Safari browsing history from one iOS device is not syncing and not visible on other iOS devices logged on the same iCloud id.
However the open Safari tabs and favourites are getting synced across devices as expected. Only the history is not syncing across devices, and is not expected.
anyone else ?
uandme72 ,
You're amazingly thorough and quick to respond, and you have all your devices updated. I like it!
If you create a new user on your Mac and log into your iCloud account in that user, does Safari browsing history sync to your iOS device(s) from there? This will help us determine whether the connection between the Mac > iCloud > iOS device is central to your Mac.
Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac
If it still isn't syncing to your iOS device(s) from a new user I would either contact Apple Support to see if they have an idea about how to resolve it, or leave them feedback about it here:
Good luck.
uandme72,
Thank you for reaching out at Apple Support Communities today. If I understand correctly, your browsing history isn’t syncing across iOS devices; however, other Safari features like tabs and bookmarks are.
I found a few suggestions for things you can try to get this to start syncing. For example, start by ensuring that all devices are on the latest version of their iOS/iPadOS software.
Make sure that you have Continuity requirements on for each device turned on as outlined in “Set up Handoff” here:
Use Handoff to continue a task on your other devices
Make sure you aren’t browsing privately on one of your devices.
Browse privately in Safari on iPhone - Apple Support
I also noted that you posted in the Mac OS & System Software section. Is browsing history syncing from one of your iOS devices to your Mac?
Cheers.
To avoid confusion, I am correcting the issue explanation:
The Safari history is syncing from any of the iOS device to the Mac. This history item on iOS device appeared on the Safari history list of the Mac within a few minutes.
However, the opposite did not happen.
The history items from Mac appeared on iOS device only once when the iOS device was logged out of iCloud and logged in again. Subsequently, any further history items from Mac did not appear on the iOS device. I tried toggling off/on the Safari in iCloud both on iOS device and Mac and also toggled Handoff (Off/On). But problem remains unresolved and any subsequent history items from Mac device did not appear on iOS.
Similarly history items do not get shared between any two iOS devices using same iCloud id.
Further, the open tabs and favourites are getting synced across iOS and Mac devices on the same iCloud id without any problem. The problem is occurring only for web browsing history which are not syncing to iOS devices. This error occurs even when network settings are reset and iCloud logout and login done. Safari sync is enabled in iCloud settings on all devices.
Hello,
Thanks for the prompt and informative reply. I have checked Handoff to be active.
I have found the Safari history is syncing from one of the iOS device to the Mac. Any website opened on the iOS device created a history item on that iOS device as expected. This history item appeared on the Safari history list of the Mac within a few minutes.
However, the opposite did not happen.
The history items from Mac did not appear on the iOS device. I tried toggling off/on the Safari in iCloud and also toggled Handoff. But problem remains unresolved and history items from iOS device did not appear on Mac.
Kindly advise on how to resolve the issue.
It is clarified that the history items from Mac transferred to iOS device only once when the device was logged out of iCloud and logged in again. Subsequently, the history items from Mac did not appear on the iOS device. I tried toggling off/on the Safari in iCloud and also toggled Handoff. But problem remains unresolved and history items from iOS device did not appear on Mac.
Kindly advise on how to resolve the issue.
uandme72,
That clarification was on point! It sounds like you’ve been conducting some great research. So far we know that your Safari browsing history is syncing as expected from the iOS device to your Mac; however, it only syncs from your Mac to the iOS device(s) once you log out and back into iCloud on that device. It sounds like it only refreshes to the present point and any subsequent Safari history on your Mac remains in limbo until you log out again.
Do I have that correct?
If so, did you log out and back into iCloud on all three devices? Logging out of all devices running iCloud, restarting each device, and then logging back into iCloud is the best way to ensure that iCloud is refreshed across the board.
I’m also curious about the devices you’re using. Which iOS model(s) and iOS version(s) are you running? Which Mac and macOS version?
Is it possible that it’s simply taking a little longer to sync to the iOS device? I realize that it doesn’t appear immediately on your iOS device when you visit a page in Safari on your Mac, but if you wait for a period of time, does it eventually appear?
Does it seem to matter whether you’re using Wi-Fi or the cellular data on your iOS device(s)?
I look forward to learning more.
Take care.
Yes. You are dot on point. The iOS device only refreshes the history up to the present point at the instance of login to icloud. Subsequent Safari history on Mac is not communicated to the iOS device. Also the history does not refresh between two iOS devices. In other words, the iOS devices do not refresh the safari history from either Mac or another iOS device.
I have already tried to logout from all three devices together. And then logged in again to the same iCloud Id. But the problem remains unresolved.
iOS versions are 13.4.1, and Mac Catalina 10.15.4.
I have waited for more than 12 hours for history refresh, but it still did not happen to the iOS devices.
I tried it on WiFi as well as cellular networks, but to no avail.
Hello,
Thanks for the specific and technical reply rather than the general statements.
I tried creating a new user on Mac and repeated the steps. This did not change anything and syncing history did not happen to the iOS devices (Mac did pull history as earlier).
However taking idea from your suggestions, I created a new AppleID and then logged to iCloud on all devices using the new Apple ID/ iCloudID (while on old Mac user account). While logged on the new iCloud ID it seems to sync the Safari history across all devices. Although it needs further testing to conclude, but my initial thoughts point to this.
What do you suggest in this scenario.
To give more information on the issue, it is further clarify that the time required by Mac to pull Safari history items from iOS devices is around 7-8 minutes for every instance.
Is it expected or too slow?
uandme72,
Creating a new Apple ID to test was a great idea! Testing it in a new user let you know that it wasn’t machine related, and testing with an Apple ID confirms that it was account related. I would definitely contact Apple Support and let them know your findings. There may be something they can explore further with your iCloud account.
It's also a good idea to direct them to this thread, it may keep you from having to retrace your steps.
Excellent work!
Safari browsing history of one device not visible on other devices on same iCloud id
