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Level 1

55 points

iCloud Notes not syncing across all devices

After spending 2.5 hours via online chat and phone with Apple Support today, I've verified all of my settings are correct and my devices are all running the most current software versions.

I've signed out of iCloud and back in to iCloud on all devices, deleted notes app and reinstalled (on iOS only) toggled Notes on and off in iCloud settings over the course of multiple device restarts without success.

I created test notes (device name, time and date) on each device to see if they were syncing, and every test note remained on it's device of origin. I logged in to iCloud.com, and the test note created there populated immediately on all devices.

My affected devices are as follows:

iPhone 7 Plus 256 - running iOS 10.1.1
iPad Pro 128 - running iOS 10.1.1
MacBook Pro 13" Retina (Early 2015) - running macOS Sierra 10.12.1

Apple is aware of the issues, apparently they are receiving plenty of calls about this very issue this afternoon.

They have scheduled a call back with me tomorrow afternoon, hopefully everything is sorted out by then.

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 10.1.1, null

Posted on Nov 15, 2016 11:24 AM

118 replies

kpietras

Level 1

4 points

Nov 20, 2016 10:53 PM in response to MK05HJ09

I also have this issue. It's driving me crazy. Thank you for looking into it. I look forward to seeing if you get a response. My notes used to work perfectly but I just got a new iPad Pro and switched my cell to T Mobile. I wonder if that has anything to do with it but I can't imagine that's the issue.

MK05HJ09 Author

Level 1

55 points

Nov 21, 2016 2:34 AM in response to Jim Watford

I just want everything to work as it used to, however I don't think buying any dongle will fix this issue. Is that to access your device in iTunes on your MacBook?

MK05HJ09 Author

Level 1

55 points

Nov 21, 2016 2:47 AM in response to kpietras

I recently upgraded to an iPhone 7 Plus from an iPhone 6S on Verizon, I've had my iPad Pro around a year or so now (also on Verizon) and haven't made any changes there aside from software updates, as previously mentioned both iOS devices are currently on 10.1.1, MacBook Pro is running macOS Sierra 10.12.1, and there don't appear to be any available updates for any of my affected devices.

I don't think adding an iPad Pro and switching service providers is causing your issue as multiple people are having similar concerns right now.

Nov 21, 2016 6:50 PM in response to MK05HJ09

Good night.
I'm facing this issue since Thursday night (17/11). I call to Apple support on Friday (18/11) and I'm still waiting some answer about this issue/bug on my account in Apple iCloud Notes.
On Thurday night the problem was only in my iPhone 7 Plus Notes. On Friday night the problem affect my Macbook Pro too. Now just sync if I add or change some note in iCloud.com. If I add or change some note using my iPhone or Macbook Pro, nothing happens. 😟

go_hogs

Level 1

4 points

Nov 22, 2016 7:31 AM in response to MK05HJ09

I am having the same issue too. New iPhone 7 Plus 256, iPad Air and MacBook. Notes will not reliably sync from iPhone 7 Plus to other devices. Previously no notes were being sync'd between any devices but it seems to be that now notes are making it between my other devices and down to my iPhone 7, just not from my iPhone 7 to other devices.

Nov 25, 2016 2:23 AM in response to go_hogs

I have the same kind of issue.

With Sierra 10.12.1 and an iPhone 10.1.1.

I tried to remove the Notes app on my iPhone, then reinstall it. But at the end, my notes won't come back ! Of course they are in Notes on iCloud.com, but not on my iPhone.

For my mac, disabling and re-enabling iCloud Notes doesn't work for me too. The 'sync wheel' in Notes app turns every 4-5 seconds.

Finally, the sync works for me only from iCloud.com to the Mac, not the inverse, and not with the iPhone anymore... very frustrating because I use it for my job.

I'm waiting for a correction from the Apple support (asap).

Best regards.

Todj

Level 1

4 points

Dec 1, 2016 2:29 PM in response to MK05HJ09

I have had this same issue as well since notes had and outage on 10/22. I have spent hours on the phone with senior support. It ends every time with "An engineer will call you back". I have yet to get a call back. I have requested the ticket be escalated multiple times.

This appears to be an issue on the iCloud servers rejecting or blacklisting devices. I have seen this issue is affecting more and more people. Keep calling support and requesting a solution. Get your senior advisors name and email follow up every couple weeks until this issue is resolved.

Dec 1, 2016 3:44 PM in response to Todj

I'm waiting too an Apple engineer call me about this issue. I spent a lot of time in calls doing some test with all my Apple devices but the sync issue remains. I sent all logs to Apple Support team. I hope that they fiz that soon because Notes is very important to me. 😟

MK05HJ09 Author

Level 1

55 points

Dec 1, 2016 4:19 PM in response to luizfernandomiller

For what it's worth, I've been using Microsoft's OneNote since 11/20 and it has worked flawlessly between all three devices, and it has a host of nice features not included in Notes. Not saying I'm happy to have to use MS software on my Apple products, but when I need something to work, I simply need it to work, as I'm sure everyone else who took the time to post here in hopes of getting their issues corrected.

Personally, I don't have the time to call and bother people who are already working on an issue, I just have to trust they will eventually get it sorted out, and use their competitor's product for the time being.

Regarding the "For the time being" aspect waiting for Apple to sort this one out, I would recommend trying OneNote, it's honestly pretty good once you get used to some differences in interface.

One such (much appreciated) feature is a "Sync now" button, and there is a note/notebook last synced (time/date) so you're not left wondering if your information is updated and where it needs to be when it needs to be there.

Dec 2, 2016 3:24 PM in response to MK05HJ09

You suggestion to use Microsoft One-Note is the best solution I have found thus far. It works fine for my purposes and seems to be fairly advanced. I was on board with apple on trying to find a solution, until I counted up the hours I have spent trying to fix this stupid issue and I just said screw it, I will use Microsoft. This issue almost seems trivial and very basic, not sure why it has been several weeks now and no resolve.

So I think I will continue to just use one-note and every so often try out notes app and see if it works. When I am bored and need something to do I will call up apple and bug them about the issue, but I am not wasting any more time trying to be proactive and fix it, it is just a waste of time.

The next step if this issue does not get resolved in the next few months is the "nuclear option" which one other user said worked for them. Which is basically delete both iPhone and Mac and start from fresh, basically wipe the devices and start over from scratch. This will be a very time consuming process and I will avoid at all costs, but that is honestly the only thing I have not done to try to fix this issue.

I think Apple engineers are too busy jerking off on their new touch-bar to be interested in fixing this issue.

Dec 2, 2016 4:02 PM in response to Jim Watford

I did a fresh install in an old device (iPhone) just to test the iCloud Notes with Apple Support team and the sync issue still happens. Conclusion: the problem is in the iCloud account and not in the devices. I think that is some write permission issue (upload to iCloud.com), because the read permission is working (download from iCloud.com).