How to add a photo to a Google Calendar event on iPhone
To attach a photo to a Google Calendar event on iPhone, upload the image to Google Drive first. Then open the event in the Google Calendar app, tap Edit, tap Add attachment, choose the photo from Drive, and save. The photo stays with the event as a reference; Google Calendar does not read the date or time from it. If the photo itself contains the event details, scan it into a new event instead.
Reviewed by Photo2Calendar Editorial Team · Editorial Team
Last updated: 2026-11-01
The Photo2Calendar Editorial Team explains the app workflow and links to platform sources where available.
Photo2Calendar: Calendar Scan is an iPhone and iPad app (App Store ID 6736373394). There is no Android or web version.
Quick answer
Google Calendar attaches photos through Google Drive: upload the image to Drive, edit the event, tap Add attachment, pick the file, and save. Guests need Drive access to open it. For iCloud and Google calendars, Apple Calendar on iPhone has no image attachment field, so paste a link to the photo into the event's URL or Notes field. To create a new event from a photo instead, scan the image with Photo2Calendar and review the extracted title, date, time, and location. Then save it to Apple Calendar, open it in Google Calendar, or share an .ics file. Photo2Calendar does not attach the image to the event.
How do I add a photo to a Google Calendar event?
Upload the photo to Google Drive, open the event in Google Calendar, choose Edit, then Add attachment, select the image from Drive, and save. The attachment stays with the event as reference material. Google Calendar does not read the date, time, or title from the image.
Can I add a picture to a Google Calendar event on iPhone?
Yes. In the Google Calendar iPhone app, edit or create an event, tap Add attachment, choose the picture from Drive, and tap Done. If the picture contains the event details, scan it with Photo2Calendar so the title, date, time, and location become editable calendar fields.
Why can’t I find the add attachment option in Google Calendar?
Google Calendar attachments depend on Google Drive. If the attachment option is missing, confirm that the file is in Google Drive, that you are using the same Google account for Drive and Calendar, and that your work or school administrator has not disabled Drive.
Choose the workflow that matches your goal
Google Calendar supports photo attachments, but image-to-event conversion needs a scan-and-review workflow.
Attach intent
I want to attach a photo to an existing event
Use Google Calendar attachments when the event already exists and the image is only supporting context, such as a ticket, map, or agenda.
Compare attach vs scanCreate event intent
I want to create a calendar event from a photo
Use Photo2Calendar when the image contains event details that should become editable calendar fields instead of a static attachment.
Scan the photo into an eventAttach vs. scan: which workflow fits better?
Use Google Calendar attachments when the image is only supporting context. Use scan-to-calendar when the image contains event details you want in searchable calendar fields.
| Criteria | Google Calendar attachment | Photo2Calendar scan |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Keeping a reference image with an existing event | Creating a new event from a flyer, invite, or screenshot |
| Search intent match | Add photo, image, or picture to an existing Google Calendar event | Turn a photo, screenshot, ticket, flyer, or schedule into a new event |
| Structured fields | No automatic extraction | Title, date, time, location, and notes extracted for review |
| Editing after import | Manual entry still required | Event draft is editable before saving |
Step by step
1. Choose attach or scan
Use Google Calendar attachments when you only need the image as a reference. Use Photo2Calendar when the photo contains a date, time, location, or schedule that should become editable event fields.
2. Upload the photo to Google Drive on iPhone
In the Google Drive app, tap Add (+), then File upload. Select the image, check its folder under Location, and tap Upload. Use the same Google account in Drive and Calendar.
3. Attach the Drive image in Google Calendar
In the Google Calendar app on iPhone, create an event or edit an existing one. Tap Add attachment, select the image from Drive, then tap Done. Save the event and review any file-sharing prompt: invited guests need permission to open the attachment. Attaching the image does not fill in event fields.
4. On a computer: attach the photo in Google Calendar
Open Google Calendar in a browser and open the event. Click Edit, then click the paperclip icon (Add Google Drive attachment). Upload the image or pick it from Drive, then click Save.
5. On iPhone with Apple Calendar: add a link to the photo
For iCloud and Google calendars, Apple Calendar on iPhone has no field for adding an image to an event. To keep a photo with the event, copy a share link to it, for example with Copy iCloud Link in Photos, or a share link from iCloud Drive or Dropbox. Open the event in Apple Calendar, tap Edit, paste the link into the URL or Notes field, and tap Done. If you do not want a link, keep the image in Photos or Files and write where it is in the Notes field.
6. Create a new calendar event from a photo
Open Photo2Calendar, import the photo or screenshot, and let AI extract the title, date, time, and location from the visual content. One image can yield several events. Photo2Calendar creates events from the image; it does not attach the image to them.
7. Review and export the event
Check the title, full date, start and end time, time zone, and location. Then save it to Apple Calendar, or tap Open in Google Calendar. Photo2Calendar opens the event in Google Calendar on your iPhone, where you save it.
8. Or import an ICS file on a computer
If you need a file, share the reviewed event as an .ics file. Open Google Calendar in a computer browser. Go to Settings, then Import & Export. Choose Select file from your computer, select the .ics file, choose the destination calendar, and click Import. A file import is a one-time copy; changes to the source image will not update it.
More frequently asked questions
Do guests and my other devices see the attached photo?
The attachment shows on every device signed in to the same Google account. Guests can open it only if they have access to the file in Google Drive.
Can Google Calendar create an event from a photo?
Google Calendar attachments do not automatically convert a flyer or schedule photo into structured event fields. Use a scan-to-calendar workflow when you need the date, time, and title extracted.
How do I create a calendar event from a photo?
Create a calendar event from a photo when the image contains event details you would otherwise type manually. Photo2Calendar scans the picture and turns the title, date, time, location, and notes into editable fields. You review each event, then save it to Apple Calendar, open it in Google Calendar, or share an .ics file for Outlook or another calendar app.
Photo, image, or picture: which Google Calendar workflow should I use?
Use the same decision for photos, images, and pictures: attach it if the event is already complete, scan it if the image contains the event details. This helps with searches such as add image to Google Calendar event, add picture to calendar event, and photo to Google Calendar.
How do I add a photo to an Apple Calendar event on iPhone?
For iCloud and Google calendars, Apple Calendar on iPhone has no image attachment field. Put a share link to the photo, such as an iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, or Dropbox link, in the event's URL or Notes field. Or keep the image in Photos or Files and note in the event where it is.
Does Photo2Calendar attach the photo to the calendar event?
No. Photo2Calendar reads the photo and creates events from it, but it does not attach the image to the saved event. Keep the original in Photos or Files, or paste a link to it into the event's Notes field.
Can I add an image to a Google Calendar event?
Yes. Add the image as an attachment to an existing event when you only need the photo for context.
Can I add a photo to a calendar event on iPhone?
Yes. In Google Calendar, attach the photo from Google Drive. In Apple Calendar, which has no image attachment field for iCloud or Google calendars, paste a link to the photo into the event's URL or Notes field. Use Photo2Calendar when you want the text in the image turned into a new editable event.
What is the difference between adding an image and scanning an image?
Adding an image stores the file with an existing event. Scanning an image reads the visible text and turns it into a new event draft you can review before saving.
Will this work with invitations and tickets?
Yes. Clear screenshots or photos of invitations, tickets, and school notes can be converted into editable calendar events.
Does this support recurring reminders?
Photo2Calendar creates one event per date it finds. Set a repeat rule or an alert in Apple Calendar after you save the event.
Sources & references
These references support the calendar standards and platform workflows mentioned on this page.
Get Photo2Calendar on the App Store
For iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later. Free download with one free test scan during setup. Saving events needs a subscription: $1.99 a week, $4.99 a month, or $29.99 a year. No free trial.
