Q: keyboard shortcuts not syncing, bug not fixed with repeated iOS updates
Just reposting all of this as the need to fix the problem doesn't seem to being put on the Apple Developers' radar. And it's frustrating to all of us that want to use this simple feature for exactly the reasons it was added, but if it doesn't work, just get rid of it. Apple community members shouldn't have to be problem solving and drilling into the backend of this problem as we have been, as this is not a fix it is just a temporary work-around that has taken years to figure out.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6616661
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6656922 page 17
- Backup iPhone to iTunes (I used encrypted backup. The only reason for this is because encrypted backups also save Apple Watch health data).
- Open this app after installing on your Mac
- Navigate to System files > KeyboardDomain.
- Delete Delete "CoreDataUbiquitySupport” folder.
- I had a couple more keyboard sounding files from 2013 in the KeyboardDomain folder. One was CloudUserDictionary.sqlite (I forget the other 2). I deleted those.
- Exit icopybot.
- Restore the iPhone backup created in step 1.
- Do the same process for the iPad.
- When done reboot both Macs.
- Clean up your shortcuts on all devices inc Macs - They may not be the same.
- Go to bed! Stuff takes a long time to fully sync.
- 12+ Hours later and several iOS reboots to confirm, no zombie shortcuts are back.
HansWorldTravels Sep 6, 2015 7:11 PM
Re: I cannot delete iPhone keyboard shortcuts. They keep restoring. in response to Pickinic
Picknic,
Looking for your Page 18 solution. Not on 18 (maybe I have to go back some).
This problem is a *****... tired of it, as I've done everything imaginable fight with it a long time (years it feels like!), only starting to make success.
I have an iPhone 5 iOS 8.4.1 (12H321) and an iPad Air2 iOS 8.4.1 (12H321)... and I've updated/backup out the waazoo today. I have no Macs only iOS devices & PCs.
I've followed links, done this, done that, seen shortcuts deleted on iPhone sync over and delete on the iPad. Cycled both devices, cycled the "dictation" button, switched to different keyboards, everything! I have not factory reset either device
Now I'm to this,
1) iPad does not push existing or new Keyboard Hhortcuts to iPhone (I have about 50 there; emails, urls, SM accounts, etc) that I need on my iPhone as iPad is only Wi-Fi, not cellular)
2) iPhone - I have deleted all old shortcuts [I don't want], cycled phone, shortcut list is empty, cycle "dictation" and my list of 3 shortcuts I want & 1 I created new on iPhone will reappear. Zombie shortcuts are gone! Yaaahooooo!
"Push" syncs are not happening from either device now. Isn't this exactly what was supposed to happen in the first place???
I just backed-up via iTunes (no iCloud backup for me only data sync) both devices, cycled... iPad good (its list of 50 shortcuts) & iPhone "good" (blank list --> "dictation" cycle --> 3+1 shortcuts return, no zombies)
New tests of new Keyboard Shortcuts, no "Push" syncs from either device. "dictation" cycle on iPad no longer "importing" iPhone Zombie Keyboard Shortcuts.
So new questions;
1) Where has the original Keyboard Shortcut Sync capability gone to????
2) If the issue is in the iPhone5 as that is the Zombie Keyboard Shortcut Pusher, this must be the device controlling the misplaced file/folder on iCloud [as mentioned throughout many threads ~/Library/Mobile\ Documents/ ~/Desktop/Real\ iCloud\ Drive ] How does a non-techie like me get to it???
I can't go and create 50 "repeated" new Keyboard Shortcuts in my iPhone only for them to vanish and reappear whenever they like. Who knows how long it will be before the original zombies reappear (but I hope they've somehow been cleared from the Library/Mobile "cache" given the repeated testing has wiped them so far.
Thanks!
Any ideas would help
great, found it!
Now how do I do it myself! And, as I just replied before seeing this... I hope you are right that syncing returns again, as that's the only thing missing now that I've gotten the "Zombie Shortcut House" cleaned so to speak. It seems it has been overwritten, the cache cleaned.
Pickinic Sep 6, 2015 8:44 PM
Re: I cannot delete iPhone keyboard shortcuts. They keep restoring. in response to HansWorldTravels
I assume you found the solution reprinted on the prior page. Syncing will resume, but give it some time...
HansWorldTravels Sep 6, 2015 9:20 PM
Re: I cannot delete iPhone keyboard shortcuts. They keep restoring. in response to Pickinic
I did Pickinic!
Unfortunately PageMakers4 made some giant leaps in assuming all forum readers are masters of working with MacOS & iOS with backup files and restoring. Reading through pages of "it's so simple just don't question" teaching-style at Apple is always fun. So backups always are a certain way to burn yourself, i.e., the "Restore" button on iTunes that instantly backs up your device first?!?!?!!?!!?
Gonna have to find someone to walk me through this process, even though the solution seems solid.
HansWorldTravels Sep 7, 2015 8:28 AM
Re: I cannot delete iPhone keyboard shortcuts. They keep restoring. in response to pagemakers4
Just responding to this as it's the solution [I hope!]
But after negotiating passed the "backup & restore is so easy" part, I've edited the files via iBackupBot [deleted them] then restored both my iPhone & iPad after deleting all the suspect folders.
I've added in a test keyboard shortcut on each of the devices that is different than the other. No "realtime" syncing going that I am seeing. Cycling the iPhone on/off --> blank list --> cycle "dictation" --> new "test" shortcut reappears (no zombies). Haven't needed to cycle "dictation" on the iPad.
I went into the new backup file (as I've backed up both devices again after restore) and on the iPhone the folders are back. So I'll just add this screenshot as a point of reference... and start "praying" that what Pickinic said will start happening, .... snycing will resume at some point and zombies will be gone.
I was on the phone with Apple support earlier (iCloud was associating with an old phone number to send a 5-digit verification & found in keychain advanced settings the number is on the device, not be iCloud settings). With this[keyboard shortcut] problem, "yes we are slightly aware of it, maybe next updates will fix it". Right, we know where that will go.
And I guess this is all I have now...
crmac Jul 17, 2015 3:38 PM
Re: iOS 8.1 - Keyboard Shortcuts: Restores Previously Deleted Keyboard Shortcuts in response to edwardmartin77
NEW INFORMATION and POSSIBLE COMPLETE AND TOTAL FIX FROM APPLE --
Well, I've been here in this thread too long (see previous posts) and have stubbornly (and perhaps foolishly) refused to use the 3rd-party solution.
However --
After months of calling Apple, amounting to countless hours for wasted time on the phone, having been passed through no fewer than a dozen Senior Technical Advisors, and after having gone up to Mt. Olympus to ENGINEERING twice, the case was finally passed to an even higher power: THE DEVELOPERS. (everyone say: ooooooooo!...)
What I could not do, what no Advisor could do, and what the first set of ENGINEERS failed to do the first time, THE DEVELOPERS have apparently done. And here's the solution:
Get an Android.
Had to do that, sorry.
No, seriously. Here it is:
Get Apple tech front-end on the phone. Get him/her to "escalate" your case to a Senior Technical Advisor. Don't back down and let the ever-helpful, ever-earnest tech to try to fix it: s/he can't. Don't back down. Get to a Senior Tech, then get that person to work with you to have the ENGINEERS put your account Apple ID into "test mode" (allows them into your account and requires that you let Apple set a temporary password, which you can change when the account is released from test; no apparent risks or mischief). Advise the Senior Tech that the ENGINEERS will need to engage THE DEVELOPERS (dum-dum-DUM). The exalted DEVELOPERS will need to go into your User ID and remove the shortcut file. Once removed, you'll sign in and out of your Apple ID on each device, and voila! No Zombies.
Duh.
It's now been done on both my iPad, and I will -- obviously -- be keeping a sharp eye out for ghosts, vampires, Bill Murray, Glenn Close, the Walking Dead, Spinal Tap, those Grateful guys who play guitars, the random phoenix, soap opera stars who successfully renegotiated their contracts, and anyone who is fluent in Manx. Will report back. I hope I do not eat my words.
iPhone 5
Posted on Sep 7, 2015 9:51 AM
