The open-source Android operating system is used on a variety of smartphones. Android's email, contact and calendar settings connect to Google's Gmail, Contacts and Calendar. Email can be kept in sync by connecting your Gmail account to the same account used by Outlook. Google App users can use "Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook" to automate synchronizing all settings. Other paid and free solutions are available if you aren't a Google Apps customer. Unfortunately, no single sync application is included with Android devices to manage these settings.
Step 1
Download and install "Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook" (see Resources). If you have a Google Apps business account, you can download this program free of charge and use it to import all your Outlook settings including email, contacts and calendar. After importing, the information will be kept in sync between your online Gmail account, Android devices and Outlook.
Step 2
Download and install "Google Calendar Sync" and then manually import your contact and email connection settings. If you aren't a Google Apps customer, you can download "Google Calendar Sync" to keep your Outlook and Google calendars in sync. Check your email settings in the "Accounts" section of Outlook and then connect to your email in Gmail using Gmail's POP or IMAP retrieval system. If you aren't sure which to use, check with your email provider. Be sure to keep messages on the server for a sufficient time to ensure they are downloaded in Gmail and Outlook. IMAP is the better choice if you have the option because messages are managed on the email server. Gmail, Android and Outlook simply function as IMAP clients.
Export your contacts from Outlook by using the "Export" option and then import them in the "Contacts" section of your Gmail account. Be sure to update your contacts if you create new contacts. Alternately, you can use one of various third-party solutions to keep them in sync.
Step 3
Download and install "gSyncit" to synchronize Outlook and Android. This program will use Google services as a go-between to synchronize Android with your Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks. The program costs $19.99 and includes a free trial period for testing purposes. After setting up "gSyncit" on your computer, Android will receive updates via your Google account. Any changes made on your Android handheld will be synchronized back to Outlook the same way. To synchronize email, set up Gmail with the same account you use on Outlook to sync all your information.
Step 4
Download the "CompanionLink" program to sync Outlook with your Android contacts, calendar and notes. This third-party program is available for $39.95 and it synchronizes your information via USB, wireless network, Google or a hosted site. The Google sync option works the same way as it does in "gSyncit." The USB, Wi-Fi and" CompanionLink" hosted site allows you to bypass Google if you prefer direct synchronization. The program is also available as a free trial. It's possible to use this solution along with Gmail to have full synchronization between Outlook and Android.
Step 5
Sync Android directly with your Exchange server. If you use Outlook with Exchange, Android supports a direct connection to the Exchange server to synchronize email, contacts, calendar and tasks. Set it up by creating a new account in the "Accounts" section of the menu in Android. Select "Exchange Account" as the account type during the setup process. You'll be prompted to enter your domain user name, password and Exchange address. It will also prompt you for which information you want to sync. You can sync any or all of your information. After setup Android will connect the same way Outlook does, directly to the Exchange server. (Reference 5)
