iCloud notes only syncing in WiFi, not in Cellular

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Level 1

9 points

iCloud notes only syncing in WiFi, not in Cellular

Hello,

i got a strange issue with my iPhone 5 with iOS9 (9.0.2, but previous 9.x version same problem).

My iCloud notes are only synced with my iPhone when connected to a WiFi network. There is no way to get it sync over cellular network (3G, Vodafone Germany).

Cell coverage is good, all other things (browsing, mails, facebook, twitter) are working fine.

If i disable "Notes" sync in the settings app and delete all notes from my device and re-enable Notes nothing will get synced over cellular (only the folder "iCloud" will be created). If i connect to a WiFi network it just takes seconds to get all my iCloud Notes back to my phone.

Some more information i can provide:

- I only have 3 notes (WiFi Passcodes, Shopping Lists...). No big data!

- I don't use the Apple Mail App for syncing my mails (i use mymail instead). So mail sync is disabled in my icloud profile

- It was working fine with iOS 8

Any ideas?

iPhone 5, iOS 9.0.2

Posted on Oct 8, 2015 10:54 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Winston Churchill

Level 10

122,487 points

Oct 9, 2015 1:56 AM in response to Raducanu

Have you checked Settings > Mobile data (might be called cellular data on some devices) > Use mobile data for ... to see if nots is checked or not.

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Answer 2

Raducanu Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 9, 2015 2:00 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Settings -> Mobile Data -> Use for "Notes" is enabled...

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Answer 3

Oct 9, 2015 2:05 AM in response to Raducanu

Mmmm, also I note you say notes don't sync by cellular after you re-enable notes syncing, do they sync when you just create a new not or not.

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Answer 4

Raducanu Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 9, 2015 2:21 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Connected to WiFi

Test 1: Change existing note on icloud.com.

Result: Changes are pushed to iPhone in seconds

Test 2: Create new note on icloud.com.

Result: Changes are pushed to iPhone in seconds

Test 3: Change existing note on iPhone

Result: Changes are pushed to icloud.com in seconds

Test 4: Create new note on iPhone

Result: Changes are pushed to icloud.com in seconds

Connected to Cellular only (3G, fast connection [~10Mb/s Downstream, 3,5Mb/s Upstream])

Test 1: Change existing note on icloud.com.

Result: Changes are not pushed to iPhone (waited 60sec)

Test 2: Create new note on icloud.com.

Result: Changes are not pushed to iPhone (waited 60sec)

After Test 1 & 2 i enabled WiFi again and the changes where pushed within seconds

Test 3: Change existing note on iPhone

Result: Changes are not pushed to iCloud (waited 60sec)

Test 4: Create new note on iPhone

Result: Changes are not pushed to iCloud (waited 60sec)

And again, after enabling WiFi, all changes were pushed within seconds

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Answer 5

Oct 9, 2015 2:26 AM in response to Raducanu

Do you know anyone else with an iPhone, are you able to enquire whether others are seeing the same thing. I'm not sure what to suggest but am wondering if it might be something to do with your cellular service rather than the phone.

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Answer 6

Raducanu Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 9, 2015 2:31 AM in response to Winston Churchill

I can check with my wife's phone. iPhone 4S with T-Mobile contract. But i can't imagine what vodefone blocks TCP packets including icloud notes.

Everything else regarding iCloud works over Cellular network (Mail, Calendar, Contacts). Only Notes app won't sync!

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Answer 7

Oct 9, 2015 2:38 AM in response to Raducanu

Mmmm, just found this...

Is the notes on icloud only sync under wifi?

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Answer 8

Raducanu Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 9, 2015 2:42 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Sounds the same. It's hard to search the internet, because you get many pages regarding thaht Notes in iOS9 will not be sync with Mac Yosemite.

Regarding your link:

It was working fine with iOS8. I write my shopping list for the grocery store on iCloud at home/work and at the store just get the list on my phone.

Since iOS9 this won't work anymore (or i have to sync Notes over wifi before leaving home/work)

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Answer 9

Oct 9, 2015 3:18 AM in response to Raducanu

Hi have the same problem, notes syncs only via WIFI, contacts, reminders sync via LTE instantly. I'm on orange romania.

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Answer 10

Oct 9, 2015 3:31 AM in response to Raducanu

FWIW, I did check myself before responding, I disabled wifi and changed some notes, they synced just fine.

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Answer 11

Oct 18, 2015 11:23 PM in response to Raducanu

sign out and back in to iCloud on your iPhone 5. did it for me 😉

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Answer 12

msd82

Level 1

4 points

Oct 17, 2015 8:19 AM in response to aviator799

this did it for me too! thanks!!

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Answer 13

Raducanu Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 18, 2015 11:24 PM in response to aviator799

Perfect, that worked for me, too.

Before i reset my phone to recovered from backup. But sign off / on to iCloud works! 🙂🙂

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Answer 14

MarRxK

Level 1

4 points

Nov 1, 2015 4:39 PM in response to Raducanu

Try: Settings -> iCloud -> iCloud Drive (scroll to bottom) -> Use Cellular Data -> Toggle to ON

This fixed the problem for me.

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Answer 15

Apr 19, 2016 3:28 AM in response to MarRxK

Bizarre that this should be the solution, since Notes sync via iCloud doesn’t use iCloud Drive. Still, that’s what was causing the ptoblem for me. Thanks.

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