How to Fix Apple Notes Not Syncing Between iPhone and Mac

You write something important in Apple Notes on your iPhone, only to find it missing when you check on your Mac. Frustrating, right? Apple’s ecosystem is designed to make everything seamless, but when syncing fails, it feels like the whole system breaks down. Don’t worry — there are clear reasons behind this and equally clear fixes.

1. Confirm You’re Signed Into the Same Apple ID

Apple Notes relies on iCloud. If your iPhone and Mac are signed in to different Apple IDs, your notes will not appear on both devices.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name]
2. Check the Apple ID at the top
   

On Mac:

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1. Open System Settings > Apple Account
2. Confirm the Apple ID matches your iPhone
   

If they’re different, sign out and sign back in with the same Apple ID. Otherwise, your notes are tied to different accounts.

2. Check if iCloud Notes Is Turned On

Notes won’t sync unless iCloud sync is enabled on every device. Many users overlook this small toggle, which prevents notes from being synced and leaves them stuck locally.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud
2. Tap See All under Apps Using iCloud if needed
3. Turn on the Sync this iPhone toggle for Notes
   

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud
2. Tap See All under Apps Using iCloud if needed
3. Turn on the Sync this iPhone toggle for Notes.
   

Once enabled, syncing happens automatically in the background when connected to the internet.

3. Make Sure Notes are Stored in iCloud (Not Locally)

Notes saved under “On My iPhone” or “On My Mac” stay only on that device. They won’t sync until you move them.

On iPhone:

1. Open the Notes app and go to Folders.
2. If notes are under On My iPhone, press and hold > Move > choose an iCloud folder.
3. To move multiple notes, tap Edit > Select > Move.
   

On Mac:

1. Open the Notes app and look under On My Mac.
2. Select notes and drag them into an iCloud folder or right-click > Move to > iCloud.
   

You can confirm syncing works by visiting iCloud.com and opening Notes. If your notes appear there, they’re syncing properly.

4. Ensure iCloud Storage Isn’t Full

If your iCloud storage is full, new notes can’t be uploaded. Syncing silently fails until space is freed.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
   

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud.
   

If space is full:

• Delete old backups, photos, or files.
• Upgrade to iCloud+ for more space.

Without storage, Notes won’t sync across devices.

5. Double-Check Your Internet Connection

iCloud requires the internet to sync. If you’re offline, your notes won’t update.

1. Try opening a website or streaming video to test connectivity
2. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data if one isn’t working
3. Restart your router or reconnect to a stable network

Syncing resumes as soon as internet access is restored.

6. Check Apple’s System Status

Sometimes Apple’s servers are the problem. If iCloud Notes is down, syncing won’t work until Apple resolves the issue.

1. Visit Apple’s System Status page.
2. Check iCloud Notes, iCloud Web Apps, Apple Account & Sign In.
3. If yellow or red, it’s a server issue. Wait until Apple resolves it.
   

7. Restart or Refresh Notes (Force Quit, Add/Delete a Note)

Sometimes, Notes freezes and needs to be refreshed.

On iPhone:

1. Swipe up from the bottom and close the Notes app
2. Reopen Notes and give it a few minutes

On Mac:

1. Right-click Notes in the dock and select Quit
2. Open it again and wait
   

You can also create a new note and delete it to trigger syncing. If that doesn’t help, try restarting your iPhone or Mac to clear any temporary glitches.

8. Keep Devices Updated

Outdated iOS, iPadOS, or macOS versions may contain bugs that block syncing.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update
   

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings > General > Software Update
   

Install the latest updates to get Apple’s bug fixes and improvements.

9. Turn iCloud Notes Off and Back On

Refreshing iCloud Notes can unstick frozen syncing, but take precautions.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Notes
2. Turn it off and confirm by deleting notes from the device (they stay in iCloud)
3. Restart your iPhone
4. Turn Notes back on
   
   

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud
2. Disable Notes
3. Restart your Mac
4. Re-enable Notes
   

Warning: Unsynced local notes may be lost. Copy or back them up before toggling.

10. Sign Out and Back Into iCloud

If nothing else works, signing out of iCloud resets the account connection and forces a full resync.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name]
2. Tap Sign Out
3. Restart your iPhone
4. Sign back in with the same Apple ID
   

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Apple Account
2. Click Sign Out
3. Restart your Mac
4. Sign back in
   

This re-establishes the connection with Apple’s servers.

11. Network Fixes: Disable VPN or Reset Network Settings

VPNs and corrupt network settings may block syncing.

On iPhone:

1. Disable any VPN apps
2. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings

On Mac:

1. Disable any VPN apps
2. Open System Settings > Network
3. Forget your Wi-Fi and reconnect

Resetting clears saved Wi-Fi networks, so keep your passwords ready.

12. Quick Workaround: Use AirDrop

If syncing still fails and you need a note urgently, AirDrop is your best fallback.

On iPhone:

1. Open a note
2. Tap Share > AirDrop
3. Choose your Mac

On Mac:

1. Open a note
2. Click Share > AirDrop
3. Choose your iPhone

Accept the transfer on the other device. It’s manual but reliable when iCloud won’t sync.

Final Thoughts: Fixing Apple Notes Not Syncing Between iPhone and Mac

Apple Notes is supposed to make your life easier, not harder. Most syncing issues can be resolved by toggling settings, using local-only notes, increasing iCloud storage, or resolving temporary server problems. Go through these fixes carefully, and in most cases, your notes will start flowing again between your iPhone and Mac.

Meanwhile, here are more fixes for your iPhone and Mac:

• How to fix iPhone not saving contacts
• Ways to Fix “support.apple.com/iphone/restore” screen