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Irishrebel40
User level: Level 1 (20 points)

Notes app not syncing on MacBook Pro and iPhone 14

My Notes will NOT sync on my MacBook at all with my iPhone. I have followed every single solution I can find. Turned off the sync on the phone and the Mac and back on again, in different sequences. Uninstalled Notes and reinstalled on the phone. Can't uninstall it on the Mac.


I had updated a note on the Mac but it would not sync with the phone, but after I did all the above, the only result now is that my Mac only has one old note from 2020 and the 'iCloud' on the left menu bar has a constantly rotating dial. The only change recently was when I obtained an iPhone 14 to replace my iPhone SE (3rd Gen), but I'm sure it was syncing even after I bought the new phone 28 days ago.


MacBook Pro 2017 Ventura 13.7.8

iPhone 14 iOS 26.6.2

Posted on Oct 3, 2026 10:17 AM

3 replies

TheLittles
User level: Level 10 (211,627 points)

Oct 7, 2026 10:38 PM in response to Irishrebel40

“Thanks for that, but I wasn't sure which files I should be adding to the 'Spotlight Privacy' box and removing again, so I tried a few ones I thought might be relevant. No change, I'm afraid. Unless there is a specific file for Notes?”

———-


Troubleshooting Syncing Notes:


Syncing through iCloud doesn't necessarily have to be an iPad; you can also perform this on a Mac. Here is what to try...


Troubleshooting Syncing iPhone Notes:


I. Try the Following Links:


II. Sync Through iCloud:

Look in iCloud settings or preferences on each device, and make sure that Notes is enabled. If it already is enabled, then disable Notes, and then enable Notes. See what happens when you open the Notes app on that device.

A. On an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Go to: Settings
  2. Tap: Your Name (Top Item)
  3. Tap: iCloud
  4. Tap: Notes (so that it is green)


B. On a Mac:

  1. Go to: Apple menu
  2. Click: System Settings
  3. Click: [your name] (top item)
  4. Click: iCloud
  5. Click: Show ore Apps
  6. Click: Notes
  7. Tap: the dongle (so that it is green)
  8. Click: Back
  9. Click: Done
TheLittles
User level: Level 10 (211,627 points)

Oct 3, 2026 7:44 PM in response to Irishrebel40

"Notes app not syncing on MacBook Pro and iPhone 14"

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Rebuild the Spotlight Index:

I don't have Ventura installed (anymore, but for a Time Machine Backup). You've already tried the typical toggle off, then toggle on method. So, reset the Spotlight Index, if Notes are not been seen.

  1. Go Here: About Spotlight Indexing and Search Results on Apple Devices - Apple Support
  2. As it Reads: "On Mac, rebuilding part of the Spotlight index can help resolve stubborn search issues affecting certain files within a disk or folder:"
Irishrebel40 Author
User level: Level 1 (20 points)

Oct 6, 2026 5:12 AM in response to TheLittles

Thanks for that, but I wasn't sure which files I should be adding to the 'Spotlight Privacy' box and removing again, so I tried a few ones I thought might be relevant. No change, I'm afraid. Unless there is a specific file for Notes?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256369771