Unable to collaborate on Apple Notes since iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019)

This is what happens when I attempt to Collaborate on Apple notes:

1. The system lags for about 5-10 secs
2. A window pops up to Create A Link
3. I input the recipient's name / phone number / email address
4. I click Share Link
5. Nothing happens
6. Sometimes, I can see the person is added as collaborator.
7. Usually, the recipient is unable to access the note OR they get a notification that the Note is not accessible or has been deleted.

This has been happening to me since iPhone 11 Pro Max when I got it in 2019.

I have read all the support pages on official Apple website (which doesn't actually say anything useful) :

1. Share or collaborate in the Notes app - Apple Support
2. Share notes and collaborate on iPhone – Apple Support (UK)
3. Receiver can’t open shared notes - Apple Community
4. can't share the note and collaborate - Apple Community
5. missing colaborate option in notes - Apple Community
6. Collaboration in notes - Apple Community
7. Collaborating a note not working - Apple Community
8. Why can’t I collaborate on notes? - Apple Community
9. Upgraded to iOS 16 and now Notes Collabor… - Apple Community
10. Trouble sharing/collaborating with the No… - Apple Community
11. Unable to collaborate comes up before eve… - Apple Community
12. I am not able to do collaborate for notes - Apple Community

I have also done almost everything recommended by Apple support and the community including:

1. I have turned iCloud Drive ON & OFF (and ON & OFF & ON & OFF for good measure). Nothing works.
2. I have turned Apple Notes in iCloud Drive ON & OFF (and ON & OFF & ON & OFF for good measure). Nothing works.
3. I have turned Freeform in iCloud Drive ON & OFF (and ON & OFF & ON & OFF for good measure). Nothing works.
4. I have deleted and reinstalled Apple Notes.
5. I have deleted and reinstalled Freeform.
6. Notes are not locked.
7. I once deleted all Notes and tried inviting a collaborator on a fresh Note. Didn't work either.
8. I tried inviting a collaborator on a blank Note. Didn't work.
9. I tried inviting a collaborator on a Note with just text. Didn't work.
10. I tried inviting a collaborator on a Note with just drawing. Didn't work.
11. I tried inviting a collaborator on a Note with just a link. Didn't work.
12. I tried inviting a collaborator on a Note with text and drawing. Didn't work.
13. I tried inviting a collaborator on a Note with text and link. Didn't work.
14. I tried inviting a collaborator on a Note with drawing and link. Didn't work.
15. Under 'Who Can Access', I have tried both 'Only Invited People' and 'Anyone with Link'. Nothing works.
16. Under 'Permissions', I have tried both 'Can make changes' and 'view only'. Nothing works.
17. I have turned 'Allow others to invite' ON and OFF. Nothing works.
18. I have tried sending the shared collaboration link via Messages, WhatsApp, and email. Nothing works.
19. I have also reformatted my phone(s) multiple times.
20. I have ensured I have no drawings in any Apple Notes
21. I am logged into the correct iCloud account
22. My recipient is logged into their correct iCloud account
23. I have tried sharing a Note from my phone (11 PM / 13 PM / 15 PM / currently 16 PM), iPad Pro and even from my Macbook Pro...nothing works!
24. I have consulted Apple Support directly via call and email. I have even sent a copy of phone diagnostics and THEY are STILL baffled.
25. I have tested it with a friend and they are able to send me a note to collaborate on. However, I do not receive a link or notification to collaborate.

I am frustrated - this is a core Apple app, not a 3rd party.

NOTE: I hope this thread is kept open because nothing seems to work. Apple Support and Community have no answers, and it's highly unethical to be closing threads that aren't resolved just because another thread has a similar-sounding answer. Most of the closed threads didn't even have the OP confirming the proposed solution worked. It was just closed immediately after the solution was proposed.