Solved! 8 Fixes to iCloud Drive not Syncing Among Devices

iCloud Drive is a handy feature that ensures all your files stay consistent across all your devices. It's become even more user-friendly on iPhone and iPad with the Files App, especially in iOS 11. In essence, when iCloud Drive is activated on your Windows PC, Mac, and iOS devices, it harmonizes all your documents and files on these devices.

Nonetheless, many iPhone users frequently encounter the issue of "iCloud Drive not syncing." If you're reading this article, you might be facing the same problem. Don't fret; we've got the solutions you can try to effectively address this issue. Keep reading to learn more.

Why is iCloud Drive not syncing?

Before diving into the solutions, it's essential to understand why iCloud Drive may not be syncing as expected. Several factors can contribute to this issue:

• Poor or no Internet connection
• Outdated operating systems
• Insufficient iCloud storage
• Incorrect iCloud/iCloud Drive settings
• File Conflicts
• iCloud server issues

Now that we understand the potential causes, let's explore the solutions to fix iCloud Drive not syncing.

How to fix iCloud Drive not syncing on Windows 11/Mac/iPhone

You will learn 7 methods to fix the iCloud Drive file not syncing issue on Windows, Mac, and iPhone. You can try these solutions one after another until your issue gets fixed. If you are in a hurry, you can also head to the next part to get a quick solution to access iCloud Drive files on PC with a powerful tool.

1# Check the Wi-Fi connection

If you're experiencing issues with iCloud Drive not syncing or updating, the first step is to verify the Internet connection on your devices. A stable and reliable internet connection is a crucial component of iCloud Drive syncing. Should you encounter any network-related problems on your devices, resolving these issues may serve as a solution to the "iCloud Drive not syncing" problem?

2# Check your Apple ID and iCloud Drive settings

The second and also necessary solutions is to check your Apple ID and iCloud Drive settings on all your devices, in which iCloud Drive does not sync files. Whether you're dealing with issues on your Windows PC, Mac, or iPhone, it's crucial to ensure that you've signed in to iCloud using the same Apple ID across all your devices and have set up iCloud Drive correctly. To confirm your iCloud Drive settings, follow the tips below.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud and scroll down to turn on iCloud Drive.

On Windows PC: Running iCloud for Windows desktop app > iCloud Settings > Tick iCloud Drive and press the Apply tab.

On Mac: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud and then select iCloud Drive.

3# Check iCloud storage space

When iCloud Drive is enabled, documents stored in iCloud should automatically sync to iCloud Drive. If your iCloud Drive isn't syncing due to files not updating to iCloud, it's advisable to check your iCloud storage.

To check iCloud storage space, navigate to Settings > Tap [your name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage (or Manage Storage in iOS 15 and earlier). If necessary, you can delete old backups on iCloud to free up space.

4# Check iCloud Drive Status

Apple provides a dedicated page that displays the status of your Apple devices, indicating whether they are activated or disabled. You can easily monitor real-time updates on iCloud status by visiting Apple’s official System Status website. If it shows as "disabled," it's advisable to wait a bit and attempt to access it again after some time.

5# Check software update

If your devices are running the old operating systems, the problem of “iCloud Drive not syncing” will also occur. Thus, it is suggested to check and update the operating systems to the latest version on all your devices.

On iPhone: Go to iPhone Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install if there is a new iOS update.

On Windows: Go to Windows Settings > Update & Security > Press Check for updates. If there is a new version available, update and restart your computer.

On Mac: Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Click General in the sidebar > Click Software Update to have a check.

6# Force iCloud to end

If you are using a Windows computer, and encounter iCloud Drive not syncing issue, it’s better to stop iCloud and restart it all over again to refresh its functions. Here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1. Right-click your taskbar to select Task Manager.

Step 2. Scroll down to select iCloud service. Then press the End task tab on the right lower side.

7# How to utilize iCloud Drive on the web

If, still, your iCloud Drive is not syncing, you can resort to using the web-based service to upload local data directly to iCloud. Let’s take syncing MP3 music from Windows PC to iCloud Drive as an example.

Step 1. Open a web browser and visit iCloud.com and sign in using your Apple ID > Click the iCloud Drive tab.

Step 2. Upload items like MP3 music, documents, etc. from your local computer to iCloud.

Anyway, this method can help you sync data from local devices to iCloud Drive manually.

Quick fix: Access iCloud Drive files on PC with FoneTool

If your files in iCloud Drive cannot sync from your iOS devices to PC, why don't you try a third-party tool to get access to them? Here we recommend FoneTool, which provides you with a quick way to view, download, and upload files in iCloud Drive. 

Free download FoneTool to your computer by clicking the icon below, and follow the steps below to know how to access and download iCloud Drive files to PC with FoneTool.

Step 1. Launch FoneTool, choose My iCloud > Sign in with your iCloud account, and enter the verification code prompted on your device to confirm.

Step 2. Click Manage iCloud > Choose iCloud Drive > From here, you can browse all iCloud Drive files, simply check the files you need to sync, and click Download button.

Step 3. Finally, you can choose a destination to save the files and click Download to start the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, iCloud Drive is a valuable tool for keeping your data in sync across your Apple devices, but it can encounter syncing issues due to various factors. By following the fixes outlined in this article, you can troubleshoot and resolve iCloud Drive not syncing problems on Windows 11, Mac, and iPhone.

Additionally, creating a local backup of your iPhone on your computer provides an extra layer of security for your data, ensuring that your valuable information is always within reach.