iCloud Sync Not Working

Question

iCloud Sync Not Working

Here is the scenario. Google syncs with my web-based law practice management software and with my Apple calendar on my Mac. That works well and fast. My old iPhone (6s) handled this well and whatever was on my Mac calendar, contacts, etc. was also always on my iPhone and iPad. I bought an iPhone X last month and laid it beside my old iPhone (6s) and set it up as instructed. The problem is that iCloud and the IOS devices are not syncing. I don't recall what might have been different with my 6s. I have read and read and tried all suggestions from several sources. All devices are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID. Would the problem be iCloud 2 factor authentication? I don't see how since both the Mac and the IOS devices indicate that they are signed into iCloud. Any suggestions? My 2016 MacBook Pro is running V. 10.12.6 and the IOS devices are running latest upgrades. I really need help with this. Thank you. Steve

Posted on Dec 16, 2017 10:03 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 20, 2017 11:24 AM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric. I did what you said re unchecking the Calendar box. I did not turn photo syncing off because photos are syncing. If you still want me to turn off the photos I will do that. I checked this morning and here is what I learned:

Calendar does not sync with iCloud or iPhone

Contacts sync with iCloud but not iPhone

Notes sync with iCloud and iPhone

Reminders sync with iCloud and iPhone

Photos sync with iCloud and iPhone

Also I charged up my old iPhone to see what the settings were since the calendar was syncing on that device. It appears that I was syncing the calendar and contacts direct with google . If so there may not have been syncing. The the same calendar as on the Mac only a direct connection from Google. I don't know what iCloud said at that time. Here is what is a screen shot of the 6s "Calendars":

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Answer 2

zinacef

Level 10

88,407 points

Dec 17, 2017 6:29 AM in response to Steve Weaver1

Have you tried going to iCloud.com and making sure all the data is correctly synced there; then turn off syncing on all devices, delete the data from all devices, wait a few minutes, then turn back on?

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Answer 3

Dec 17, 2017 6:30 AM in response to zinacef

Thank you zinacef. Yes I have been checking iCloud data for Calendar and Contacts. I just checked Notes and Reminders. Calendar has no data at all. Contacts has data but it is not current. Notes and Reminders are syncing and data is current.

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Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Dec 17, 2017 11:47 AM in response to Steve Weaver1

Try going to iCloud.com using a computer to see if the items are there and whether they are from the device or the computer. That should show whether the device or the computer isn't syncing. If the computer, try going to System Preferences/iCloud and stop syncing. Wait a couple of minutes, then recheck syncing. If the device, go to Settings/Your Name/iCloud and do the above. As a last resort, you can also try signing out of iCloud and then sign in again.

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Answer 5

Dec 18, 2017 7:42 AM in response to Eric Root

Thanks for the input Eric. There are no items on the iCloud calendar except "Christmas". The iPhone calendar is has more holidays (e.g., New Years Day) than the iCloud calendar. The computer calendar has all appointments and events as it should. Therefore, I can deduce that nothing is syncing. Other than that I do not know how to tell what is syncing. When I go on the computer to System Preferences/iCloud there is not a check box named "syncing". The same is true for the IPhone. So I don't know how to turn off syncing. I am not running High Sierra. I am still on Sierra - Version 10.12.6 (16G1114). iCloud says I am using Yosemite. Steve

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Answer 6

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Dec 18, 2017 12:42 PM in response to Steve Weaver1

You are welcome. Make sure you have a computer backup before proceeding. On the computer, System Preferences/iCloud and uncheck the box for Calendar and after a couple of minutes, check it again. For the phone, Settings/Your Name/iCloud/Photos tap the > and slide Photos syncing off (no green showing). After a couple of minutes, slide it on.

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Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Dec 20, 2017 12:49 PM in response to Steve Weaver1

If the photos are syncing, there is no need to mess with them. For contacts, try Settings/Your Name/iCloud and turn off syncing, wait a couple of minutes, and then turn it back on. Can you add an iCloud account in Calendar/Preferences/Accounts.

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Answer 8

Jan 2, 2018 11:20 AM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric. Hope your holidays were good. I went to my Calendar preferences and I had already added an iCloud account. I disabled it for a couple of minutes then enabled it. That changed nothing. I'll remind you that my primary calendar is a part of an online practice management program (Rocket Matter). Within the program I use the option which causes that calendar to sync with google. That in turn syncs with the Mac Calendar app. I ran an experiment. I made an entry direct into my Mac Calendar. That entry synced with iCloud and is also on the iPhone calendar. It appears that iCloud will recognize entries that I make direct on the Mac calendar but not entries there as a result of syncing with the google calendar. While I had hoped to be able to use iCloud for all my syncing it appears that I will need to add the google calendar to the iPhone calendar. Then I will have my calendar everywhere I need it.

Steve

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