Force sync iCloud drive

Question

Level 1

34 points

Force sync iCloud drive

Can you force a sync of iCloud storage? It doesn't seem to update across all devices. MacBookAir 15” M2 Ventura and now Sonoma. iPhone. iPad. All up to date.

Please do NOT reply with the standard answer. I already have all my devices signed in with the same AppleID, am on a stable, fast wifi connection and have reset.

This is not a new issue, it has been going on for years for me and other people as evidenced by the many questions about this.

I get syncing of some files but not others, typically with a hour to days delay. Occasionally it syncs quickly. Files created from the same app in the same folder some sync and some don’t. Across multiple apps and folders. Inconsistent and slow.

Apple please add a Sync Now button or menu item.

Better yet fix this. It should just work.

Posted on Feb 2, 2024 6:48 AM

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Answer 1

LuizFr

Level 1

80 points

Feb 3, 2024 3:15 AM in response to pubwvj

Hi pubwvj

This also happens to me all the time and, like you, I did not find a solution yet. Some suggestions can be found in this link iCloud for Mac is stuck on "waitin… | Apple Developer Forums. Have you already see that?

Luiz

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Answer 2

LuizFr

Level 1

80 points

Feb 3, 2024 5:17 AM in response to pubwvj

Hi pubwvj,

This problem is very annoying. For me, when it happens, the iCloud Drive icon shows that the file was not uploaded (dotted cloud), but when I access iCloud Drive from the web, the file is there. What I have done is move the file to some temporary folder that is not in iCloud Drive and then put it back in the original folder until the upload is done. Lots of work and waste of time. My hope was that with the iCloud Drive changes in Sonoma (https://eclecticlight.co/2023/10/25/macos-sonoma-has-changed-icloud-drive-radically/) this issue would be resolved, but apparently it wasn't. Too bad.

Luiz

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Answer 3

pubwvj Author

Level 1

34 points

Feb 3, 2024 4:01 AM in response to LuizFr

That was an interesting read. Thank you.

I am still having this problem - Intermittently. I just did test files and all synced within a minute. Earlier today it wasn't working. I resort to sending files with Messenger and then saving them on my other devices. Very wasteful of my time. It should just work.

This problem has been going on since at least back as far as Sierra, High Sierra & I have had it now in Ventura and Sonoma. This is across multiple Macs including my new November purchased MBA. Everything is fully up-to-date, Resets, off&on, etc. Tried touching files as some people mentioned but when it isn't working that doesn't help and when it is working that isn't necessary. Clearly that is triggering something for some people though.

Since it works some of the time that proves that my system and my high speed fiber optic internet connection (250MB/s) are not the problem. Also, this happens around the world. I live in Vermont, USA but have had it work and not work in Boston, MA, Doha, Qatar, Manila, PH, Mindanao, Philippines and other places. Right now I am in the Philippines and have great fiberoptic service - it works great right now but at other times not. Just like at home in Vermont.

Clearly given all the user reports of this problem and the long history of the problem (>12 years) this is something they sorely need to address. It appears they have a fundamental issue going on.

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Answer 4

muguy

Level 10

90,344 points

Feb 2, 2024 9:26 PM in response to pubwvj

No force sync or button is necessary. Any changed file syncs automatically. Generally you’ll see sync in a matter of seconds but could be slightly longer depending on network connections.

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