Apple Notes takes really long time to sync between devices

I would like to know if there are any updates to this issue. I am having the same issue. I have an iPhone 12 Pro running iOS 17.2.1. My iPhone is connected to power and connected to WiFi. Sync with iCloud is enabled. I have no VPN or MDM running on the device.

One hour? My Apple Notes sometimes take a week to sync. I gave up. It's not reliable. I have an Iphone 15 pro max, Ipad pro, and Macbook Air M2. Everything is updated, and nothing syncs properly. I have three different devices with three different note counts. Some things never sync.

Thank you let me clarify what I'm seeing:

I am using the Notes app on my Mac and my iPhone. They are not staying in sync. I then log onto Notes in iCloud via Safari to test and debug where the issue is more precisely.

To be clear, last night I did the following:

• Created "Test note from iPhone" in the Notes app on my phone <-- this did not sync for at least 20 minutes
• Created "Test note from Mac" in the Notes app on my Mac <-- this did not sync for at least 20 minutes
• Created "Test note from iCloud" in the Notes app in iCloud (via Safari). <-- this sync'd immediately.

As of this morning:

• Note created on my iPhone has not synced do any other device. Still not working.
• Note created on my Mac has synced to my iPhone (and to iCloud). So the sync worked overnight.
• Note created in iCloud synced immediately to both iPhone and Mac Notes apps.

Please help as I need the Notes app on my iPhone and Mac to stay in sync (preferably within 10 minutes or so).

Thanks, David

I guess we just have to wait until Tim Apple has this issue on his devices, I’m sure it will get corrected then. 😂

@sberman

same has been happening to me on multiple MacBooks, and iOS devices.

notes do not sync within reasonable time frame. I’ve seen upwards of 12 hours. Sometimes more. Not sure what triggers it to resync but there needs to be a manual sync option really.

im not using VPN, don’t believe I have managed account and we’re talking full battery.

this is not a phantom non existent issue, I can replicate it on every device and any internet connection.

syncing device to device simply doesn’t respect push/pull properly like other iCloud based apps do.

calendar and reminders for example sync just fine right away as do pictures and such. Only notes has a problem which I think rules out all the stuff you said were possible issues anyways.

I'm having this same issue. Ventura 13.3.1.a, iOS 16.4.1.a.

• Notes made on Mac are not syncing to iCloud.
• Notes made on iPhone are not syncing to iCloud.

** Notes made in iCloud (via Safari) *are syncing as I type* to both Mac and iPhone.

I have rebooted both my Mac and my iPhone but it does not impact the issue.

Either the push software on the devices is not working or the "pull / receiver" software in iCloud is backed up or offline.

I've had the same problem every time I set up a new device (iPhone, Mac, iPad) or I reset the iCloud account on a device. It takes forever for the Notes to sync to the new device while the syncing symbol keeps endlessly rotating.

The solution I've found is the following: the Notes app (both on macOS or iOS/iPadOS) needs to be active in the foreground till the whole sync process is finished this includes NOT locking the device or letting it display go automatically to sleep, i.e.:

-> prevent auto lock-screen in the settings

-> open the app

-> keep the app open

-> NEVER switch to another app or go to home screen on iOS/iPadOS or switch focus to another open app on macOS!

-> wait for the whole sync to finish (which might take a while, ~5-10Minutes in my case)

-> after the sync is finished you could reactivate the auto lock.

Let me know if this helps.

PS:

• I think the reason is that Apple sends the whole history of changes made to the notes one small changeset at a time and applies them one after another with some some idiotic implementation somewhere, and whenever the device is locked or the Notes app is not in the foreground the whole process seems to stop or potentially start all over again (the same happens, if you get frustrated and reset your iCloud). This might not be a problematic implementation if one has only one note for grocery shopping, but if you have many big notes that you've used for years, this will take forever. Great work Apple!!

This issue is between iOS and iCloud, why are you providing a link to update macOS?

I've had this issue since Day 1 of purchasing my Macbook Pro; it has taken up to 24 hours to sync with both my previous iPhone XR and my current iPhone 13 Pro. Verrrry frustrating. Have tried multiple fixes, including ensuring both are up to date with the latest software version.

But my photos also take 12 to 24 hours to sync.

Here is how to perform the update. Note the App Store is not involved.

Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

I cannot imagine what is causing your issue.

About all that come to mind are three possibilities:

1. You are using a managed Apple ID (governed by a school or employer). They may set boundaries on iCloud access.
2. You have some Wi-Fi impediment, such as VPN or anti-virus software, or have chosen not to use Wi-Fi (use cellular data instead).
3. You have some battery issues, such as poorly charged equipment or using Low Power Mode.

Good luck with this.

Apparently not. What's really odd is that I signed out of iCloud on my three devices, rebooted, made sure that the Notes were indeed in the iCloud folder and still, when I signed back in only the iPhone where I created the most recent notes had the updated notes. The other two devices reloaded the older notes. Frustrating.

Easy55 wrote:

My devices are all updated. Using iOS 16.4.1 and macOS is 13.2.1.

The current MacOS version is 13.3.1.