Fantastical is one of the best calendar apps out there — but it’s macOS and iOS-only. So what if you’re on Windows and want your Fantastical calendar sets to activate automatically based on location or context?
While you can’t run Fantastical natively on Windows, there are a few clever workarounds to control or sync your calendar behavior from a Windows machine — especially if you also use a Mac or iOS device.
Here’s how to make it work.
🧠 What’s a Calendar Set in Fantastical?
Calendar Sets in Fantastical let you group specific calendars together (e.g., “Work,” “Personal,” “Travel”) and activate them based on location or time of day. On macOS and iOS, they can switch automatically.
Windows doesn’t have Fantastical — but you can still trigger Calendar Set changes indirectly.
🔄 Method 1: Use iCloud or Google Calendar Sync
If you’re using iCloud or Google calendars in Fantastical:
- Make sure your calendars are synced across all devices
- Create separate calendars for work, personal, etc.
- On Windows, use a calendar app like Outlook or the Windows Calendar app to edit calendar entries
Fantastical on your iPhone or Mac will recognize these updates and switch calendar sets accordingly if you have auto-switching enabled (e.g., by time, location).
⚙️ Method 2: Automate with Shortcuts + iCloud (Requires Apple Device)
If you’re using an iPhone or Mac, you can automate calendar set switching using Apple Shortcuts and trigger it via remote action from Windows.
Steps:
- On iOS or macOS, create a Shortcut that activates a specific calendar set
- Use an automation app like Pushcut, IFTTT, or Home Assistant
- Trigger that Shortcut remotely via a webhook or URL
- From your Windows PC, fire the trigger (e.g., by visiting a URL or using a script)
This gives you indirect control of Fantastical from Windows.
🧪 Method 3: Use a Virtual Machine or Remote Access
Advanced users can:
- Run macOS in a virtual machine (for devs/testers)
- Use remote desktop tools like AnyDesk, Chrome Remote Desktop, or VNC
- Remotely control your Mac to activate calendar sets via the Fantastical app or AppleScript
While not fully “automatic,” it gives you direct access to Fantastical from Windows.
🧼 Final Tip: Keep Calendars Organized
Even without direct access to Fantastical, a good calendar structure — separate calendars for each context, proper naming, and consistent event creation — will make auto-activation much more reliable when you’re back on your Mac or iPhone.
Final Thoughts
While you can’t run Fantastical on Windows, you can influence it. Through synced calendars, Shortcuts automation, or remote control, you can still benefit from Calendar Set switching — even when working on a Windows machine.
If you’re bouncing between Mac and PC, this kind of integration helps you stay focused without constantly toggling settings.
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