How to Manually Sync iCloud on Mac & iPhone in 2025

• What are iCloud Syncing and Manual Syncing?
• Why are My iCloud Accounts Not Syncing?
• How to Manually Sync/Refresh iCloud on Mac & iPhone
• Bonus Tip: Automatically Sync iCloud with Another Cloud via MultCloud
• Conclusion
• FAQs about Manually Force iCloud

What are iCloud Syncing and Manual Syncing?

You may see the "Back Up Now" button for iCloud Backup. However, iCloud Sync does not provide a similar button like that, because iCloud Sync runs automatically as long as you enable the services syncing between iCloud and your device.

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage and computing service that keeps all your devices in sync. It seamlessly syncs various types of data, such as photos, contacts, calendars, notes, and more, across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices.

Although the iCloud sync process is automatic, you may encounter the syncing stuck or not working issue. In this case, you may want to force iCloud to sync. Manual syncing in iCloud allows you to trigger the syncing process for specific data types or apps on demand. This means you can update your iCloud data whenever you want, ensuring that the most recent information is available on all your devices.

Why Are My iCloud Accounts Not Syncing?

You may want to know how to manually sync iCloud, especially when your iCloud Drive not syncing on Windows 10, Mac, iPhone, or other devices. Let's figure out some common reasons for this issue.

1. Network Issues: Poor or unstable internet connectivity can disrupt iCloud syncing.

2. Outdated Software: Running outdated iOS, macOS, or app versions may hinder syncing capabilities.

3. Storage Limit: Hitting the storage limit on your iCloud account can prevent further syncing.

4. Selective Sync Settings: Incorrect or incomplete selections of data to sync can lead to incomplete syncing.

5. iCloud Service Disruptions: Temporary outages or issues with Apple's iCloud services may disrupt syncing.

6. Authentication Problems: Authentication errors or incorrect login credentials can hinder syncing.

7. Conflict with Third-Party Apps: Certain third-party apps or settings can interfere with iCloud syncing.

8. Device-Specific Issues: Unique issues on individual devices can cause syncing problems.

9. Data Corruption: Data corruption within iCloud data can affect syncing.

10. Apple ID Issues: Problems related to your Apple ID can impact syncing.

How to Manually Sync/Refresh iCloud on Mac & iPhone

Since iCloud includes several services like Photos, Password & Keychain, Contacts, Calendars, Notes, Safari, and so on. When you manually sync or fresh iCloud, you can also fresh these services. The following parts will tell you the specific steps.

How to Manually Sync iCloud on Mac

Method 1. Disable and Re-enable iCloud

Step 1: Open System Preferences and click your Apple ID.

Step 2: Enter the iCloud page. Then disable and re-enable the iCloud services. For example, if you want to manually sync iCloud Photos, you can switch off the button beside “Photos” to disable it. Then, wait for minutes and switch it on. After that, all the data on iCloud Photos will be updated across devices.

Method 2. Create a New Folder to Trigger the Sync

If your iCloud Drive sync is not working, you can create a file or folder under the "Documents & Desktop Folders" to trigger the sync process. The prerequisite is that you check the "Documents & Desktop Folders" option in the iCloud Drive settings.

Step 1: Open Finder and navigate to the "Desktop" or "Documents" folder.

Step 2: Create a file or folder under "Desktop" or "Documents".

How to Manually Sync iCloud on iPhone

If you want to force iCloud to sync on your iPhone, you can also disable and re-enable the services in iCloud.

Step 1: Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2: Click on your Apple ID, find iCloud, and enter the iCloud page.

Step 3: Tap on “Show All” in the “APPS USING ICLOUD” part to see all the iCloud services. Then, unselect and select the services to refresh them.

Bonus Tip: Automatically Sync iCloud with Another Cloud via MultCloud

If you also use another iCloud account or other cloud drives, such as Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive, or pCloud, you can sync files between the cloud accounts. By doing so, you can access files and collaborate with other services. To automate the sync process, you can use MultCloud Cloud Sync to automatically sync your iCloud Drive or iCloud Photos with Google Drive or Google Photos.

Cloud Sync supports offline sync and the sync task can run in real-time. Therefore, you don’t have to create a new task every time you want to move the files. Besides, Cloud Sync offers a sync mode called Incremental Sync which only syncs the modified or added files. With it, you don’t have to worry about duplicates occupying the cloud storage.

The steps will show you how to use Cloud Sync to sync iCloud Photos to Google Photos. If you want to sync files from iCloud Drive to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or others, just change the source and target clouds at each step.

Step 1: Create a free MultCloud account. You can enter your email address and password to register. Or, use your Google/Apple/Facebook account to sign up.

Step 2: Add iCloud Photos and Google Photos to MultCloud. To add a cloud, click “Add Cloud” and its icon. Then log in to its account to let MultCloud access your files or photos.

Step 3: Select “Cloud Sync” in the left sidebar and choose the 2 clouds in the boxes. Then you can switch to Real Time Sync or open “Options” to choose “Incremental Sync” if you need it. At last, tap on “Sync Now” to start syncing.

Except for Cloud Sync, MultCloud also offers other functions that can help you solve multiple cloud tasks.

Conclusion

Whether you want to update your photos, contacts, calendars, or other information, manual syncing ensures that your iCloud data is always up to date. By following the provided instructions on how to manually sync iCloud, you can easily manage your iCloud syncing preferences and enjoy a seamless Apple ecosystem.

FAQs about Manually Force iCloud

How do I force my iCloud to sync?

Whether you want to force your iCloud to sync on Windows, Mac, or iPhone, you can disable and re-enable the iCloud services to make it. On Mac, you can also create a file or folder under "Desktop" or "Documents" to trigger iCloud sync.

How do I manually sync my iCloud backup?

To manually sync iCloud Backup, you can open the Settings on your device > open iCloud > go to iCloud Backup > click "Back Up Now".

Can I manually force iCloud backup on my iPhone?

Yes, you can manually initiate an iCloud backup on your iPhone. Go to "Settings" > [Your Name] > "iCloud" > "iCloud Backup." Tap "Back Up Now" to manually trigger a backup of your device to iCloud. Ensure you're connected to Wi-Fi and have enough iCloud storage available for the backup to complete successfully.

Can I manually sync iCloud Drive on my Windows PC?

Yes, you can manually sync iCloud Drive on a Windows PC by opening the "iCloud for Windows" application, clicking "Options" next to iCloud Drive, and then selecting "Download new files" or "Upload new photos and videos" to manually sync your iCloud Drive content.

How do I manually sync my iCloud Drive on an Android device?

To manually sync your iCloud Drive on an Android device, you'll need to use the iCloud website through a web browser on your Android device. Log in to iCloud.com, select "iCloud Drive," and you can manually upload, download, or manage your iCloud Drive files.