How can I sync my ICS calendar files with Google Calendar more frequently than once a day?

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1

I’m developing a PHP module that generates ICS files for calendars. My issue is that Google Calendar only syncs with the ICS file once every 24 hours, which is too infrequent for my needs.

Why I need more frequent updates:
If a medical appointment is canceled at 2 PM, I need that change reflected immediately, not the next day. This delay is a significant concern!

Currently, my ICS file looks like this:

BEGIN:VCALENDAR
PRODID:-//MyApp//Calendar Generator 1.0//EN
VERSION:2.0
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Medical Schedule
X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:[email protected]
DTSTART:20240315T140000Z
DTEND:20240315T150000Z
DTSTAMP:20240314T120000Z
SUMMARY:Doctor Visit
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR

What I’ve attempted:
I’ve looked for solutions everywhere but haven’t found anything that works. Is there a way to make Google Calendar check my ICS file more frequently? Perhaps every hour or even every 15 minutes?

I realize this question comes up often, but I genuinely need assistance with this issue!

2

ya know, google really does limit the sync times for ICS files. but u can try using their API to directly push updates. it’s a bit of work, but def better for urgent stuff like appointmnts!

3

Google Calendar’s sync frequency for external ICS feeds is hardcoded - you can’t change it. They do this on purpose to keep server load down. But you’ve got some good options for medical scheduling. Your best bet is switching to Google Calendar API instead of ICS feeds. With the API, you can create, update, and delete events instantly as they happen in your PHP app. It’s more work upfront but gives you real-time sync. Another option is going hybrid - send email notifications for critical updates while keeping the ICS feed for regular viewing. Lots of healthcare apps do this successfully.