How-To

How to Set Up Cortana to Check Your Gmail and Google Calendar

By Brian Burgess

Last Updated on January 13, 2018

Microsoft now lets you connect your Google account to Cortana. This provides Gmail, Calendar, and Contact support for Microsoft’s digital assistant.

Microsoft this week added the ability to connect your Google account to Cortana. This will provide Gmail, Calendar, and Contact support. Like with other connected services, once you set it up, Cortana will be able to give you information about upcoming events on your calendar, messages, and more. Google joins other connected services like LinkedIn, Office 365, Outlook.com, Skype, and others. Here is a look at how to set it up and begin using the new ability.

Connect Google Account with Cortana

Connecting your Google account with Cortana is straight-forward. Launch Cortana on your Windows 10 system and select Notebook > Connected Services > Add a Service and you will see a new option for Gmail.

Then just follow the onscreen instruction and sign in with your Google account information. Note that if you have two-factor authentication enabled you will need your phone nearby.

After you have connected your Google account, you can access it on Windows 10 and other Cortana-powered devices like the Harman Kardon Invoke smart speaker. Similarly, you can use the service on Android or iOS devices via the Cortana app.

Here is an example of using the Cortana app on Android and checking what’s on my Google calendar.

At the time of this writing, only one Google account can be connected at any given time. If you have a personal and work account, you will need to choose which one you want to be connected. If you want to unlink your Google account from Cortana for any reason, head back to Notebook select Gmail and then the disconnect button.

Currently, not everything works as fluidly as it does with Microsoft mail and calendar and it isn’t known how integrated the two will be. For example, if you connect your Outlook account, Cortana can send you suggested reminders based on your messages. There isn’t a known list of official voice commands yet, but the level of functionality will undoubtedly improve over time. After spending more time with this new pairing we will post updates.

Will you link your Google Account with Cortana? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. For more discussion on everything Microsoft as well as troubleshooting help, check out our Windows 10 Forums.