Notes Not Syncing Between iPhone, iPad And Mac

Apple Notes App provides the option to store Notes on iCloud, which makes a Note created on iPhone to become available on your MacBook.

If this is not happening, the problem could be due to various reasons, ranging from your Apple ID not being recognized, iCloud Access being disabled for Notes App to other reasons.

In rare cases, the problem could be due to Apple Servers going through problems or the Notes App becoming damage or corrupted.

1. Sign-in With Same Apple ID on Both Devices

When you create a Note on iPhone or Mac, it gets linked to the Apple ID that you are signed-in and becomes available on another device when you sign-in using the same Apple ID.

Hence, make sure that you are signed-in to both devices, using the same or common Apple ID.

On iPhone: Open Settings and you will be able to see your Apple ID. If you are not signed-in, tap on the Sign-in option and Sign-in to your device.

On Mac: Click on Apple Logo in top-menu bar and select System Preferences in the Drop-down menu.

On the next screen, you will be able to view your Apple ID.

If Apple ID’s are different, you need to Sign-out and Sign-in back using the same Apple ID that was used to create the Note on iPhone.

2. Enable iCloud Access to Notes App

Your Notes won’t be able to sync to Mac, if the Notes App on your iPhone does not have access to iCloud.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > tap on your Apple ID Name > iCloud > Move the toggle next to Notes to ON position.

On Mac: Open Notes App > click on Notes tab in top-menu bar and select Accounts in the Drop-down menu

On the next screen, select iCloud in the left-pane and select the Notes App in the right-pane

3. Check Notes Storage Location

The most common reason for Notes not syncing to other devices is due to Notes being set to be locally stored on iPhone.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > Notes > Disable On My iPhone Account option by moving the toggle to OFF Position.

Note: You need to be signed-in to iPhone, in order to disable this option.

On Mac: Open Notes App > click on Notes tab in top-menu bar and select Preferences in the drop-down menu

On the next screen, uncheck Enable on My Mac Account option.

4. Check Default Account

Make sure that iCloud is set as the default Account for Notes created on your device.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > Notes > Default Account > Select iCloud as the default Account.

On Mac: Open Notes App > click on Notes tap in top-menu bar and select

5. Sign Out and Sign-in to iCloud

On iPhone: Go to Settings > tap on your Apple ID > scroll down on the next screen and tap on Sign Out.

Once you are completely signed out > wait for 30 seconds and Sign-back into your device.

On Mac: Click on Apple Logo in top-menu bar and select System Preferences in the drop-down menu. On the next screen, click on Apple ID > Select Overview in the left-pane and click on Sign Out option in the right-pane.

Wait for 30 seconds and Sign-in back into your device by entering your Apple ID and Password.

6. Switch OFF VPN

Sometimes, the problem is due to Apple Services becoming incompatible or not being available on the VPN service that you are using on your device.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN > disable VPN by moving the toggle to OFF position.

On Mac: Click on Apple Logo > System Preferences > Network > select VPN in the left-pane and click on Disconnect in the right-pane.

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