Level 1

49 points

Apple Notes keeps crashing in iOS11

Hope you can help me, I appreciate your input and suggestions. FYI... I usually upgrade my iPhone every two years and upgrade to the most advanced Apple device that Apple offers. I’ve been using my current iPhone 7+ 256gb for almost a year now, with no issues. I have been using Apple Notes for many years with no issues prior to my recent upgrade to iOS11. I just upgraded to iOS 11 the day of the release and have now noticed that Notes is always crashing. I do use Notes quite extensively. After a couple a crashes, I think tried exiting Notes, it often resets itself and then crashes again. I have tried both hard and soft re-boots, but that doesn’t help... Any ideas? Thanks in advance... Rob

Posted on Sep 24, 2017 5:29 AM

Top-ranking reply

davidfromholladay

Level 1

20 points

Posted on Dec 15, 2017 9:12 AM

My problem seems to be solved. I went back and compared my most recent notes on the iPhone against the same notes in iCloud. Found about 15 that were out of sync (the iPhone version was correct since that is where I edit most of them, thus confirming what I knew before: that my sync problem was originating on the iPhone). I then copied each of the notes that were out of sync emailed them to myself, and copied and pasted them into my Mac notes app. They all synced fine through iCloud and onto my iPhone. I then went back a year to verify there were no problems with other notes. All other notes were in sync. I then turned note off on my iPhone, this deleting them from the device. I lastly turned Notes on in my iPhone. All downloaded from iCloud to my iPhone. I tested the sync process by creating a new note on my iPhone. It IMMEDIATELY synced to both iCloud and my Mac. Problem solved!

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292 replies

caddy3

Level 1

9 points

Nov 24, 2017 11:24 AM in response to scottfillmer

Same here on phone IOS. Notes continues to work well on Mac, so it is only an IOS issue. Why can’t they just focus on and rebuild Notes. I’m not going to take the risk of deleting data and reinstalling app. Shame I have to carry a pen and notepad always as Notes does not work now. Want a new phone but wont until it’s Apple fixes this.

TheHardt

Level 1

13 points

Nov 24, 2017 3:45 PM in response to robert.burns

So now that Ive updated to the new iOS the bypass of turning cellular off for notes no longer works, now I'm totally upriver with no paddle, with 1,000's of unusable notes. I'm so irritated and frustrated with Apple, but they got me by the *%$& on this. Not happy whatsoever and will hold off on buying any apple products until this is resolved.

Nov 26, 2017 7:27 PM in response to robert.burns

Just want to add my voice here. Same problem as everyone else on iPhone 8 Plus and iPad Pro 1.9 (latest model). I saw—and reported—problems throughout the public beta, figuring it would be solved before release...it’s actually gotten worse. Hoping to see this resolved asap.

robert.burns Author

Level 1

49 points

Nov 29, 2017 6:33 AM in response to Xbaz

I agree wholeheartedly, I’m still an Apple fan... but just not an Apple Notes fan any longer. I’m sure this will get resolved at some point... would take these issues over an Android any day... but that may be a part of the “big picture” problem, Apple knows that. At the end of the day, these are all insignificant first world problems.

Dec 1, 2017 6:41 AM in response to scottfromminnesota

I’ve had the same problem with Notes. The only solution that works is to shutdown and restart the device. I have 1550 notes. It locks every single day. I transferred everything from Evernote because I heard they were having financial problems.

Come on Apple!! You’re reputation for good software is definitely in Jeopardy. Fix this!!

robert.burns Author

Level 1

49 points

Dec 1, 2017 9:33 AM in response to michaelfromcrystal beach

Hi Michael, thanks for the input. Your solution worked a few months ago when iOS 11 was first released... the issues became worse for most of the people in this thread... with the 11 updates. I’ve tried all the suggestions from Apple and all those in this thread... even replacing my perfectly fine iPhone 7 Plus 256gb to ab 8Plus... no change... my Notes works fine on my Mac desktop and laptop, but has mostly become unusable niw and I converted to Evernote. If Evernote goes out of business then they’re are others... I agree with you, Apple has to fix this, but I’m not confident they are... they seem ti have other priorities. Thanks again, Rob

Dec 1, 2017 10:31 AM in response to robert.burns

It is a bitter sweet feeling that I see so many others are having this same issue! I was beginning to think it was just me.

I've been constantly trying to find alternatives as well and when Notes started to offer better features, I made the plunge and moved everything over because the native apps often work so well. This is the first time I've been grossly disappointed with the performance and the bugs. It is unusable.

My wife was in critical condition a few weeks ago at the hospital and I tried opening the notes app numerous times to to jot down what the doctor was telling me and every time the app opened it froze and I had to force quit. I had to temporarily switch to Google Keep just to get them somewhere.

robert.burns Author

Level 1

49 points

Dec 2, 2017 4:39 AM in response to scottfromminnesota

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your detailed response and suggestion. Your instructions and resolution all made sense.

I have 5 Apple devices (iMac, Powerbook Pro, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and iPhone 8Plus). I followed your instructions with all these devices yesterday. I have only turned on my iPhone, as per your instructions. iCloud has yet to start repopulating my Notes on my iPhone, it’s been almost 10 hours. I will be able to wait awhile longer, but will need my other devices at some point in the near future, I’m hoping I have the same level of success as you did. If not I pray that I can get my other devices back to the previous set-up. But appreciate your offer to help, regardless.

It was a bit unnverving watching all my iCloid desktop files disappear from my iMac and laptop...

Thanks again for your response and your effort to help me out. I will keep you posted.

Thanks again,

Rob

robert.burns Author

Level 1

49 points

Dec 2, 2017 6:13 AM in response to scottfromminnesota

Me too... Every time I thought I had a resolution, Notes crashed again. Your latest suggestion and resolution makes the most sense. My iPhone finally finished replicating and repopulating my Notes. I just moved on to my iMac, it appears to be repopulating as well, my iCloud desktop files are replicating as are my Notes on the desktop... crossing my fingers and optimistic that this will all make Notes work again...

robert.burns Author

Level 1

49 points

Dec 2, 2017 5:22 PM in response to scottfromminnesota

Sorry Scott, I had to head out for a bit. So far so good. I started using Notes as usual... no issues yet... so it appears to be promising... I will give another day or two... Looks stable though... Thanks again my friend, Rob

robert.burns Author

Level 1

49 points

Dec 5, 2017 11:28 AM in response to michaelfromcrystal beach

Thanks Michael, our focus on this thread has been iOS devices. We dont have any issues with Notes on OSX. We’ve tried everything that Apple has suggested and other failed remedies. I am quite impressed with the kindnesses within this thread... Apple hasn't been much help. Many of us have tried all the common remedies like resets, months ago. Some of us also upgraded perfectly fine phones (me, a iPhone 7 Plus 256gb) to the iPhone 8 Plus and still Notes doesn’t work. Apple has to take a serious interest in this issue, so far that hasn't happened. Thanks again 😊

robert.burns Author

Level 1

49 points

Dec 5, 2017 12:45 PM in response to michaelfromcrystal beach

The reason I ask is that many of us are also in the 000’s, but 1500 is alot. I’m at 4000, so I thought there may have been some type of ceiling. Count your blessings that it’s working for you. Although, I have had Notes 11 solutions work for hours and more only to revert to the issues again. Glad its working for you though.

Dec 5, 2017 1:33 PM in response to robert.burns

A total reset is a real pain. It screwed up things on my phone, and Apple Watch. If Notes screws up again then I will not use the program again, and just export everything to Microsoft Notes. Normally I can lock up notes at least 5 times per day. I’ve really been putting it to the test, and it just won’t lock. If it does, I will definitely report back to the forum.

Dec 5, 2017 3:10 PM in response to michaelfromcrystal beach

MS OneNote is a good tool. I’ve been using it for work given the integration with other MS Office apps. It also supports the Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro. Storage and sync are strong and it is included with Office.

I am not moving back to Evernote after migrating everything to Apple Notes. Evernote’s model is no longer attractive for multi device and heavy users, at least in my opinion.

I’m currently trying Bear for new personal notes. If I need to go find an old personal note, I’ll use my Mac to go into iCloud and pull it up in Notes.

For now, I’m holding out hope that Apple will fix the obvious iCloud issues impacting Notes storage and synchronization. As I mentioned in a previous comment, my iPhone Notes app works just fine if I use my Google account instead of my iCloud account - but it can’t do the latest Notes features.

Here’s hoping for a Christmas gift from Apple in the form of an iOS Notes/iCloud resolution!

Dec 5, 2017 3:44 PM in response to AppleGuyAZ

Evernote's new business model *****, plus I hated that I could not encrypt notes unless I was on my mac. I have to be able to lock individual notes, or at least sections of notes. I also want to be sure that the developer of the note app will be in business for the next 30 years which really limits my options.

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Apple Notes keeps crashing in iOS11