cng1990 Author

Level 1

61 points

iCloud tabs not syncing/working

iCloud Tabs has stopped working on all of my devices

iCloud Tabs isn't working on any of my devices. I can't see them from my MacBook Pro (macOS Catalina), nor from my iPhone X (running 14.2). I have quadruple checked and iCloud is on and Safari is checked and everything is correct on each device. It was working fine up until I noticed the issued several days ago. I haven't changed any settings or behaviors or changed any features, but for whatever reason it isn't working anymore. And if it does, my computer shows iPhone tabs from the day before and not current tabs and my phone doesn't show my computer tabs at all anymore. Although it's small, it's a feature of iCloud that I use quite often and it's a nuisance to have it not working properly.

I followed all suggestions on forums and articles to turn off iCloud, turn off Safari, etc. on each device and turn it back on but still nothing. I've restarted and rebooted a plethora of times and it's still the same issue. Does anyone have any insights on what could be causing this issue and how to fix it?

Posted on Nov 13, 2020 7:09 AM

Top-ranking reply

Mocharuns

Level 1

27 points

Posted on Jan 24, 2021 5:01 PM

I know it sure is frustrating. If you call Apple, it is free to talk with an advisor. I worked with a senior advisor, told them the steps I already did. We ran through some more steps and I ended up having to send my diagnostics to their engineers. It took a few days (the engineers work via email only), but they did get mine working. With that being said it took a lot of time and caused heaps of frustration. I made two appointments Apple certified repair locations and they both said it had to do with Apple iCloud servers. So I don’t think you can do anything to fix it, if you already ran through the steps. I think they have to fix it at their end. I had three Apple devices not working. They asked me to clear my device and start again. I refused to do that because there was no way three devices were not working correctly. Also, one of my devices was brand new. I also had an Apple location removed the newest iOS I just put on and replace again, just to see if they could fix it. They could not help me. I’m just trying to save you some time. This is what finally ended up working for me. I hope this helps.

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229 replies

Dec 19, 2020 5:26 AM in response to DimloDodge

For me, the iPhone 12 is the device that doesn’t work at all. ‘20 16” MacBook Pro and iPad Pro seem to works, albeit with delayed tab lists. iPhone shows nothing. What’s interesting is the MacBook and iPad both show iPhone tabs. IPhone shows nothing....

nny1001

Level 4

1,398 points

Dec 20, 2020 3:19 PM in response to ShamrockD

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you guys do know this is a User to User forum? Apple has a limited, next to non-existent presence here. This is a place for User to help other Users. If you have an issue, you can contact support directly or go to apple.com/feedback and let them know something is broken.

Dec 27, 2020 6:23 AM in response to cng1990

I have the same issue. I have been playing around with iPhone, iPad and Mac (Big Sur).

After turning off and then on iCloud few times it is now working on iPhone and iPad. On Mac I don't even see the iCloud option under Safari settings. Will try Apple support but I have little hope they can fix it.

Dec 28, 2020 11:51 AM in response to janlichtart

Continuing on my post from yesterday, I neglected to mention that my other Apple device I’m using with my iPhone 12 (iOS 14.2.1) is a MacBook Air (M1 with Big Sur 11.1). This morning my iCloud tabs started showing on my iPhone for the first time since the reset. It also started showing on my MacBook. However, it does not seem to sync any changes in my Safari tabs between my iPhone and MacBook in a reasonable amount of time.

For interest's sake I tested the syncing of Safari bookmarks across my iPhone and MacBook. It syncs within seconds:

If I edit the name of a bookmark on my MacBook, it shows a few seconds later on my iPhone.
If I undo the edit to the bookmark name on my iPhone, it shows a few seconds later on my MacBook.
If I add a new bookmark on my MacBook, it shows a few seconds later on my iPhone.

So the syncing of Safari bookmarks works great for me. It is only the syncing of Safari tabs that needs attention. The syncing of Safari history also seems a bit sluggish.

I know things are rarely as simple under the hood than what it seems from the outside, but whatever syncing approach you're using for bookmarks, could you apply that to tabs/history?

Dec 31, 2020 9:33 AM in response to RedbullandV

It took 3 days but it finally came visible on iPhone. It took only short time for iPad and Mac (not upgraded to Big Sur). The iCloud backup never pulled in the last state of safari with the tabs I had. This was first time doing restore for iCloud. Normally I do the direct transfer option but the apple store / genius desk person refused to let me do it with the screen damaged (but perfectly operational phone). I could have just stepped aside for 15 mins to do it but they refused. Since iCloud backup was deficient and staff policy are inflexible, I got what I got and learn lesson

sn72

Level 1

98 points

Nov 17, 2020 6:48 AM in response to gearboxsg

Where has Apple denied it is an iCloud system issue?

sborelli

Level 1

9 points

Nov 19, 2020 3:10 AM in response to Mike Lehr

Me too, just to add another voice. Tried all the usual tricks, it's simply not working between my devices. Hope Apple acknowledges it. Also my history isn't syncing any more. On all the latest OSes.

goaway7

Level 1

4 points

Nov 19, 2020 1:03 PM in response to cng1990

Also having the same issue. Started happening when I got iphone 12. All software up to date. Tried turning safari on and off on icloud. Restarted everything. Please fix this vital feature!!

Dmello

Level 1

17 points

Nov 22, 2020 3:48 PM in response to Lulu2385

Context: M1 MBP w/ Big Sur, iP11 w/ iOS 14.2, 11" iPP w/ 14.2

Resetting Network Settings on iP11 and iPP worked for me.

Nov 23, 2020 12:00 AM in response to Dmello

Still not working...

Nov 23, 2020 6:16 AM in response to cng1990

Count me in as having this issue also.

Gary86

Level 1

4 points

Nov 23, 2020 4:47 PM in response to cng1990

Same issue. My iPad Pro tabs show up on the 12 pro max but the iPhone tabs don’t show up on the iPad.

Nov 25, 2020 4:46 AM in response to giom01

My Safari iCloud tabs have come back on my iPhone 11.

Dec 9, 2020 5:40 PM in response to cng1990

Same problem. Upgraded from an iPhone 7 to an iPhone X. No iCloud tabs listed at all. All tabs show up on my new iPad Pro and iMac.

Dec 15, 2020 9:27 PM in response to cng1990

I’m also having the same issues between iPhone, brand new iPad and MacBook Pro for several weeks now.

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iCloud tabs not syncing/working