How to Add Events to Native Mobile Calendars Using React Native (iOS & Android Guide)

Quick Summary

If you’re building a React Native app that involves scheduling, appointments, or task planning, it’s crucial to add calendar events in mobile’s native calendar. This allows users to get reminders and see their events alongside their other personal and work commitments. In this blog, we’ll explore how to implement this feature using the react-native-calendar-events library, with full support for both Android and iOS.

Introduction

Modern apps often require seamless scheduling capabilities. Whether you’re building a fitness app, telehealth platform, or event management system, being able to add calendar events in mobile’s native calendar creates a fluid experience for users. Native calendar integration improves event visibility and helps users stay organized without switching between multiple apps.

If you’re working with a team or looking to outsource this functionality, consider partnering with a React Native app development company that specializes in building intuitive, cross-platform mobile experiences.

In this guide, we’ll dive into implementing calendar event creation using the widely used and maintained react-native-calendar-events package.

Why Add Calendar Events in Mobile’s Native Calendar?

• Allows event syncing across Google Calendar, iCloud, and more
  
• Lets users receive system-level reminders and alerts
  
• Creates a seamless experience between your app and device tools
  
• Enhances engagement by reducing friction for time-sensitive features
  

Setting Up the Library

First, install the library:

npm install react-native-calendar-events

or

yarn add react-native-calendar-events

Then, link the native modules:

npx pod-install

iOS Setup

Add permissions to Info.plist:

<key>NSCalendarsUsageDescription</key>
<string>This app requires access to your calendar</string>

Android Setup

Add these permissions in AndroidManifest.xml:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CALENDAR" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_CALENDAR" />

Use react-native-permissions if you want runtime permission handling.

Requesting Calendar Permissions

Before attempting to add calendar events in mobile’s native calendar, you must check and request permission:

import RNCalendarEvents from 'react-native-calendar-events';
const requestCalendarPermission = async () => {
  const status = await RNCalendarEvents.requestPermissions();
  console.log('Permission status:', status);
};

Creating a Calendar Event

Here’s how you can create an event:

import RNCalendarEvents from 'react-native-calendar-events';
const createCalendarEvent = async () => {
  try {
    const eventId = await RNCalendarEvents.saveEvent('React Native Sync Call', {
      startDate: '2025-04-18T14:00:00.000Z',
      endDate: '2025-04-18T15:00:00.000Z',
      location: 'Google Meet',
      notes: 'Team catch-up meeting',
    });
    console.log('Event ID:', eventId);
  } catch (error) {
    console.log('Error saving event:', error);
  }
};

This function will silently create the event in the default calendar if permissions are granted.

Reading Events from Calendar

You can also fetch existing events using:

const fetchEvents = async () => {
  const events = await RNCalendarEvents.fetchAllEvents(
    '2025-04-18T00:00:00.000Z',
    '2025-04-19T00:00:00.000Z'
  );
  console.log(events);
};

This is useful if your app needs to display or sync events already present in the user’s calendar.

Best Practices

• Always request permissions before attempting any calendar operations
  
• Handle permission denial gracefully with fallbacks or prompts
  
• Respect user privacy and avoid frequent or silent updates to their calendars
  
• Allow users to choose the calendar they want to save events in, when applicable

Conclusion

Integrating native calendar functionality into your app allows users to stay informed and never miss an event. With react-native-calendar-events, it’s easy and efficient to add calendar events in mobile’s native calendar using React Native. This solution supports full CRUD operations on both iOS and Android and can be tailored to your specific business case.

If you’re planning to implement advanced calendar features or build a scheduling-based mobile app, it might be time to hire React Native developers who can deliver production-ready solutions with native integrations and a seamless user experience.

FAQs

Q1: Can I open the default calendar UI for users to edit events?
No, this library works programmatically. You’d need to build a custom UI if editing is required.

Q2: Can I choose a specific calendar (like Google or Outlook)?
Yes, you can list available calendars using RNCalendarEvents.findCalendars() and specify one while creating the event.

Q3: Is recurring event creation supported?
Yes, you can add recurrence rules via the recurrence and recurrenceRule fields when creating an event.

Q4: What happens if the user revokes calendar permission later?
You should always check for permission before making changes and handle errors accordingly.

Q5: Is this solution scalable for enterprise apps?
Absolutely. It’s used in many production-level applications for reliable and native calendar management.

React Native

Yash Nayi

Software Engineer