Getting Google Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks to work with Evolution on KDE/Kubuntu 18.04




This guide is intended for those who cannot get the Oauth2 prompt to load up when they select a NEW Google contact/calendar list. If you have a fresh installation you will likely be able to do this (in my experience starting in 18.10 your installation may be different).

So if you use Kubuntu 18.04 or earlier you may be aware that the default email client Evolution has problems adding your Gmail Calendar and Contacts. Evolution is based in GNOME and Kubuntu is KDE, so when you go to the System Settings App and add your Google accounts, the calendar still does not work. How frustrating!

Also, when you try to manage your account passwords you cannot access them via the KWallet manager.

I came across this solution by accident after several frustrating days of troubleshooting the issue after the Google OAuth2 implementation.

Here is how I solved it:

1.    First we need to install several packages:

a.    First install the Password Manager:

    sudo apt install seahorse

b.    Next install the GNOME control centre

    sudo apt install gnome-control-center

c.    Next install the GNOME Online Accounts package

    sudo apt install gnome-online-accounts

2.    If you are using KDE you will have to edit the K-Menu and add the GNOME Control Center

a.    There are two ways:

i.    You can right-click on the K Menu and select ‘Edit Applications ..’ or

ii.    You can run the command by running this command

    kmenuedit

b.    Next select an appropriate location, I created a new item in system.

i.    In Name select a name like:

    Gnome Control Centre (Online Accounts)

ii.    In Description enter a relevant description like:

    This app runs the Gnome Online Accounts so you can add OAuth2 tokes for Gnome apps

iii.    In Command use the following command

    Exec=env XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=GNOME gnome-control-center –overview

iv.    In the icon box, click it and type gnome in the search box and select the icon shown below and click ok:

v.    You should now have something looking like this:


3.    Now you can add your Google Account

a.    Go to your created icon in Kmenu to run the application
b.    Make sure Online Accounts is selected
c.    Select Google, and sign in and accept its default selections
d.    Now Google should show up as a default account



4.    And finally you can add the calendar and contacts in Evolution mail (you shouldn't have to do this, it should show up automatically, but just in case..)

a.    Go to Evolution mail
b.    Switch to contacts
c.    Right click in the contacts left pane and select ‘Add new Address Book’
d.    In type, select Google
e.    In Name, select the custom name and select your custom options for birthdays and default
f.    In the user type in your gmail email address
g.    Next select calendar and if it’s not already there click File > New > Calendar
h.    In type, select Google
i.    In Name, select a custom name and select your default and other options
j.    In the user type in your gmail email address

5.    If you want to manage your google passwords either:

a.    Run Passwords & Keys from the K Menu
b.    Or run the command

    seahorse

6.    Enjoy Google integration with Evolution!


Used with information from

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