There are any number of problems one could have with iCloud. The current issue many users are seeing is this:
- Documents & Data won't sync
- Photo Streams work fine
- On a Mac, an error message appears in Console uniquity-digest.log: "there was a http error 503 while talking to iCloud reason: ubiquity account locked"
- When you log into icloud.com, you're able to log in, but if you click on "Pages", you're immediately logged out.
If the last two aren't happening to you, go try the various troubleshooting tips mentioned elsewhere. If these are, read on.
I've just spent an hour and a half on the phone with Apple support, getting myself transferred up 3 levels. This is a known issue with iCloud. It started (for me) at just after midnight on Sept 22, 2013.
The issue, simply, is this: your iCloud account has been locked.
Now for causes and solutions:
- If you tried logging into your iCloud account unsuccessfully recently, your account may be legitimately locked.
- Normally this lock is due to failed login attempts as a security measure. In this case, it will unlock after 8 hours.
- Wait 8 hours and it'll unlock.
- Starting sometime last week, this issue started affecting various iCloud customers (I don't know how many or why). If you've been seeing this issue (your ubiquity-digest.log file should show you how long this has been affecting you) for more than 8 hours, you're being affected by the broader issue.
- Apple says they're working on it. For many users iCloud document sync will just start working again.
- I recommend:
- Wait until Monday Sept 30, 2013.
- If you're still seeing the issue, call Apple Support. Tell them the following (if it's true for you):
- Documents in (list your iCloud apps, like Pages, Numbers, Day One, Clear) will not upload to or download from iCloud.
- On your Mac, in the Console, you're seeing an error stating "there was a http error 503 while talking to iCloud reason: ubiquity account locked".
- When you log into icloud.com, you're able to log in, but if you click on "Pages", you're immediately logged out.
Hopefully your issue will just resolve itself. That's why I recommend waiting. The only reason to call Apple support is that if many people call, it's more likely that Apple will make the issue a priority, or update their system status. It also serves to make them aware that your account is affected, and that they haven't fixed the problem yet (in case they think they have). The downside of calling, however, is that it will take you a long time to wade through basic troubleshooting steps before getting to the person that tells you it's a known issue.