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iOS 9 Notes not syncing

I noticed that since I updated to iOS 9 the App Notes is no longer synchronising with my MacBook Pro via iCloud.

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9

Posted on Sep 17, 2015 2:58 AM

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Posted on Sep 19, 2015 4:46 PM

I am having this same problem. Please let us know if you figure it out.

112 replies

Nov 19, 2015 9:23 AM in response to H-one

If you have iOS 9 and El Capitan, please explain what type of notes account you're referring to. iCloud notes? Gmail notes? Yahoo notes? Outlook notes?


If you look at how this thread started, it is not about notes not syncing in general, it was a specific issue with iCloud notes not syncing between iOS 9 and (at the time) Yosemite. This was resolved by updating your Mac to El Capitan, or not electing to update the notes format as part of the iOS9 upgrade (you had an option to update the format or not, but once you update then syncing broke with Yosemite). But iCloud notes sync just fine between iOS 9 and El Capitan, and if you're having a problem with that exact scenario then you have a different issue and ought to start a new topic.

Nov 19, 2015 10:22 AM in response to rockmyplimsoul

The problem is completely fixed by OS X 10.11.1.


I deleted my Notes accounts on my Macbook, installed the MAC OS X update, set up Notes with my Apple ID (Note: NOT MY ICLOUD ACCOUNT, although it could be same - mine is not) and it all works like a dream.


Many other synching problems still with IOS and MAC OS (contacts, photos etc), but Notes now works

Nov 22, 2015 9:14 PM in response to Markino

To sync Mac notes with Gmail


At System Preferences Internet Accounts, Set up Internet account (Gmail) to use with Notes. If you have upgraded to EL Capitan, suggest you deselect Note and then select it again.


To sync IPAD notes with Gmail


At Settings - Mail, Contacts and Calendars Add your Gmail account and select syncing with Notes (although Notes was not mention it is one of the options after the account was set up)

Nov 23, 2015 4:00 AM in response to Markino

This seems to be a known problem. I was on the phone for 45 minutes Friday Nov. 20, 2015. Finally a supervisor came on and said it's a known problem with the upgrade. For me it has impacted most of my programs (Photos, Contacts...). They did a diagnostic, and are 'working on it'. Still not solved. They should be posting something on this. The fix seems to be very manual. The only way to get yours fixed is to call Support, but ask for a supervisor and don't let them take you through troubleshooting.

Dec 10, 2015 10:25 AM in response to KCKatherine

Apple changed iOS notes. This broke notes sync functionality in Yosemite.

Apple has not fixed what is broken so I'm not using iCloud for this anymore.

Good job Apple.


I'm now syncing apple notes through a Gmail account on iOS 9.2 and Yosemite.


Google is doing a great job with this. Apple is not. It's not my preference though. I have pro apps that are broken with El Capital so I cannot upgrade. They are still broken, and Apple also broke the USB audio driver for a lot devices out there, and I don't believe that's been fixed yet either.


Apple needs another Steve Jobs to police product quality and design. Look no further than an iPad with a stylus but without a stylus holder! What? And this week, "The iBump", Apple's new iPhone battery case.

Jan 4, 2016 10:03 AM in response to Markino

Ridiculous that Apple hasn't addressed this in a Yosemite update. Embarrassing really. Like many I'm in no hurry to jump on board a new system when I have work professionally on this machine and don't want to risk breaking anything until I know El Capitan is 100% reliable. But this is a fundamental issue that Apple should have jumped on months ago. Get the lead out Apple.

Jan 4, 2016 8:33 PM in response to Markino

I have dug into this issue. As one person said, and perhaps the best option:


lets say you and your spouse share icloud accounts and can no longer see new notes she creates on her device on her primary account when looking at her account on your phone, configured as a secondary account.


Make a new apple ID / icloud account that you share and turn on the notes only. Add it to your (and hers) device now a secondary or tertiary account and the notes sync up fine.


Either apple "removed the feature" or they just screwed up during the modernization of the icloud account for el cap and ios9, and they just wont admit it. Hopefully they fix it, but for now, just share a secondary account just for notes, or use a gmail account and both log into it and turn notes on, or use a 3rd party.


So in other words, it appears that perhaps new icloud addresses (accounts) created after the update/modernization, work fine between all devices.


OR, it could just be that accounts set as primary cant talk to each other anymore, and accounts that are secondary on different devices talk to each other just fine.


I know, confusing.

Feb 4, 2016 9:46 AM in response to Markino

I have had the same problem. My Apple Notes on my iPad does not synch with iCloud and the Notes app on my iPhone under the same user id. Reading this whole string I can see it is a deeper problem. This is an embarassment. Apple should spend some of its massive stockpiles of cash reserves on getting its software to "just work" which is why many of us moved to Apple in the first place. Try using some of the millions being invested in high fashion watch bands? Apple has always been pretty poor at software development especially cloud based platforms and now companies like Google and even Microsoft are evolving better devices and tools and may soon surpass them.

Feb 4, 2016 9:51 AM in response to anthrocode

I do miss Apple's old philosophy. I'm afraid it may have died with Steve Jobs... Many things seem rushed these days. The attention to detail often isn't there. For instance, the newer iPhones that are only larger... I felt Steve would've had the old size and added the two larger sizes then seen if there was enough interest in the larger ones before phasing out the big ones. It's the reason the iPhone has been on the decline, in my opinion.


Oh well... Smaller iPhone to be announced in March.

Apr 6, 2016 8:06 PM in response to Markino

Here is the answer people...


Assuming you have upgraded to El Capitan...

and assuming you can't get your notes app on your mac to sync properly with iCloud and your iOS device...


Go into safe mode and open notes there.

You will suddenly see all of you iCloud notes populating where they weren't before.

Let them complete.

Then when you restart normally, your notes should be sync'd properly.


1. Do a Parameter Ram Restart first:

Restart your mac by holding simultaneously these four keys: command+option+p+r.

Let the machine "gong" a couple of times then release the four keys.


2. After the 2nd "gong" hold down the shift key to take her into safe mode.

This start up in safe mode has the added benefit of clearing your cache and you may notice more disk space and / or performance improvements.

You will notice a few extra graphics sweeping vertically on your display, don't be concerned, this is normal.

You should see a red "safe mode" in the upper right corner of your display.


3. Open notes and look for new notes popping up.


4. Restart your machine normally.


5. Open notes and see if all of your iCloud notes are there now.

Test it out; make some new modifications to a note on your iOS device or in iCloud and see if they show up on your notes app on the mac.


You're welcome

😉

May 11, 2016 6:23 AM in response to ataru76

I have same issue. iPad and iPhone both use iOS 9.3.1. Both using same Apple ID ac. Recently (7 May) notes just stopped syncing And yet to find a solution. Tried all the earlier suggested Logoff and login methods but to no avail.


COuple of months ago same issue mysteriously appeared for 1-2 weeks and then mysteriously resolved without me doing anything. Now it's back.


I Noticd this thread started in Sep 2015 and the issue seems to not have been fixed to this day.


Hope that Apple really look into this. It's driving a lot of people nuts.

iOS 9 Notes not syncing

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