Q: iOS 9 / iTunes / Outlook Notes sync on Windows

For other threads for this:

"iTunes could not sync notes to the iPhone because the iPhone disconnected"

Error with iOS9 iTunes could not sync notes to iPhone because the iPhone disconnected

iTunes 12 Still doesn't sync w/Outlook Notes

iOS 9 / iTunes / Outlook Notes sync on Windows

Thank You.

I thought it would be helpful to mention again that according to a screenshot of a message from Apple Developer Relations (see the post from Phil_from_Gideon-IT on Pg. 8), this is not a bug or a mistake, but a decision by Apple to permanently discontinue the ability to sync Notes with Outlook. Here is the quote from his post:

"Engineering has provided the following feedback regarding this issue:  Syncing notes with Outlook is no longer supported for iOS 9 devices.  We are closing this bug report.  If you have questions regarding the resolution of this issue, please update your bug report with that information.  Please be sure to regularly check new Apple releases for any updates that might affect this issue."

This seems clear that engineering has no intention of providing a fix, so get used to the loss of this capability. My original suggestion to write to Apple top management still stands. Although that suggestion was deleted by the forum moderator, you can look up the contact info for yourself here. I would direct the letter to the CEO and copy both the VP of Internet Software & Services as well as the VP of Software Engineering. Make sure you reference this large forum thread so their staff can see the level of interest in reversing this unfortunate decision. I'm afraid complaining solely on this forum will be a waste of time.

Yeah, umm, no. I will not be "getting used to it" - I'll be divesting myself of my Apple mobile devices instead of upgrading them. To quote the 'Cereal Killer' character from the movie "Hackers": "It's universally stupid, man". We are their bread and butter; what we need from the product is the demand driver. If they're so foolish as to start nerfing essential feature draws, they can expect to get back to the bad-old days of Amelio.in short order.

I hope this is a joke.

One word for Apple user's: usability. This is, making things that people need in a simpler and more friendly manner.

But you have to do the relevant things!.

Mmmm...recently I've been comparing with one of my friends with the Windows Phone, and honestly, I think that now Windows Phone is going in front of iOS...on usability, and features.

Looking to Nokia devices now... (iphone 6...my last iPhone?).

I am interested in any thoughts from posters on alternatives to the iPhone. My contract is up in about 45 days, so I need to look for something that works seamlessly with Outlook. I use my mobile device to manage my business, not sketch in my Notes app! This change in philosophy by Apple has me very nervous, and am entirely open to a Windows Phone solution, etc., if that is what it takes to have a reliable device that puts a priority on protecting my data.

It doesn't matter which phone you select. All of them have problems syncing with Outlook. Windows Phone does not sync with Outlook PC out-of-the-box. Rather, like Androids want you to sync with Google, Microsoft wants you to sync with Outlook.com/Office 365.

Apple wants you to sync with iCloud.

Androids with iPhone. But companies like Samsung have their own sync software in Kies and Smart Switch, but they're not the best for Outlook.

My advice is to get the phone you want and choose third party software that best meets you needs. One thing I've learned with the free third party apps is that you get exactly what you pay for. For most of us, it's critical that our Outlook data syncs completely and accurately. Most of the free and some of the fee don't do this well.

It doesn't matter which phone you select. All of them have problems syncing with Outlook. Windows Phone does not sync with Outlook PC out-of-the-box. Rather, like Androids want you to sync with Google, Microsoft wants you to sync with Outlook.com/Office 365.

Apple wants you to sync with iCloud.

Androids with iPhone. But companies like Samsung have their own sync software in Kies and Smart Switch, but they're not the best for Outlook.

My advice is to get the phone you want and choose third party software that best meets you needs. One thing I've learned with the free third party apps is that you get exactly what you pay for. For most of us, it's critical that our Outlook data syncs completely and accurately. Most of the free and some of the fee don't do this well.

gadgetphan,

Any suggestion on something RELIABLE? I don't mind paying for it as long as it is RELIABLE.

I run a tremendous risk if the sync is incomplete. I just had this happen a week ago on my iPhone sync with Outlook--many of my Outlook CONTACT Notes (the actual Notes that are part of the Outlook Contact record) converted to HTML and then truncated. It appears that anything that was entered after my last sync went to data heaven. I spent many hours working with a backup Outlook .PST data file from prior to the bad sync to try to recover my data. I still don't know what I may have lost, but I have about had it with this iTunes toy software for business use.

I also have always synced my Outlook 2010 Notes to my iPhone & iPad. Since the latest update I am no longer able to do this.

I visited my local Apple Store to discuss it with no success.

Hey iUS18. I've bridged this gap by installing AkrutoSync (http://www.akruto.com/) on my Windows PC. The set-up instructions take about 5mins to follow and are generally not difficult. AkrutoSync has you add an MS Exchange Account profile on your iPhone in "Settings->Mail, Contacts, Calendar", and it uses your home Wifi network to achieve the sync. The instructions can be found here if you want to be sure this will work for you (http://www.akruto.com/files/UserGuide.pdf) .I didn't use any of the DNS-based options, I set mine up to synch over my personal Wifi at home. Since I installed Akruto on my PC and selected to Sync Notes, Contacts, Tasks, and Calendar on my Outlook's Main account. So my set-up choice starts on Page-26, and skipped all the DNS set-up stuff in the preceding alternate approach pages. I recommend doing it this way for no reason other than it's simple.

I then went to my iPhone's "Settings->Mail, Contacts, Calendars" default Email account and turned-off Notes. Finally, I went to iTunes and for the "Info" settings I turned-off synch of Contacts, Calendar, etc.

I'm now synching Contacts, Notes, Calendars, and Tasks to my iPhone using Akruto and not iTunes or Apple's Notes application.

From now onward, whenever I open Notes on my iPhone at home and my PC is turned on, my Notes will synch. So far it seems to be working just fine.

In my opinion, having to use a 3rd Party application like this is unacceptable with Apple products - it pretty much makes Apple now a me-too product that's in the same space as Android and other lesser products. That's a step backward for what was the clear leader and go-to choice. I can't believe Cook has allowed the company to take this kind of retrograde direction.

I've been using the Akruto application now for about a week and it is working well. As others have said, NO more iTunes period...

I'm replying to my own post to say that after much searching the last workaround that I posted about using the notes field in Outlook contacts is working well for me.  Additionally, I followed a previously posted suggestion and wrote letters of complaint and sent them by snail mail to the top three Apple corporate officials including Mr. Tim Cook and received an email and a call today from one of his assistants.  I was unable to answer the call at the time and have tried calling back but got only his voicemail so far.  If I am able to talk to him later, I will post what transpired during the call.

Regarding a telephone conversation with Apple Inc. on
October 13, 2015

Yesterday, I received both a telephone call (which I missed) and an email from the Corporate Executive Relations office of Apple Inc. in
Houston, TX.  This was in response to the letter I sent to CEO Tim Cook regarding the issue that many of us have experienced
with iOS 9 and the associated upgrade of its Notes app.  I returned the telephone call later in the afternoon and here is the essence of the conversation.

As expected, nothing was resolved, nor could it have been, in the 30-minute discussion I had with their representative, but I did come away with the feeling that Apple was interested in learning more about “what’s going on?”  She explained that she had gathered up all of the information we have posted on the Apple Support Communities Forum---namely,  iOS 9 /iTunes/Outlook Notes sync on Windows.   She also said she had read the many Chat Room conferences that I had with their Support Team, which involved Senior Supervisors and took place well before I learned about the above forum.  Her job appeared to be to put together a package to present to the top engineering staff.

I used this opportunity to make some general statements, as follows:

• The upgrade to “New” Notes is very concerning.  Many of us have now experienced loss of data because we put our trust in Apple to properly sync with Microsoft’s Outlook Notes. 
• At the very least, the upgrading script for New Notes should have
                 a) warned the user that their data may be in jeopardy, and
                 b) provided a second alert within the script to allow for escape.
• Assuming it’s not high management’s actual position, it seems rather lame for Apple’s staff to come out with the statement:  “Notes Syncing between
  iOS 9 and Outlook is no longer available and Out of Support" - iOS Engineering-Team
• It would be appropriate for Apple to tell the iPhone/iPad community, especially the Forum, what they plan to do about this issue, keeping
  in mind that some of us do not want to use any cloud for sensitive data, preferring to use direct USB connection with our PCs.  [I pointed out that I even refuse to use social media products, such as LinkEd, Facebook and Twitter, despite the fact that I live in Palo Alto and personally know many of the players.]
• Many of us have found work-around methods, including third-party products, to manage data that we pass between PCs and Apple
  devices, but be forewarned that others may already have given up on Apple and are moving to the competition.

Let's hope that Apple responds to our complaints in a proper and useful manner.

W R Nelson

Stanford University (retired)

For me, Akruto is reliable and accurate. It even has a sync history feature that allows you to restore changes whether accidental or on purpose. I have thousands of contacts. I tried four products and AkrutoSync was the only one that successfully synced all of my Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks/reminders. Info here: www.akruto.com.

I'm sure you know this -- be sure to have various backups before you try anything. If I had not done that while trying out different products, I would've been in big trouble!