Syncing with iCloud Paused Mac

What “syncing with iCloud paused” means on a Mac

There are a host of reasons why iCloud syncing has been paused on your Mac. The syncing process has been interrupted because your network connection is poor, your iCloud storage is full, or your device is experiencing a software glitch.

But overall, your syncing issue is typically a temporary situation you can easily fix. We’ll explore all the ways you can do that below. And don’t worry—while it may seem like a lot of solutions, you only need one to fix your iCloud syncing process.

A note from our experts: 

 

There are many ways to back up your MacBook to iCloud again, but the most convenient of these is using MacKeeper’s Premium Services. This feature connects you to an expert technician who helps you troubleshoot and fix Mac system issues, including iCloud sync interruptions. This allows you to skip all the time-consuming self-help solutions below—and avoid making costly errors, too.

 

Ready to get started? Follow the step-by-step instructions below to use MacKeeper’s Premium Services:

1. Download the MacKeeper app on your MacBook Pro or Air device and install it. It’s a quick and efficient process.
2. Open the app, select the Premium Services option from the left sidebar, and hit the Chat Now button to get started.
3. Describe the issue in the text box and follow the expert’s instructions.

How to fix syncing with iCloud paused on Mac

To fix “syncing with iCloud paused” on a MacBook: restart your Mac, reconnect to a stable network, check your Apple system status, sign out and back into iCloud, manage your iCloud storage, update macOS and iCloud, or contact Apple support.

Refer to the guides below for more in-depth instructions for each fix. Remember: you don’t have to implement all the fixes listed. Just one of them should do the trick. If not, simply move on to the next solution until you’re sorted.

1. Restart your Mac

Our first step is often to restart our Mac laptop. Not only is it the most straightforward and quickest fix, but it can also clear temporary system glitches that might be interfering with iCloud syncing.

Here’s how to quickly and safely restart your Mac:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your MacBook device and select the Restart option.
2. Wait for your Mac to switch off and power back on again.

2. Reconnect to a stable network

We’ve found that an unstable or weak internet connection is the most common reason for iCloud syncing being paused. For this reason, we suggest switching to a stronger Wi-Fi or using Ethernet if that’s an option.

3. Check Apple’s system status

Checking the status of your Apple services is another good place to start. It helps us quickly identify any problems with Apple services like Apple Music, Find My, Photos, and iCloud. Visit Apple’s System Status page to see if iCloud is experiencing any service disruptions. The green dot indicates those services are available or online. Checking Apple’s system status eliminates any guesswork on your part and saves time accessing iCloud Photos on your Mac to see if a service is working properly.

4. Sign out and back into iCloud

Similar to restarting your computer, logging out and back into iCloud can refresh syncing processes that have been delayed. We find this helpful for kicking iCloud sync into gear when it’s suddenly paused unexpectedly.

Follow this approach to log out of iCloud and log back in:

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings > your name > Sign Out.
2. You have the option to make a copy of your iCloud data before signing out. If you want to do this, check the appropriate boxes and select Keep a Copy. If you have macOS Ventura or earlier, you can also keep a copy of your Safari passwords on your Mac by clicking Keep on This Mac.

5. Manage iCloud storage

Our Mac often stops syncing when our iCloud account is full. When that happens, we either need to delete unnecessary files, photos, messages, and more, or upgrade our plan. You should do the same to start syncing your Mac with iCloud again.

Follow this guide to check if your iCloud storage is full:

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. Click on your name (if your name doesn’t appear, choose Sign in, enter your Apple Account email address or phone number, and enter your password).
3. Now click on iCloud.
4. Select Manage.
5. You should see a list of apps and features, and the amount of iCloud storage they use in descending order. For more details, click an app or feature.

A tip from our team: 

 

Curious about the link between iCloud and your Mac’s storage? Find out why iCloud Drive uses storage on a Mac.

6. Update macOS and iCloud

We try to keep macOS updated to avoid experiencing bugs affecting iCloud. But it’s common to fall behind on implementing new updates. When this happens, we simply update macOS on the spot. It’s quick and easy, and you should, too.

Follow these steps to implement macOS updates:

1. Click on the Apple logo and select System Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Wait while your Mac looks for new updates. If it finds them, click the Update Now button.

7. Contact Apple support

If none of the six fixes work, you have one more option: contact Apple Support for further assistance. Apple Support helps Mac owners like you troubleshoot issues like iCloud sync interruptions, learn how to get the most out of your Mac, and repair your device as needed.

What to do when syncing on iCloud is paused on a Mac

When iCloud syncing suddenly pauses on your Mac, rest assured knowing you have multiple fixes available, most of which you can try at home—no technical smarts needed. These include restarting your Mac, reconnecting to a stable network, checking your Apple system status, signing out and back into iCloud, managing your iCloud storage, updating macOS and iCloud, and contacting Apple support when all else fails.

To avoid going through this long list of fixes, though, you can simply rope in a MacKeeper expert, and they’ll take care of it for you. To do this, simply select Premium Services in the MacKeeper app, tell them what’s happening, and follow their instructions as necessary.

Want more tips? We have hundreds of expert guides on the MacKeeper blog. For example, if you want to keep some of your favorite photos on your Mac instead of iCloud, and you have enough storage space, you can transfer or import your photos from your iCloud to your Mac device.