How to fix Apple apps not syncing with iCloud issue
One of the best features of having an iPhone, iPad, and Mac is the ease of transferring information between them. You can do this through AirDrop, but many Apple apps are automatically synced across devices.
Among these applications are Mail, Notes, Messages, Reminders, Calendar, and Contacts. You can enter data in one device's app and then read or change it on another device.
Occasionally, though, your apps will become out of sync, and the data won't be transferred to another device. Fortunately, this is a solvable problem. Let's take a look at what to do if Apple apps aren't syncing across all your devices.
1. Perform a network connection check
Apps like Mail, Notes, and more sync via iCloud. Due to the fact that cable connections are not an option on iPhones and iPads, you will need a Wi-Fi or data connection. Without a reliable internet connection, your apps won't sync properly.
Your devices don't need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network to sync data via iCloud for apps like Notes and Reminders. If you have a strong internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data), improvements on one platform should be reflected over the others.
While your devices must be connected to the same network in order to sync audiobooks, music, and other materials between your Mac and iPhone, this is a separate issue.
2. Validate your Apple ID
To sync your apps, you need to be connected to the same Apple ID on all your devices to take advantage of your iCloud account.
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad to verify that you are using the correct Apple ID. Your name should appear at the top. To see the email address associated with your Apple ID account, click on this.
If you don't see your name but instead you see Sign in to your iPhone, tap on that and then sign in with your Apple ID email address and password.
On your Mac, go to the Apple menu> System Preferences in the top-left corner of your screen. Your Apple ID name should appear in this window; click Apple ID to verify that this is the correct email address.
If you are not already logged in, click on the same icon to log in with your account information.
3. Check your iCloud preferences
If your Wi-Fi and Apple ID credentials are consistent across all your devices but Apple apps keep failing to sync, the problem is most likely related to iCloud settings.
Although iCloud Drive may have sync issues in general, the problem with these apps may be that you don't use iCloud at all. iCloud must be activated so that they can sync data between your devices.
iPhone and iPad settings on iCloud
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings> [your name]> iCloud to activate iCloud for certain apps. At the top, you will see the total iCloud capacity. Below is the address of the apps that use iCloud.
Find the app you want to sync with other Apple devices in this category and toggle its key to the right. Repeat the procedure with your other devices if you are trying to sync iPhone and iPad.
iCloud preferences on Mac
To sync with your Mac, go back to System Preferences> Apple ID. There, in the left menu, tap iCloud.
This will display how much iCloud storage was used at the end of the list. Above, you will see a list of apps installed on your Mac, along with their iCloud status.
Scroll down the list until you find the app you want to sync with your other devices. Make sure the check box to the right of the app is selected. If not, click on it to allow synchronization.
To the right of the program, you will notice the text of the setting ... and a spinning wheel for a second or two. Then you can exit System Preferences. As long as everything is fine, the app should start syncing.
One fundamental difference is that messages won't appear in the iCloud app list for your Mac. It is very convenient to send and receive SMS on your computer, so you should look for this option in another area.
To sync messages on your Mac, open the Messages app. Select Messages> Preferences from the top menu, then select the iMessage tab. Enable Messages in the iCloud box by checking the box.
Once you check this box, your computer's messages will automatically sync with those of your mobile devices. In addition, at the bottom of the iMessages page, you will see the Sync Now button if you ever need to manually sync between devices.
4. Use non-iCloud accounts to sync apps
Many apps, such as calendar, reminders, notes, mail, and contacts, can be linked to email addresses that aren't associated with your iCloud or Apple ID. These accounts can be Google, Yahoo, or Microsoft Exchange, among others.
Using non-iCloud accounts enables you to arrange data more efficiently within apps. For example, you can save all your work notes to your work email account, or you can create different types of reminders for separate accounts.
To sync non-iCloud app accounts, you simply need to sign in on all the devices you wish to sync.
Check the settings on your iPhone or iPad and select the app you wish to sync. Select this app, followed by Accounts.
Select Add an address to sign in to an email account that isn't the iCloud account you want to use with the app. Simply select the account type and follow the on-screen instructions to log in.
Once logged in, you can access this account through the Accounts section of the app settings. Select to view additional apps that are compatible with this account and toggle keys for those you want to add.
Go to System Preferences> Internet Accounts on your Mac. to add the new account. Click the Plus icon at the bottom of the left menu and select the type of email account you are using. Sign in with the claims submitted.
The list will show your account other than iCloud. Select it, then check the boxes next to any apps you wish to use with this account other than iCloud.
5. Update apps to complete synchronization
After completing the previous steps, you should reload your apps to make sure they sync across your devices. The update process ensures that any changes you make to your accounts and settings are in effect and that your apps are ready to continue syncing.
This is done by closing and reopening the app. People who have iPhones that don't have a Home button can swipe up and hold for a second to open the app switcher. Alternatively, on iPhones with the Home button, double-click the button. To close the app, swipe up.
On your iPhone or iPad, some apps allow you to update by swiping down. However, for the majority of people discussed, they should be completely closed and then reopened.
Make sure to close the app on all your devices before reopening it. If an app is left open, its data may not sync.
Last Words
The next time you encounter an app sync issue between your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you will know how to solve it. We've discussed ways to ensure your devices are configured properly for sync.