Why aren't my Reminders syncing across my Apple Devices?

Question

Level 1

18 points

Why aren't my Reminders syncing across my Apple Devices?

This question has been asked a number of times in the past, and I've even been a part of one of those conversations (upvote, Me Too, replied to a comment) but all of the posts seem to be ignored by Apple or any expert in the community. Why is that?

If it's something we're doing wrong (can't find such in settings, etc.), tell us the correct way to make this work.

If it's an account issue, tell us what to turn on in our accounts so that sync happens across other devices like so many other functions in the Apple ecosystem that do work.

If it's a design flaw, tell us and that you're working on it.

At least give us something; please.

I've missed meetings, appointments, flight check-ins, etc. do to this broken "feature" and it's quite annoying to discover later in the day or the next day when opening my MacBook that all the notifications did indeed trigger but ONLY there on the MacBook. This being broken seriously defeats the purpose of multi-device syncing, AND when a reminder doesn't even trip/notify on the device upon which it was set, simply proves that the entire feature is broken/doesn't work; building distrust in the Apple ecosystem as a whole.

Someone please at least address this issue with a response. PLEASE...

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Apple Watch Ultra, watchOS 11

Posted on Dec 20, 2024 8:50 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 20, 2024 9:13 AM in response to Cgh001

Cgh001 wrote:

This question has been asked a number of times in the past, and I've even been a part of one of those conversations (upvote, Me Too, replied to a comment) but all of the posts seem to be ignored by Apple or any expert in the community. Why is that?

Apple doesn't respond here in this user-to-user forum unless it's a matter of health or safety. It's possible that none of the community "experts" have ever replied because they didn't see the posts (I've certainly never seen one on this issue) or because they don't know the answer.

If it's something we're doing wrong (can't find such in settings, etc.), tell us the correct way to make this work.

If it's an account issue, tell us what to turn on in our accounts so that sync happens across other devices like so many other functions in the Apple ecosystem that do work.

If it's a design flaw, tell us and that you're working on it.

I've never experienced the problem or heard of anyone else who has so I can't make any specific suggestions. I created reminders using all of my Apple devices and they all show up on all of the devices.

I've missed meetings, appointments, flight check-ins, etc. do to this broken "feature" and it's quite annoying to discover later in the day or the next day when opening my MacBook that all the notifications did indeed trigger but ONLY there on the MacBook.

That sounds like an issue with Calendar notifications, not anything to do with the Reminders app. So, I'm even more unsure of what your problem is.

Reply

Answer 2

Cgh001 Author

Level 1

18 points

Dec 22, 2024 9:01 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

There are at least 3 posts here that have been locked due to lack of activity/answers on this exact issue that I have found; and as stated above - even participated in over a year ago.

Here's an example of the issue that I suffered just yesterday:

I invoked Siri on my Watch Ultra and said "Set a reminder to check in at 12:20pm" to remind me to check in for a flight as soon as that window opened, to get the best opportunity to move my seat if a better one was available, as well as get checked in for my flight.

Siri responded with "OK, I've done it." and a screen confirming the reminder on my watch.

12:20 rolls around and... nothing. I was driving at the time, so my laptop was in my bag in the back seat area. While sitting at a stoplight around 12:45, I remembered myself and checked my watch & phone for any new notifications - nothing. Zero. I pulled over and checked in on my own without any notifications ever taking place on my watch or phone.

After I'd returned home (flight & drive home completed) I opened my laptop to complete the day's work, and there among the many other notifications was the reminder to check-in for my flight; useless at this point.

As stated, there are many posts by others here and on other online places stating this exact situation and requesting help for a remedy, or at least looking for others who've had a similar experience (which usually a number of folks reply saying they are in the same boat.)

Hopefully this helps clarify & thanks for the response!

Cheers,

C

Reply

Answer 3

Cgh001 Author

Level 1

18 points

Dec 22, 2024 9:16 AM in response to Cgh001

There are at least 3 posts here that have been locked due to lack of activity/answers on this exact issue that I have found; and as stated above - even participated in over a year ago.

Here's an example of the issue that I suffered just yesterday:

I invoked Siri on my Watch Ultra and said "Set a reminder to check in at 12:20pm" to remind me to check in for a flight as soon as that window opened, to get the best opportunity to move my seat if a better one was available, as well as get checked in for my flight.

Siri responded with "OK, I've done it." and a screen confirming the reminder on my watch.

12:20 rolls around and... nothing. I was driving at the time, so my laptop was in my bag in the back seat area. While sitting at a stoplight around 12:45, I remembered myself and checked my watch & phone for any new notifications - nothing. Zero. I pulled over and checked in on my own without any notifications ever taking place on my watch or phone.

After I'd returned home (flight & drive home completed) I opened my laptop to complete the day's work, and there among the many other notifications was the reminder to check-in for my flight; useless at this point.

As stated, there are many posts by others here and on other online places stating this exact situation and requesting help for a remedy, or at least looking for others who've had a similar experience (which usually a number of folks reply saying they are in the same boat.)

Based on your post, I checked Notifications and Reminders, etc. in both phone and watch. Watch is set to mirror phone, and phone has everything turned on/enabled. This includes alerts, events, invitations & responses thereto, calendar changes, and Siri found in Apps...

Hopefully this helps clarify & thanks for the response!

Cheers,

C

Reply