iCloud won't sync notes on MacBook Air

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iCloud won't sync notes on MacBook Air

This is the 3rd place I've tried to ask a question. They truly erect as many gratuitous, time-consuming, frustrating barriers as possible to getting what you need.

I broke down and paid for iCloud+ because Notes on my 2023 MacBook Air was only showing 1 after I took my MBA into the shop, when I have 165. My phone still shows 165, but my MBA still just shows one. I've changed my password, waited an hour because the device was in a "new" place (my apartment, where it's lived for 2 years), made sure both devices are logged into the same iCloud account (as if I'd pay for more!), and quit and restarted Notes several times. I've made sure syncing for Notes is turned on both on my phone and MBA. I can't figure out why it's not working or find any solutions, other than Apple repeatedly pointing me back to the same places like logging into iCloud (which it wouldn't let me do, even though I click "Allow" on the other device, where it gives me a 2FA code there's nowhere to enter).

This is ridiculously difficult and frustrating. Please help. Thanks.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iCloud won't sync Notes

MacBook Air, macOS 15.6

Posted on Aug 30, 2025 11:47 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 3, 2025 12:35 PM in response to Jon Morgan2

Jon Morgan2 wrote:

I can't figure out why it's not working or find any solutions, other than Apple repeatedly pointing me back to the same places like logging into iCloud (which it wouldn't let me do, even though I click "Allow" on the other device, where it gives me a 2FA code there's nowhere to enter).

On what device are you trying to log into iCloud when this happens? You said that both your iPhone and Mac were already logged into the same Apple Account.

When you look at the folders screen in notes, what account does it show the notes are stored in? Are they all in iCloud? Or are some of them in a different account? Or only on the Phone itself?

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