I cannot delete iPhone keyboard shortcuts. They keep restoring.

To use the fix outlined within this thread (pages 17 and 32, I believe), you would need access to a computer because of the app needed to access the files in your phone that need to be deleted. It is truly ridiculous that Apple can't just provide a fix for this, but I'm sure they won't pay the bill!

Agreed Kaycee18,

I'm 30hrs in and still hoping that syncing will return as Pickinic said happened with his.

I don't have a Mac to work off, only PC so there are always details that are not visible thanks to cross platform incompatibilities. From the PC you can't drill down and get file properties. Even saved backups with "dates added to the file name" only populate as generic "iPhone" files to chose during restore. But as you mentioned, the files/folders do repopulate in the "backup" file when looking at in iBackupBot. I think by deleting those original "corrupted" files, we've erased the "cache" where the zombies lived, so are at least several steps ahead.

Getting the sync to work is another story. Fingers crossed before I start adding them again.

So you are on iPhone 6? I was thinking it was something about iPhone 5 hardware architecture that was causing this original problem, but apparently not. I'm still needing to cycle "dictation" on/off after every cycle on/off of the phone itself which results in a blank shortcuts list.

I see someone mentioned iCloud backup again. To kick a deadhorse again, iCloud has nothing to do with this problem.

Cheers

ps.... rumors of the iPhone 6s are starting to circulate again. More useless native apps I'm certain, and even more reason Apple won't deal with this issue. 😐

I wish I wasn't addicted to the physical size and ruggedness of the iPhone5 as well as its software stability. The postcard size 6 and Galaxy, where the market has turned is not a possibility for me. Too delicate like "pretty lil flowers" and I can drop my i5 with a basic rubber protector without worry or put it in a pocket.

Sorry, I was out of town and snuck one post in. I used both a Mac and a PC in fixing mine. I have an iPhone 6, but I originally had the problem on my iPhone 5s and it carried over to my iPhone 6. I don't see that it matters which phone you have. The syncing between devices resumed quickly, but the syncing with my Mac took days. I ended up deleting all of my shortcuts from my Mac and re-entered them and they began syncing with my iPad and iPhone. That seemed to "shock" the system into syncing between the Mac and other devices. I assume you may have to do likewise with your PC.

And I had a 5s and loved it too, but I love my 6 even better. In a case it is as sturdy as my 5s was, but wouldn't use it without a case. It fits in my pocket fine and love the bigger screen and keyboard.

I do have an iPhone 6, but I agree with Pickinic that I don't think that matters. The real issue are those files we addressed and deleted. None of my Zombies have returned. The lack of syncing between iPhone and MacBook is still an issue, which is strange after watching every shortcut I added to my phone instantly populate on the MacBook shortcuts list - but this was after I deleted every shortcut entry on the MacBook. I'm not worried about adding entries to each device at this point since I don't have hundreds of entries.

Yes, that is what I replied to edwardfromcalgary above - he must have a computer to do this fix. I have always had my phone backed up to iTunes, but I know many people who have never done this with their phones, either because they don't have a computer or have another reason for not wanting to connect it to iTunes.

Thanks again, Pickinic, for figuring out that rogue 2013 file! I'm ever so grateful to no longer see old emails and street addresses pop up even though I had edited the shortcuts dozens of times! So, thanks to you and to Chris (LookInToMyEyes) for posting this fix.

Yes, that's correct and it was included in a post somewhere in the past lost among the hundreds of posts here. Good point and worth repeating. I fixed mine so long ago now, I have to admit I'm probably forgetting some of the details. The 2013 file was the big "find" for me. Everything works flawlessly now including the shortcut syncing with my Mac. I was going to stop posting here, but since people have questions and this was the MOST frustrating issue I've dealt with in regard to my iPhone I want others to be rid of this nasty issue too.

I Posted the pertinent page 17 steps & the 'testing details' I added the other day to the 'iOS & iCloud' group the other day just as another 'HELLO' to Apple after their follow up to my call in wanted feedback but wouldn't accept it. Image that there is no group dedicated to just iOS bugs

still waiting for sync to return 😟 but thanks for the info from Pickinic & Kacsee about Mac allowing one to enter keyboard shortcuts that way. Too bad not possible via iTunes, as it's not supported by PCs obviously.

"HansWorldTraves wrote "I see someone mentioned iCloud backup again. To kick a deadhorse again, iCloud has nothing to do with this problem."

Strange, I turned off iCloud and presto - issue goes away - no more Zombies. I turn on iCloud, presto, issue returns. I've tried that three times now with exactly the same results - I'm not certain that iCloud is 100% causing, but it is a catalyst for the problem.

And keep in mind, I'm not connecting to any computer via iTunes - I'm 100% cloud driven with my iPhone 6+ and iPad2. Both are having the exact. same. issue. And both occur the moment I turn on iCloud connectivity. But I also think it may be related to backup VIA iCloud. 😐

It's weird and I'm sure I'll fix it shortly...for both devices.

I Cloud was still causing my issue to return. I followed the steps given by Pickinic but they would still come back after a restart if I had ICloud turned on. With it turned off they didn't. Once I deleted the backup on Icloud, and restored from the image without that 2013 keyboard file I could then restart without issue. Made a new ICloud backup and all good now.

I Agee with all that this is ridiculous. If I wanted to spend hours on forums to learn how to fix my phone I'd have saved a bunch of money and bought an Android!

Step up Apple!! People spend a premium for the high quality and support you're supposed to have. This is BS.

My point was not to offend, only to repeat what was often stated, whether it was backed up via cloud or computer, turning iCloud on or off doesn't matter/fix the problem. if you are 100% cloud based, then turning off iCloud means you are no longer backing up your phone, nor drawing from the 'zombie house' file in the backup. Idk... I'm just waiting for sync to return.

Sigh... now armed with a Macbook Pro... nothing has changed.

Final iOS (8.4.1 12H321) backup/syncs done to my PC... no luck

First iOS backup/syncs done to my MCP... still nothing

I keep adding "tests" to all 3 of them, hoping something, anything will kick in... nothing.

Keyboard Shortcut sync has vanished all together. 😠

thought it was fixed until I got my replacement phone in. Even set up as a new phone wasting hours of time. Then all of a sudden the **** zombies were back! After talking to a useless senior engineer about the issues For over an hour, I finally had to change my current Apple ID to a new email that I owned. Then create a new Apple ID and sign in with that after deleting my shortcuts. Apple refused to just delete my current cloud backup. And yes, I am 100% sure that the cloud backup was still causing my issue because I hadn't even synced my phone to the laptop yet. Has been through several reboots in the last 3 days and all good. Apple has been truly disappointing with this whole thing.

Hey,

Can you do me a huge favor please? I'm challenged in proper Apple Protocols... Can you detail how you get in direct contact with these senior apple engineers?

I have about 24 wake hours in the US before leaving the country, and I guess I'll go directly to these *&^%*( senior engineers & see if they can get [my no longer syncing] problem fixed. Maximize whatever "wasted" hour I can put to this issue. And I guess just say, everyone else should follow this route.

Thanks!