Bug: Notes on the iPhone gone after approving new iCloud terms and conditions

For several weeks now, users of the popular Notes app on the iPhone have been reporting problems with disappearing content. The reason is apparently a technical problem in connection with the forced acceptance of new iCloud terms and conditions, which Apple requires in the context of the conversion of the Apple ID to the "Apple Account". For some users who do this, the existing data disappears afterwards. Fortunately, these are not completely gone – if you know what to do then.

Switching on and off seems to help

Those affected, particularly in the USA, have reported the problem in various forums and on social networks such as X –. However, it is not yet clear how widespread the problem actually is. The error did not occur on the devices of a Mac & i editor, but it appears to have nothing to do with the respective country of use or the language settings. Apple has not yet issued a statement or published a corresponding support document. The error apparently only occurs if the notes are also synchronized with iCloud.

However, there are now workarounds that are described by Macrumors, for example. If notes disappear after approving the terms and conditions, you should first go to the system settings under iOS and go to Apple account management. In the iCloud section, click on Notes and switch it off once in the synchronization section (green switch). Then wait briefly and switch it on again.

Alternative workaround better not

Normally, this should be enough to initiate a new synchronization of the data. However, sometimes it takes a few minutes. The error probably only occurs under iOS 18. The request to accept the new iCloud conditions was previously sent via push notification. Some users also report that it can help to create a new, empty note after the notes have disappeared in order to restart synchronization.

However, due to possible problems with the data status, it is better not to do this and instead use the above switch-off and switch-on method. Alternatively, you can also access the saved notes via iCloud.com. However, Internet access (Web Access) must not be deactivated for this.

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