Apple Notes Synchronisation Error with iOS26

Question

Level 1

145 points

Apple Notes Synchronisation Error with iOS26

Issue

The well-known fast synchronisation of Notes via iCloud does not work.

Scenario

Regular operation; both devices updated. While the Notes app on the Mac shows no particular exceptional loading activity, the iOS app behaves strangely. The loading wheel in Apple Notes on iOS26 spins continuously while no notes are synchronised to and from the iPhone. The existing notes are on both devices, but anything newly created is not synchronised.

Actions taken

Everything known, in sequence: Internet Access on both devices, Restarted apps, Restarted Devices, Reinstalled Apple Notes on iPhone, furthermore on iPhone: Deactivated /Reactivated iCloud, Removed Apple ID, reactivated Apple ID, Re-enabled iCloud sync for Notes

Result

It worked -but only yesterday.

This morning, the same problem occurred again. The loading wheel in Apple Notes on iOS is endless, although, as mentioned above, the basic set of notes already exists. It's just the latest notes that aren't synchronising). Every time I open the app, I see the loading wheel icon for a long time. But nothing happens.

Question(s)
- Since this is my last resort before (once more) contacting Apple Support, is anyone else experiencing the same issue with iOS26 and synchronisation of Notes with iCloud?
- What helped to permanently resolve the issue?

Note:
- I am intentionally asking the above questions and obviously ask not for just any knowledgebase articles that contain random steps for a possible hope -which I tried out already. Thank you for your understanding.
- It is with an iPhone 13 mini, NOT an iPhone 8. I did not select iPhone 8 here and cannot change it either.

iPhone 8

Posted on Sep 18, 2025 4:44 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

traianmos Author

Level 1

145 points

Nov 16, 2025 2:26 PM in response to traianmos

In my case this undignified situation was resolved with iOS26.1 and MacOS26.1, which were released on 3th of November 2025. Synchronisation has been working again since then. It's may also be beneficial to clear caches on the macOS device (1/ library > caches > delete all in there & 2/ computer> MacHDD >library > caches >delete whatever can be deleted in there).

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Answer 2

Nov 26, 2025 10:19 AM in response to traianmos

I think I just figured this out... at least for me. I had all of my notes under the "Gmail" category instead of the "iCloud" category, which meant I lost out on all of the Apple Notes features like checklists, auto scroll, and more. I had been wondering since I got my new phone why it was like that, and today, when I went to use Notes on my Mac and realized they weren't synced, I finally figured out that I simply had to select all and move them from Gmail to iCloud. Very frustrating, as I didn't even realize I had them there instead of in iCloud. It could be a totally different problem from yours, but I wanted to put it somewhere!

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Answer 3

Oct 11, 2025 7:21 AM in response to traianmos

I am having exactly the same experience with my iPadPro (2018 edition) since updating to iPadOS26. Like you, I‘ve tried everything that has been advised in various forums - but no luck. Also, the size of the „Documents and Data“ for Apple Notes on the iPad seems to be progressively increasing (3x what I see for the same notes on my iPhone 13pro). I am praying that the update iPadOS26.1 will solve the problem!!

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Answer 4

kdt03

Level 1

8 points

Oct 17, 2025 2:20 PM in response to traianmos

I am having this problem with iOs and iPadOs 26 on an iPadPro and iPhone 13 Pro. I’ve tried restarting and also deleting the app an re-syncing only for the problems to appear again. This lack of reliability in syncing is very disappointing for a premium monthly paid service.

There appears to be some attachments on an individual note that do not load. Maybe that is related to the bug.

I’ll be contacting Apple Support. I rely on this service to work.

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Answer 5

EdLV

Level 1

8 points

Nov 16, 2025 11:58 AM in response to traianmos

I'm experiencing similar issues across multiple devices (iPhone - iOS 18, iPad Pro and Mini - iOS 26, MacBook Pro - Sequoia 15.7.1) - The issue has resurfaced after being reasonably stable for a year or so. I've also tried every ritual under the sun, to no avail. With every major update it's the same story. Unfortunately, still unreliable.

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