The Ultimate Syncing w/Outlook (not Exchange) thread

[Dr.SteveB]

I am newbie here with brand new Motorola Droid 2 (with Android 2.2) on Verizon. My wife has the same as well.

As we know Google's calendar sync with Outlook only syncs the single main outlook calendar to a single google calendar.

What we are looking for is way to keep multiple different sub-folder calendars (my work, her work, our family) under our home MS-Outlook (not Exchange) synced with multiple Google calendars, and to each of Droid phones. What we want to be able to do, at a minimum is to sync from home MS-Outlook with multiple sub-folder calenders (e.g., Husband-work calendar, wife-work-calendar, family-calendar), and different gmail calendar accounts (husband-gmail; wife-gmail), and our Droid2 phones (husband-droid, wife-droid).

Now ideally we would ALSO be able to sync my work outlook exchange.

So I have been through lots of thread here, and a few other places around the 'net.

Below is a list of software I have found that do Outlook-Sync related functions.

Is there any consensus on which one or ones works best?
Any reports as to which are complete losers?

BestSync
Companionlink & dejaoffice
GoContact Sync
gSyncit
MissingSync & Fliq
Moxier Mail
Pimlical

Sync2 - Synchronize Microsoft Outlook on multiple PCs without a server. Sync Outlook and Google Calendar and Contacts.
(also a nice features table compare to their related products)

SyncCell - Product Features

Touchdown

I know thanks to their being a sponsor CompanionLink gets a lot of attention here. I am espeecially intrigued, for my purposes per abouve, by Sync2 and (to a lesser extent) SyncCell. both of which are the leaders in download popularity over at the downloads.com.

Again any actual experience? Consensus? Winners? Duds?
Thanks in advance.

 

[leeherman]

Thanks for posting this question!

I just joined here looking for answers before I buy an Android based phone and one of my questions is about Outlook <--> Android sync of contacts, calendar, notes, etc. Note, I do not use any Google services and do not intend to do so.

I'm currently using a Windows Mobile based phone and don't want to lose any functionality.

Looking forward to hearing from the Android veterans here

Thanks!

LH

 

[wmtoandroid]

I can really only speak for gsyncit because that's what I've been using for the past few months, but I did try CompanionLink and it ended up being a disaster (If I recall correctly, it was very slow and messed up some data on my outlook).

Currently, I use gsyncit for the following:

- sync all my calendar events (years worth)
- sync my personal contacts from my primary gmail account
- sync my business contacts from my work gmail account (over 1000)

- I've tried note and task syncing, but I have no use for them, so I've stopped.

I don't use exchange, so that would be a different beast to look into.

There's a trial copy you can use to see if it works for you. The trial does have limitations though...

Good luck in your search. The one thing I enjoyed about using a Windows Mobile phone was the integration with outlook (although I did have to battle duplicates from time to time, usually when resetting my device).

 

[CptCurl]

I also have a keen interest in the subject of this thread. I have a Motorola Droid X and want to do everything the intitial post mentions. I haven't tried any solutions yet; I'm only on my 3rd day with the DX.

Thanks,
Curl

 

[CptCurl]

P.S.

I don't know if I want to use Google services, but I have my doubts. I'm not sure I want all that information residing in the "cloud." I have to deal with issues of confidentiality that are easy to handle on a local computer but get bothersom when the info is put out on a public server.

Curl

 

[artsfols]

I began using the Android with the idea of not using Google services. You're really swimming upstream if you do this, so I found. I ended up implementing Gmail, Google Calendar and a primitive work around for my Outlook Notes. Outlook is now out of the picture for me entirely. I could go into a lot more detail, but I'll just add to not think of Google as a repository for your information but a new way of sync-ing.

 

[CptCurl]

I began using the Android with the idea of not using Google services. You're really swimming upstream if you do this, so I found. I ended up implementing Gmail, Google Calendar and a primitive work around for my Outlook Notes. Outlook is now out of the picture for me entirely. I could go into a lot more detail, but I'll just add to not think of Google as a repository for your information but a new way of sync-ing.

I'm leaning in this direction also.

Earlier today I learned how to transfer my Outlook contacts to gmail using the Motorola website for a resource. It worked really well. For those faced with the same task, here's a link to the step-by-step directions, which worked for me:

https://motorola-global-portal.cust.../48665/kw/contacts/p/30,6720,7500/c/6649,6652

Question:

Does anybody know a simple way to export the MS Outlook calendar to the Google calendar? That would certainly help with the conversion.

Thanks,
Curl

 

[CptCurl]

Is this the answer we are looking for?

Sync with Microsoft Outlook - Google Calendar Help

Curl

 

[leeherman]

So, guys, as someone who hasn't bought an Android based phone yet, is it your opinion that it would be a mistake for me to buy one if I don't use Google services and want to sync only to Outlook?

I'm researching stuff here before I buy as there's a lot of good info around here.

LH

 

[raduray]

+1 on gsyncit. It also allows you to display your contacts in Last Name, First Name format.

 

[artsfols]

So, guys, as someone who hasn't bought an Android based phone yet, is it your opinion that it would be a mistake for me to buy one if I don't use Google services and want to sync only to Outlook?

I'm researching stuff here before I buy as there's a lot of good info around here.

LH

I just came off almost 10 years with BlackBerry but it does shine in Outlook synchronization. Handled multiple Contacts folders and Outlook Notes which Android does not. Of course, there are cons versus Android, and it'll really depend on all the criteria you're looking at.

 

[artsfols]

Is this the answer we are looking for?

Sync with Microsoft Outlook - Google Calendar Help

Curl

Not necessarily. I believe this is an ongoing sync. If you want to export once, it's simpler. In fact, it was so dead easy I can't now remember exactly what I did. But I do remember I exported my Outlook calendar into a CSV file, which Google imported readily.

 

[boatman]

Several threads about this , search. Also on HOFO.

I bought both gysncit and companionlink.

For me gysncit did ok on contacts but terrible on calendar and tasks. Companionlink has done much better. Truthfully, if you can export contacts and not have to really 'sync', then the google/outlook calendar free interface works very well.

I wanted to get my tasks and contacts going back and forth, and companionlink so far has done very well. They have also updated the program recently. It is a bit pricey however, but considering what you pay per month for the next 2 years to have the phone, it is a drop in the bucket if you need the functionality.

I have had the droid since it came out, coming from a BB and before that a treo. I was stunned when I found out that there was no good email or sync for users on a POP account using outlook. (users with exchange have it better). I understand that the HTC phones have a sync program that comes with them, but motorola has not done this. I would have thought that google making the calendar interface would have done the contacts by now, dissappointed they haven't. I use K9 email program for my pop email. I also sync multiple google calendars thru companionlink.

 

[leeherman]

Thanks boatman. I feel a little better about my decision to pull the trigger on a Droid X this afternoon.

I know the X will do everything I do now with my Omnia except the Outlook Sync. Worst case scenario is I return the phone and eat the restocking fee if the sync process doesn't work well.

LH

 

[rlb4]

Is there any one app/program that will wirelessly and automatically sync Outlook email/calendar/contacts with our phones?

 

[lolbug]

Is there any one app/program that will wirelessly and automatically sync Outlook email/calendar/contacts with our phones?

Mark/Space's Missing Sync does local and scheduled (they call it Proximity Sync) sync for Calendar and Contacts but don't think it worths $40 unless you REALLY need local sync (no cloud involved whatsover).

BTW, I don't understand, why would you want to sync email? Just configure the mail client to use IMAP.

And if you're not satisfied with the default one, grab K-9 or Maildroid for change.

 

[boatman]

Companionlink syncs outlook calendar and task and contact, etc. wirelessly or wired.

The only way to sync email is to use an IMAP or exchange type account.

If you are on POP, like I am (and lolbug, while I would love to be on imap, that is not what my small company has), it does not sync. I use K9 for my email, it works great.

 

[rlb4]

BTW, I don't understand, why would you want to sync email? Just configure the mail client to use IMAP.

And if you're not satisfied with the default one, grab K-9 or Maildroid for change.

My wife's email is optonline.net and she downloads them to her laptop using MS Outlook. I think this is POP? She has a gmail account but does not use that address. I know gmail can import mail from POP accounts but doing it this way I think she would lose the real time syncing like IMAP. Any way to keep using Outlook to maintain a copy on the laptop but have wireless syncing to her phone?

 

[goughy]

This is the way I've started doing things to satisfy my needs. Take note though that I don't use more than one calendar and don't need anything more advanced than that, so I don't know if it will do things more than that. The sync ability was bugging me with regards to outlook and my galaxy s which as reported can be a bit buggy with it's windows syncing.

I now only use the google contacts and google calendar on my phone. When I enter a new contact that is the contacts list that opens first so I don't have to go select another one each time I enter a contact. But with my calendar the phone calendar was default and I'd have to select the google calendar each time I entered an appointment. So I'm using either Gemini calendar or Jorte Calendar (which I prefer for entry and reminders anyway) and selecting them to sync only with my google calendar. So that keeps everything in my google contacts and calendar and syncs to them on the web (which I've never used before). I then use google calendar sync (free) to sync my online google calendar and contacts to my outlook. It syncs both ways and seems to be working fine so far. I have it set to sync every 2 hours. I also don't need to connect my phone to my laptop anymore for syncing purposes, which suits me as I just plug it into the wall at night as it's my alarm clock too.

What was bugging me prior to this was the fact that my contact groups don't sync from google, which loses me my specific ringtones. I don't really need the groupings other than for setting ringtones (and don't have that many contacts either) so I downloaded ringdroid and ringo lite to play with ringtones and set specific ringtones for google contacts.

I don't know if this is roundabout or not, but it seems to be doing what I wanted, which was have one lot of contacts, one calendar and sync them to outlook. What I like about it is I don't have to actually go to the effort of syncing them, it just happens. I haven't even begun to play with email yet. I'm actually a bit of a gumby with this stuff. But maybe my method will work for someone else.

 

[Betabucks]

Folks....I found a roundabout way (yes, its not completely automated), but, just as good in getting Push mails from non-Exchange servers using IMAP mail settings to your Android phone.

As most of you would know, there are many many softwares available in the marketplace that allow you to DOWNLOAD mails on your droid phone. However there are 2 basic issues with this method: (i) its not a true Push technology. It would usually have a pre-set time interval to fetch the mails (5 minutes, etc.) and (ii) MORE IMPORTANTLY, it wont allow you to sync your mobile phone's Sent box with your Outlook's Sent Mails box. Which means, mails sent from your MOBILE will remain there and won't integrate with the mails sent from your Outlook. This leads to gaps in your mail boxes.

This problem never happens in a Exchange server environment.

So, this is how I cracked the process after 2 days' of research and trials.

Firstly, configure your Outlook mail using IMAP settings. This would mean, all mails (inbox and sentbox) will reside on THE SERVER unless you manually delete or move them. Once done, test your settings by sending a mail to yourself and receiving it.

Next, create a local Mail Box on your PC. You can do that using your Outlook's Account Settings. I am not really sure how you do that. I had accidentally created a POP mail box, which I deleted, but retained the pst folders.

You will use the Local Mail Box to manually move mails from your IMAP box when you no-longer need them on the online server. If you don't do that, your IMAP server will soon get full and you'll see Alerts to delete mails.

Next, download K-9 mail software on your android device. Once downloaded, configure it using the same IMAP settings. Select 'Push' mail instead of predefined time-interval. Test it by sending a mail to your self. You should instantly receive your mail on your phone (and also your Outlook).

Here's the best part now....

After sending the mail, go to your 'Sent' folder. Long press the mail and you should get several options. Select 'move' option and transfer the mail to your K-9's 'Sent Mail' box. This mail box is a mirror of your Outlook's 'Sent Mail' box.

Wait for few seconds for Outlook to refresh. Now check your Outlook's 'Sent Mail' box and Whoa!!! you should see the mail you sent from your mobile device on your Outlook.

Now you can always drag that mail from Outlook's IMAP mail box on to your Local Folders where ever you would like to save that mail for future use.

Thus you should now have all your mail folders synchronised!!

 

[RazzMaTazz]

You don't need an app or 3rd party software to sync Outlook Calendar and Contacts folders with Android. Instructions are at the following link. It works great. It works automatically. And it's free. You can sync multiple Outlook calendars (and contacts folders), as mentioned at the following link. You can choose to sync and/or view each calendar individually, or view all events merged into one calendar (which is what I usually do). Either way, the events for each calendar will have their own unique color code. You can add an Exchange Server account (calendar & contacts) as well, if your company allows that. You can use Gmail or whatever email service you prefer.

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...id-without-3rd-party-app-exchange-server.html

 

[dhectorg]

First of all, thanks to all those that have taken time to provide information here! I'm frustrated and haven't even purchased an Android phone yet lol. I'm considering the Galaxy S II 4G Epic Touch from Sprint and I'm having a hell of a time finding a straight answer on what good LOCAL syncing options exist for this phone...and Android in general.

Here's my story: I do not plan to use any cloud services what-so-ever. I need an Outlook2007 <-> Android v2.3.4 sync solution that is 100 percent LOCAL, reliable, and well-integrated with Android (either populates native contacts and calendar or replaces them with this solution). I've read a lot about Companionlink, Missing Sync and a few others, but they all seem to fall short in some significant way. Please help!

Thanks,
DG

 

[dvhttn]

First of all, thanks to all those that have taken time to provide information here! I'm frustrated and haven't even purchased an Android phone yet lol. I'm considering the Galaxy S II 4G Epic Touch from Sprint and I'm having a hell of a time finding a straight answer on what good LOCAL syncing options exist for this phone...and Android in general.

Here's my story: I do not plan to use any cloud services what-so-ever. I need an Outlook2007 <-> Android v2.3.4 sync solution that is 100 percent LOCAL, reliable, and well-integrated with Android (either populates native contacts and calendar or replaces them with this solution). I've read a lot about Companionlink, Missing Sync and a few others, but they all seem to fall short in some significant way. Please help!

Thanks,
DG

I use MyPhoneExplorer (Google it). Client on the PC and app on the phone. I use XP Pro with Outlook 2010 on my desktop. The latest version of MPE also syncs tasks and notes (though with some limitations). They also have an English forum at ... FJ Software :: Forum anzeigen - English section ... which would be a good place to 'search' for answers.

Dave

 

[Xerses]

I am really amazed at how few people know about the FREE solution that works perfectly to sync Outlook to Android. I researched for at least 2 months before getting my new phone and decided to use MyPhoneExplorer.

I run my business in Outlook 2010 Business Contact Manager 2010 which syncs to the default Outlook Contacts folder.

I downloaded MyPhoneExplorer and sync my Outlook Contacts, Calendar and Notes to my SGSII with 0 issues. The first sync is a bit tedious if you want to select which contacts to sync or not, but once that is done it is a piece of cake and works perfectly. Freeware that is worth a 20$ donation via PayPal. MyPhoneExplorer saved me and allowed me to get my Android phone. Otherwise I was stuck with my old Windows Mobile 6.1 phone.

... and no I do not work for or am I affiliated with MyPhoneExplorer, it is simply the best solution I have found after researching up until I got my Telus Samsung Galaxy S II X phone on Oct. 28th.

 

[RazzMaTazz]

I used to use MyPhoneExplorer but it has too many limitations for me. It handles too few data fields. It deleted my Outlook data for fields that it didn't handle. And in order to sync, you have to be on the same LAN via WiFi or directly connected via USB to your PC.

For me, this solution is much, much better. It just works, automatically, and it works over any data connnection, from anywhere in the world, for free, and you don't have to load any apps onto your phone or 3rd party software onto your PC.