How to Use iCloud Calendar with OptiSigns

This article will show you how to display an iCloud Calendar on your display screens with OptiSigns.

Ensure Full iCloud Features

Before we start, please take a quick moment to ensure your iCloud account is fully equipped.

Sign in to https://www.icloud.com/ and check your account information for the status of all features. This ensures smooth and optimal functionality for your iCloud experience.

Let's jump in and get started:

1. Get Your App-Specific Password from Apple

Before linking your iCloud calendar in OptiSigns, ensure you have your app-specific password from Apple. This unique password is distinct from your regular Apple login credentials.

Apple mandates the use of an app-specific password, in addition to two-factor authentication, for connecting with third-party apps like OptiSigns.

To obtain your app-specific password:

1. Sign in to https://account.apple.com/. 
2. Navigate to Sign-In and Security and activate Two-factor authentication if you haven't already. 
3. Under App-Specific Passwords, click Generate an app-specific password.
   
   
    
4. Enter a password label (e.g., "iCloud Calendar") and select Create.
   
5. Confirm your iCloud account password before proceeding to the next step.
   
6. Your app-specific password will then be generated.
   
7. Copy the app-specific password and paste it into your iCloud Calendar app within OptiSigns. This can be accessed by going to Files/Assets > Apps, then finding iCloud Calendar. Enter this information into the App-Specific Password field, then pair it with your iCloud Email. Last, hit Connect.

Once authenticated you'll be prompted to enter the details of your calendar:

• Name: Name of your calendar that you wish to see labeled as within the OptiSigns platform. This name is internal to you only.
• Calendars:  The dropdown will show all the calendars that are within the account. These can be calendars you created or subscribed to.
• Title: Title of the calendar, this will be displayed on your screen.
• Display Mode: Select the view of the calendar 
  • Schedule - Linear listing of every event in succession by time and date.
  • Day - Listing the current day's event activity.
  • Week - Listing the current week's event activity
  • Month - Listing the current month's event activity
• Advanced Options:

• Only Show Ongoing and Upcoming Events: Toggle if you would like your calendar app not to display past events.
• List View: (only available if you select Schedule as Display Mode)
  • Day: Get today's events.
  • Week: Get current week's events.
  • Month: Get the current month's events.
  • 7 Days: Get 7 upcoming days (including today) events.
  • 30 days: Get 30 upcoming days (including today) events.
• Photo: Toggle this if you would like to display a photo with your Calendar. It will also activate a clock and current date to display as well.
• Text Color: The text color of the display
• Font Size: The font size of the display
• Start Week On: (only available if you select Week as Display Mode) Enables you to choose either Monday or Sunday as the start of the week.
• 24 Hours Format: format time in 24h
• Auto Scroll: By default, the calendar will focus the display of events on current local time or your set time zone time. This can be less helpful if you anticipate viewers to be able to see all event activities on your calendar. 
  Toggle the auto scroll pans the schedule so that all times are viewable.
• Time Zone: select to use Device's time zone or your specified time zone.
• Theme: Light and Dark Themes are available as options.
• Show Location: Show the location of your calendar's event.
• Event Color: If you have your own color for your events, our iCloud Calendar app can do it. You can also set other event colors to be displayed on the screen.
• Weather: Entering location information allows weather information to be overlaid on your calendar.
• Scale: Select if you would like to see your temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
• Language: Change the display language for your calendar.

The auto-sync will be every hour on the iCloud Calendar.

After completing these steps, you're all set.

You then can assign this newly created asset to your screens to display, or you can also use it in playlists, schedules, etc. like any other assets. If you need more information on how to set up & assign content to your screens click here.

If you have feedback on how to make the how-to guides better, please let us know at: support@optisigns.com