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Google Task sync with Thunderbird

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  • Last reply by Matt

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I am using the Provider for Google Calendar addon, but have always had the problem that when I flag an item on a Google Task list as Completed then synchronise with Thunderbird, the completion flag stays unchanged in Thunderbird unless I've also done an edit to the task text, or unsubscribed/resubscribed the whole calendar. I was hoping that when Google Tasks got combined/integrated with calendar Reminders a few weeks ago, it might have meant I could uninstall the addon and use Tasks with native Thunderbird CalDAV, but that doesn't seem to be the case. By which I mean, if I uninstall the Provider and try to subscribe in Thunderbird, only my calendars are visible for selection, not my task lists.

Is there a way of exposing the task lists to Thunderbird other than with the Provider, so I can try a way which will sync correctly?

I am using the Provider for Google Calendar addon, but have always had the problem that when I flag an item on a Google Task list as Completed then synchronise with Thunderbird, the completion flag stays unchanged in Thunderbird unless I've also done an edit to the task text, or unsubscribed/resubscribed the whole calendar. I was hoping that when Google Tasks got combined/integrated with calendar Reminders a few weeks ago, it might have meant I could uninstall the addon and use Tasks with native Thunderbird CalDAV, but that doesn't seem to be the case. By which I mean, if I uninstall the Provider and try to subscribe in Thunderbird, only my calendars are visible for selection, not my task lists. Is there a way of exposing the task lists to Thunderbird other than with the Provider, so I can try a way which will sync correctly?

Chosen solution

The add-on exists because it is the only real choice for tasks. Thunderbird does nothing natively and I don't see it being a new feature as there is no standard format for tasks, unlike calendars. So a special set of code would have to be written and built into Thunderbird specifically for that one tasks provider. Historically the development team have shied away from provider specific code unless it is a large provide with buggy software that reflects badly on Thunderbird's ability to get mail.

The native calendar is fetched through caldav, the provider uses a Google specific XML document there is very little overlap in the code other than the authentication to google.

You are more than welcome to open a discussion on the feedback forum if you think having native Google tasks would be a good idea.

Feedback forum here https://connect.mozilla.org/

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I would suggest as Tasks are provided by the addon you should seek support from the author using the link on the addon web site. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/provider-for-google-calendar/

The web site support link takes you here https://github.com/kewisch/gdata-provider/discussions

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I know my post goes on about the addon a lot as background, but my actual question is the second paragraph. It's about *not* using the addon. I am asking the creator about it, but the problem has been there for so long that I was also asking here if there was a way to avoid using it.

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The add-on exists because it is the only real choice for tasks. Thunderbird does nothing natively and I don't see it being a new feature as there is no standard format for tasks, unlike calendars. So a special set of code would have to be written and built into Thunderbird specifically for that one tasks provider. Historically the development team have shied away from provider specific code unless it is a large provide with buggy software that reflects badly on Thunderbird's ability to get mail.

The native calendar is fetched through caldav, the provider uses a Google specific XML document there is very little overlap in the code other than the authentication to google.

You are more than welcome to open a discussion on the feedback forum if you think having native Google tasks would be a good idea.

Feedback forum here https://connect.mozilla.org/