Using continuity markup again erases previous the markup

I can happily markup a pdf from my Monterey laptop using continuity markup on my iPad. The problem is if I need to do it again: the previous markup is immediately deleted!


According to Preview, the object created by continuity markup is a "drawing", and it appears that only one can exist in the file at once?


Is there a trick, or is continuity markup something you can't go back to once done?


Thanks.

Posted on Oct 14, 2022 05:24 AM

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Posted on Oct 16, 2022 10:00 AM

Sorry I didn't realise this was conceptually difficult. Continuity markup works as advertised PRECISELY ONCE. I have tested this with two Macs, one iPad, two iPhones, two AppleIDs, constant Wi-Fi, constant Bluetooth, all updates (to Monterey and iOS / iPadOS 15). I can markup a pdf ONCE via an iDevice and view the subsequent "drawing" annotation in Preview – and indeed share it via SharePoint with Windows users. What I can not do is open that same pdf and add a SECOND markup from an iDevice without losing the first, from all versions of the pdf viewable via any device. Is that just me, or is that a feature? Please don't reply with troubleshooting 101 unless you have tested otherwise.


By the way, there is no concept of "opening" and "closing" the pdf "on the iPad" when doing this. You click a button to push it to the iPad, edit and hit "Done". Do it again and what you did before vanishes, regardless of whether you exit QuickLook on the Mac…

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Oct 16, 2022 10:00 AM in response to mingoslkd

Sorry I didn't realise this was conceptually difficult. Continuity markup works as advertised PRECISELY ONCE. I have tested this with two Macs, one iPad, two iPhones, two AppleIDs, constant Wi-Fi, constant Bluetooth, all updates (to Monterey and iOS / iPadOS 15). I can markup a pdf ONCE via an iDevice and view the subsequent "drawing" annotation in Preview – and indeed share it via SharePoint with Windows users. What I can not do is open that same pdf and add a SECOND markup from an iDevice without losing the first, from all versions of the pdf viewable via any device. Is that just me, or is that a feature? Please don't reply with troubleshooting 101 unless you have tested otherwise.


By the way, there is no concept of "opening" and "closing" the pdf "on the iPad" when doing this. You click a button to push it to the iPad, edit and hit "Done". Do it again and what you did before vanishes, regardless of whether you exit QuickLook on the Mac…

Oct 17, 2022 02:31 AM in response to Todd0213

Is that how the discussion forum works now? You ask a question to see if anyone else has the same problem and a bunch of different "Community Specialists" come back and basically tell you to read the manual and then contact Apple? It's probably a decade since I last needed help here, and I remember it being more useful than that.


Has anyone actually tested this issue themselves before telling me to contact Apple? All I want to know is if anyone else actually has the same problem


Thanks.

Oct 16, 2022 07:24 AM in response to Rich Walsh

Hi Rich Walsh,


Looking at the information about Markup with Continuity, you should be able to see your changes on either device, without them disappearing.

Continuity Markup
Edit a PDF document or image on your Mac and display it on your nearby iPhone or iPad, where you can write and sketch on it using Markup tools—and Apple Pencil on iPad—and instantly view the changes on your Mac.

Use Continuity to work across Apple devices - Apple Support


Would you be so kind to try something for us? Just want to see if this added step between devices makes a difference.

  1. On Mac, make your changes to the PDF.
  2. Close the PDF
  3. Open PDF on iPad, make additional changes
  4. Close the PDF on iPad
  5. Open PDF on Mac again.

Are your changes staying between devices now?


This page doesn't show that you need to close the file in-between devices, but it does show that:

To use Continuity features, your devices must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and meet system requirements. See the Apple Support article System requirements for Continuity on Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch.

Is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi always on for both devices?

Mark up files on Mac - Apple Support


Thanks!

Oct 15, 2022 01:00 PM in response to Rich Walsh

Greetings, Rich.


Since your Markups are being removed, try the following steps to find a resolution: 


1. Restarting can often help resolve unexpected behaviors, so Restart your iPad 

2. Ensure that your iPadOS is updated, as updates contain bug fixes: Update your iPhone or iPad

3. Contact Apple Support for additional guidance.


We hope this helps to further isolate and resolve the issue to get Markup responding normally when asked.


Best wishes. 

Oct 16, 2022 10:31 AM in response to Rich Walsh

Thank you for providing that clarification, Rich Walsh.


With the original markup being removed and the steps that have been completed thus far, the next step would be to contact Apple. They'll be able to investigate this issue and behavior further and continue working towards a resolution. You can find their contact details via the following link.


Contact - Official Apple Support


Take care!


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Using continuity markup again erases previous the markup

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