ProfesoraM

Q: Notes don't sync in iCloud from Mac to IOS devices

My notes in iCloud sync to each other on all my IOS devices, but not from Mac to devices nor devices to Mac.  They are all in iCloud, not in "on my Mac".  I don't see any setting that can fix this and don't know what else to do.

 

Any suggestions?

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Nov 11, 2015 8:17 AM

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Q: Notes don't sync in iCloud from Mac to IOS devices

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  • by gail from maine,Solvedanswer

    gail from maine gail from maine Nov 11, 2015 11:27 AM in response to ProfesoraM
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    Nov 11, 2015 11:27 AM in response to ProfesoraM

    Are your devices running iOS 9, and if so, did you upgrade the Notes app when you installed iOS 9? Is the OS X for your Mac that shows on your profile correct (10.7.4)? If the answer to those questions are all Yes, then that is why. The new iOS 9 Notes app will only sync with a Mac running El Capitan.

     

    You can still create Notes on your Mac via iCloud.com that will continue to sync to all devices and to the Mac.

     

    Here is a support article that may help:

     

    Before you upgrade your notes - Apple Support

     

    Best of luck,

     

    GB

  • by ProfesoraM,

    ProfesoraM ProfesoraM Nov 11, 2015 11:29 AM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 11, 2015 11:29 AM in response to gail from maine

    Thanks Gail

     

    I hesitated  to upgrade to Capitan because I heard it had problems.  I will upgrade and see if it solves the problem.

     

    Susan

  • by gail from maine,Helpful

    gail from maine gail from maine Nov 11, 2015 4:26 PM in response to ProfesoraM
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    Nov 11, 2015 4:26 PM in response to ProfesoraM

    Just a note - I have a Macbook Air. I was running Mountain Lion and was totally happy with it, so when Mavericks came out I did not upgrade. I also did not upgrade to Yosemite until I became aware that El Capitan was coming out soon, so I didn't want to be 2 releases behind, so I took the leap. I had no issues with Yosemite.

     

    I am now running El Capitan, and I am as happy with this OS X as I was with Mountain Lion and my brief time with Yosemite. I have had no issues.

     

    Just one thing you want to make sure that you are aware of. With Yosemite, the iPhoto App was replaced as the default photo app. The default photo app now is Photos. When you upgrade to El Cap, your iPhoto Library will automatically be imported to the Photos app. Many people that rely heavily on how iPhoto (or Aperture) works, are not as happy with Photos. So, before you upgrade, you want to check your iPhoto version and make sure that it is a 9.x version. Once you upgrade, you can follow these instructions to get iPhoto up to version 9.6:

     

    Get iPhoto 9.6.1 if you didn't update before OS... | Apple Support Communities

     

    With iPhoto 9.6 installed, you will then have the option to continue to use iPhoto (or Aperture or both), or to use both the iPhoto/Aperture apps as well as the Photos app. I use all three. My import default photo app is iPhoto, but I also have Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing turned on for Photos, so I can look at and play with my photos in ether app. Updates on one of the apps only updates the photos that are in that app's library.

     

    You will also have the option to turn on iCloud Photo Library. Before you consider doing that, make sure that you are familiar with how it works and what it will change in the way that your photos work today. I have not turned it on because I like syncing only selected photos to my phone. I back up my Mac regularly, so I have a safe backup of all of my photos. I just personally have no interest in keeping my photos in any cloud service.

     

    Here are a couple of articles that you will want to familiarize yourself with before you decide to use iCloud Photo Library. Be aware that this is a totally separate feature from the actual Photos app, so you can still use Photos without using iCloud Photo Library:

     

    iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

     

    iCloud Photo Library Help - Apple Support

     

    Also, before you upgrade, make sure you have a backup of your Mac.

     

    Best of luck,

     

    GB

  • by ProfesoraM,

    ProfesoraM ProfesoraM Nov 11, 2015 4:30 PM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 11, 2015 4:30 PM in response to gail from maine

    Thanks Gail

     

    Good suggestions.  I agree that iPhoto was better, but Photos was an app change with Yosemite, so I already have had to work with it for a while. I wish I would have known that before upgrading.

     

    I heard that some apps don't work w/ El Capitan, just like some apps still don't work w/ IOS9.  I need to check a few I use a lot to be sure they will work after the upgrade (iBank, Sandvox). Fingers crossed.

     

    Best,

     

    Susan

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Nov 11, 2015 4:34 PM in response to ProfesoraM
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    Nov 11, 2015 4:34 PM in response to ProfesoraM

    Oh, I thought you were still running Lion since that is the OS X that your Profile indicates. So, glad you already know about the Photos business. And if the iPhoto version you were running before you upgraded to Yosemite was a 9.x version, you can even now follow the instructions in that first link to get iPhoto working if you wish.

     

    If your transition is from Yosemite to El Cap, it should be far less traumatic that going from Lion to El Cap would be

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB

  • by ProfesoraM,

    ProfesoraM ProfesoraM Nov 11, 2015 4:41 PM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 11, 2015 4:41 PM in response to gail from maine

    Oh my.  I didn't realize my profile was so out of date.  I have updated it. Thanks for pointing it out.

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Nov 11, 2015 6:35 PM in response to ProfesoraM
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    Nov 11, 2015 6:35 PM in response to ProfesoraM

    Most welcome! I forget to update mine as well....I think I'd better check it now, come to think of it!

     

    Thanks Susan, and best of luck with your upgrade!

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB