Summary: If you are an active Zimbra user and have lots of TGZ files. Now, you will learn the easiest way to sync Zimbra calendar with Outlook. Then, this page is made for you! We will address common problems, manual steps, and a pro solution to directly configure in quick time.
Why to Configure Zimbra Mail in Outlook?
There are many reasons to sync Zimbra calendar with Outlook. Let’s read those:
- Users can handle both emails and calendars under a single email client
- It becomes easier to schedule and create meetings
- You can access it when you are not connected
- Easy to connect with Microsoft Office apps
- There are more search options which improves work quality
- Your mailbox is managed with the same location
When you are moving from Zimbra to Outlook, the calendar sync will be the most important factor.
Also, read this guide which will help you to import Outlook Calendar to Zimbra.
3 Manual Ways to Sync Zimbra Calendar with Outlook
From here, you will get to know different steps to configure Zimbra Mail in Outlook.
#1. Configure Using iCalendar ICS Method
If your company allows you to do calendar publication, then you can subscribe to your Zimbra Calendar via Outlook.
Step 1. Get Calendar URL via Zimbra
- At first, login to your Zimbra web Interface
- Navigate to Calendar section
- Right-click on the desired calendar
- Select Edit Properties present there
- Activate Public Access or Publish Calendar option
- Now, copy the generated URL
Step 2. Subscribe to the Calendar from Outlook
- Launch Outlook into your system
- Navigate to File > Account Settings > Internet Calendars.
- There, you need to select New
- Enter the copied URL
- Press Add
- Assign the calendar an appropriate name
- Tap on OK
Now, you can sync Zimbra calendar with Outlook in an easier way.
Drawback:
It allows you to subscribe to your calendars only. It depends upon the settings of the server, whether Outlook will sync with Zimbra or not.
#2. Sync Zimbra Calendar with Outlook Using IMAP
Users can configure your Zimbra calendar with the help of IMAP. As you know Outlook itself can read all your emails, attachments, and calendar.
1. Start by launching Outlook
2. Next, go to: File > Add Account option
3. Here, type in your Zimbra email address
4. Choose Advanced Options and click on Let me set up my account manually option
5. There, select IMAP as your configured account
6. Now, fill the following server information:
Incoming Server (IMAP)
- Server: mail.yourdomain.com
- Port: 993
- Encryption: SSL/TLS
Outgoing Server (SMTP)
- Server: mail.yourdomain.com
- Port: 587
- Encryption: STARTTLS
7. After doing this, provide these details:
- Username
- Password
8. Click Connect.
9. At last, Outlook will check your account, if it’s you or not. After few seconds, it will start the process to sync your emails
Remark: You can configure your emails only when you have an IMAP account. It also depends upon the Zimbra server.
#3. Connect Zimbra Using CalDAV
It is an add-on. But, it exists in certain versions of Zimbra only.
If supported:
- Launch Microsoft Outlook.
- Use a plugin named as CalDAV for older versions
- Enter it’s URL
- After this, log in using Zimbra credentials
- Now, enable the sync option of calendar items in Outlook.
Disadvantages:
- Requires additional plugins
- It depends on the version of Outlook you are using
- Not all Zimbra editions support this method
- May stop syncing after upgrade
Common Challenges:
There are several problems which users can face during the sync Zimbra calendar with Outlook process.
- Calendar does not appear in Outlook
- Authentication failure
- Certificate errors
- Read-only calendar subscription
- No recurring appointments
- You cannot sync Outlook calendar automatically
- It is not connected to Zimbra server
- Your IMAP is configured, but your calendar is not synced
All these problems occur due to the fact that various Zimbra versions have limited sync ability.
Sync Zimbra Calendar with Outlook Using Professional Way
After trying all the manual steps, if you are still not able to configure Zimbra calendar mail in Outlook. Then, it’s better to use SysTools Zimbra Converter software. It is designed to export the Zimbra TGZ mailbox directly into an Outlook file. The best way is to migrate the entire mailbox to PST, rather than selecting every item and then sync.
Key Features:
- There is no requirement of installing Outlook
- You can import emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, journals, and notes
- Maintain folder structure and email properties
- Provides batch conversion of several TGZ files
- Gives you date-based filter options for your emails
- It is compatible with all Windows versions
Tool Steps to Export Zimbra Emails Directly into Outlook
1. Download the software and run it on your PC.

2. To upload Zimbra emails, hit on Add file or folder.

3. Select TGZ as source file for conversion.

4. After importing the data, you can preview your data once.

5. Transfer all files, using Export or with Export Selected option.

6. Click Export for the File Type and Select PST.

7. Next, go to Advanced settings to filter the ones which you don’t want.

8. Just tap on Export to start the process.

9. After that a message will pop up saying your process has been successfully completed. Click OK.

Make Sure of these Tips:
To avoid any future syncing problem, check all these points carefully:
- Backup your mailbox first
- Check server settings with your administrator
- Use SSL connections
- Update Outlook to its latest version
- Check, if there’s any firewall restrictions
- See whether your Zimbra version supports CalDAV add-on or not
Also Read: How to Move Zimbra to New Server?
Final Verdict
You can sync Zimbra calendar with Outlook using either of these manual methods. Similarly, if you are asking yourself how to set up Zimbra mail in Outlook, you can easily do so by creating an IMAP account. But if you want to migrate the entire mailbox which contains calendars, then manual process comes with certain disadvantages. In that case, our automated solution is the right software to go with.