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Troubleshooting iCloud Sync

  • Updated

If you experience issues like these while syncing notes, the steps below may help.

  • Changes sync between devices slowly.
  • Notes, subjects, and dividers do not appear on all devices.
  • Each time you open Notability, notes re-download from iCloud.
  • You see an error message that says iCloud cannot connect. 

We recommend turning on Auto-Backup before troubleshooting.

1. Restart your devices.

2. Ensure that iCloud Drive is enabled.
Check your Settings app (iOS) or "System Preferences (macOS) > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive."

  • iOS Settings:
  • macOS Settings:
    1. Select "iCloud Drive"


      2. After clicking "Apps syncing to iCloud Drive", ensure Notability is selected.

3. Ensure that you use the same iCloud account on all devices.
Open the Settings app (iOS) or "System Preferences (Mac) > Apple ID > iCloud", and verify that the same username is shown on each device.

4. On iPhone, ensure that iCloud Drive can use cellular data.
If you're using cellular data, see if iCloud and Notability have permission to use cellular data.

  • On iOS, go to "Settings > Cellular" and make sure Notability and iCloud Drive are enabled.

5. Ensure that iCloud Syncing is behaving properly.
Put a test file in iCloud Drive either through the Finder on your Mac or with the Files app on your iPad. Check to see if the file syncs to your other devices.

6. Update your iOS/iPadOS version, and/or macOS version.

7. Airdrop a test file between your devices.
Airdropping while you're logged into the same iCloud account on all devices may nudge iCloud Syncing into order. 

8. Ensure that your iCloud account isn't low on space.
If your iCloud account is low on storage space, freeing up space may help.

  • iOS: In Settings, go to "iCloud" and see the value on the Storage button.
  • Mac: In System Preferences, click "Apple ID > iCloud" and see the value at the bottom of the screen.

9. Ensure that your device isn't low on space.
If your device is low on storage space, iCloud may not be able to download notes. Freeing up space on  may help.

  • iOS: Go to "Settings > General > iPad Storage".
  • Mac: In your Mac's menu bar, click " > About This Mac > Storage".

10. Ensure that your device isn't low on battery.
Low Power Mode disables syncing to extend battery life. If your device is low on battery, charge it until it is out of Low Power Mode.

11. Turn iCloud off and on in Notability.
Turn iCloud off in Notability, close Notability, restart the device, restart Notability, and turn iCloud back on.

12. Check if syncing is prohibited.
If your device is managed by an organization like a business or an educational institution, iCloud Syncing might not be allowed. To check, go to "Settings > General" If there is a "Profiles" button, tap it and look for a policy that says "Documents in the cloud not allowed".

13. Turn off iCloud Private Relay (iPadOS 15).

14. Log out of and back into iCloud.
Only try this if the ideas above haven't helped and please make sure you have Auto-Backup enabled first. Failure to do so may result in data loss.

  1. Log out of your iCloud account on all devices.
    • iOS: In Settings, go to iCloud and tap "Sign Out".
    • Mac: In System Preferences > Apple ID, click "iCloud" and click "Sign Out".
  2. Restart all devices.
  3. Log in to your iCloud account on all devices.
    • iOS: In Settings, go to "iCloud" and sign in.
    • Mac: In System Preferences > Apple ID, click "iCloud" and sign in.
  4. Turn iCloud on in Notability on all devices.

15. Contact Apple.

We would love to fix all issues with iCloud, but third-party developers have limited control over iCloud. If the ideas above did not help, please contact Apple through this site.

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