Why is iCloud syncing paused on my iPhone 13 mini?

For me, syncing paused happens on my iPhone and iPad, but not on my Mac. I can make any number of changes in the Finder to files in iCloud and the changes are uploaded immediately. So I think it must be an issue on iOS and not server-side.

I’ve had this problem not only with thinking to iCloud but downloading from iCloud back up when restoring an iPhone 12. It is a problem. I have been in contact with customer support twice a week since the beginning of December. They know, and I have given them the best diagnosis I can to where they’re hanging up. I don’t know exactly where, but it seems like iOS does not understand download or upload by cellular, even if Wi-Fi is turned off in the settings. They are working on it and as of 9:30 AM New York time there is no update to iOS 17.2.1.

I’ve been in contact with my CSR who is keeping abreast about of this for me. The sync problem, apparently, is more pervasive than just iCloud. They are still working on it. Or so I’m told.

Rebooting my phone and finding a location in the house with more bars solved the problem for me. Reception at home varies from 1 bar to 4 bars depending upon where I am in the apartment. If you can find out where the antennae are for your supplier, standing closer to that location should help. Relying on Wi-Fi works best if you have your own broadcast point in-house.

#ButWhatDoIKnow

The problem is with photos 'syncing paused for 12 items no internet connection'.

Reboot no help.

Re suggested solution of turning off syncing to iCloud Drive, I got this message:

”Some Changes Haven't

Synced to iCloud

If you turn off syncing this iPhone before your files have synced, you will lose your changes.

Turn off and Delete from iPhone”

I cancelled.

Same here with ipad air. Plenty of memory free in icloud (and devices) but items stuck in "syncing," then "syncing paused," and now I see nothing about syncing but the items are not in photos. They've seemingly just vanished into ... who knows where. This started more than 12 hours ago, devices restarted, still nothing.

Ransomware, i lost a ton of data on Windows it synced for almost a month, wrote constantly to the SSD synced not much. At some point I was so frustrated that I'd rather had my data lost than waste my life away, even copying to another folder was slow because you couldn't just end the service. so thank you Apple.

“Even now when I am syncing, it syncs a file or two, pauses, syncs again, pauses..”

I have this every day in iOS 16.latest.

pretty sure it’s either from not using the correct emojis, or from repeatedly leaving fed up comments in Feedback.

PS - i keep trying to mark your replies “helpful” but it’s grayed out.

sorry. but what "iphone thing" are you referring too? my issue started after switching apple id's. was sharing the same apple id with my wife, and finally decided to separate. (our id's not from marriage). ever since my messages app is stuck w/ "syncing paused" at the bottom.. and i've tried everything i've found online. :-( have also done an update since the issue started. please help.. :-(

Useless garbage advice instead of fixing it.

None of us gave permission to Apple to stop syncing the phone so that what we need is NOT AVAILABLE when we want it. So of course, syncing the phone in an emergency is off!!!!

It should not be possible for Apple to cheat customers by turning off syncing the phone EXACTLY when we need it most. Crooks!

There seems to be a major glitch since iOS 16, at least, in synching to iCloud and downloading from Apple. I have been working with Customer Support level 3 in trying to resolve this shortcoming. I feel a fix could be out soon. But the resolution is Apple’s responsibility, I’m just a regular guy who stumbled upon something and didn’t let go.

In testing a synch/download problem, I tried that and found my synching paused. There is something about using and not using WiFi that creates a “hung” situation. Sometimes it hangs especially with WiFi on but not connected.

But Apple is working on it.

Same problem as others. Messages pause in iCloud syncing. Tried everything mentioned in this forum as well as other sources online. I also upgraded my storage to 200 GB though still had 9 GB left. Have contacted support 3 times yesterday and gone through all the suggested steps they give me and despite all that last night I tried for the third time while connected to power, deleting all the messages in cloud and then started the 4 hour process of getting them synced to cloud again. After 4 hours that blue line gets almost to the very end and then I get the sync paused message with 543 messages left to sync. Not sure exactly how long this has been going on, I suspect since iOS 17. Currently my phone is updated to iOS 17.2.1. Calling support again today but doubtful there is a fix. My apple care runs out on January 2.

Thanks for your reply NeedMuchMoreInformation. I read your comment earlier and thought similar problem is going on. Like you it is hard for me to let something go when it isn't working correctly and I hope the fix comes sooner rather than later.

Floydius recommended starting the procedure from Settings. It solved my Messages sync problem.

I have noticed Photos can be a pain, which is why I turn off iCloud Photos. If I want it there, I will put it there. I’m way past needing 25 images that vary by the placement of a pinky.