... please think about routing it to your iCloud Development team ... and better yet ... to your Marketing and Sales execs since alienating customers seems somewhat counter to the reasons people were so attracted in the first place.

Just got a call from Ireland (Apple customer support) concerning my yesterdays Email to Tim Cook. Conversation was open and I was happy, that it could be that its now understood Apple is heading a daily growing problem. Press thumbs