Start on Mac
Open InstaCal and follow the welcome window. The setup explains the menu bar item, asks for calendar access and lets you choose a global shortcut. When setup finishes, InstaCal appears in the menu bar.
Click the menu bar date to open the panel. Open InstaCal → Settings at any time to revisit permissions or change the shortcut.
Start on iPhone or iPad
Open InstaCal and move through the welcome screens. The app asks only for permissions needed by the features you choose. You can change any decision later in the system Settings app.
What each permission does
| Permission | What it enables |
|---|---|
| Calendars | Shows and edits Apple-managed calendars |
| Reminders | Shows, creates and completes Apple Reminders |
| Contacts | Suggests names and email addresses for invitees |
| Notifications | Event, reminder, invitation and leave-by alerts; Live Activities on iPhone |
| Location | Local weather and travel-time estimates |
Google and Microsoft accounts use their own sign-in flow under Settings → Accounts. Their tokens are stored in Apple’s Keychain.
Tip: If you declined a permission, open System Settings → Privacy & Security on Mac or Settings → Apps → InstaCal on iPhone and iPad. Return to InstaCal after changing it so the app can refresh its status.
Choose what appears
After access is granted, open Settings → Calendars and Settings → Reminders to choose the calendars and lists shown in the agenda. Star a default calendar so new events always have a predictable destination.
