Did Your Apple Notes Disappear? Here’s How to Fix It

Apple Notes users are reporting a new bug that makes it look like their files have been deleted.

First spotted by MacRumors, the problem appears to be affecting iPhone users who recently accepted iCloud’s revised terms and conditions, though Apple has not confirmed. Those terms, updated in September, were sent to iPhone users via push notification.

Some users said the glitch eventually resolved itself, but if this isn’t the case for you, 9to5Mac recently posted a fix. Head to the Settings app, and tap your name at the top of the screen. Select iCloud > Notes and toggle “Sync this iPhone” to on. After a few minutes, your notes should be restored. If your iPhone is already synced to iCloud, toggle it on and off.

The glitch doesn’t seem to be confined to any particular model of iPhone, just those running iOS 18, 9to5Mac reports.

Despite technical hitches like these, iCloud has received a few helpful updates in 2024. In October, Apple allowed users to change their iCloud email address for the first time with the introduction of iOS 18.1, meaning users got a chance to change unfortunate email addresses.

In February, meanwhile, a redesigned iCloud Windows app allowed users to sync their iCloud photos to a folder on Windows, sync their Safari and iCloud bookmarks with Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, as well as view iCloud contacts on Microsoft Outlook.

About Will McCurdy

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I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.

I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.

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