iPhone 'scanned document' not syncing to Mac iCloud folder

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adolfgarlic Author

Level 1

46 points

iPhone 'scanned document' not syncing to Mac iCloud folder

iPhone use the 'scanned document' shortcut
scan doc
save
move to the folder where I want it to go (because the 'scanned document' functionality sucks by not asking!)
wait until message reads that it has synced (it's at the bottom in the folder where the scanned doc resides in the iOS Files app)
go to Mac and open iCloud folder, expecting to find file
nothing there - not even as an item to 'download now' literally nothing!!
yes my Mac is connected to the web, how else could I be posting this?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iPhone 'scanned document' appears as 'synced with cloud' but not showing in Mac iCloud folder

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 1, 2025 8:30 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Richard.Taylor

Level 6

17,047 points

Aug 28, 2025 8:33 AM in response to adolfgarlic

Why not use AirDrop?

The Scan routine uses the Notes app-- is that where you're looking?

As for iCloud syncing, since syncing uses the battery, and since lots of people are very anxious about battery drain, the iPhone will avoid syncing when not plugged in. And since syncing uses processing power, and people hate slow-downs, the iPhone will avoid syncing while you use it. And since syncing requires bandwidth, the iPhone will avoid syncing when the internet connection is weak.

So, if you want faster syncing, then find good wifi, plug the phone in, and leave it alone. All this applies to a lesser extent for the Mac.

Even without all that, I just a few minutes ago made a change in Photos on my phone, and the change was complete in Photos on my Mac in about a minute.

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Answer 2

Jul 2, 2025 7:34 AM in response to adolfgarlic

By "iCloud folder," do you mean iCloud Drive folder? On your phone, did you put the file (what sort of file is it? pdf?) in the iCloud Drive section of Files?

How long did you wait? It could take a little while, especially if the devices are not plugged in, connected to good wifi, and left alone.

If I were in a hurry, I'd AirDrop the file.

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Answer 3

adolfgarlic Author

Level 1

46 points

Jul 14, 2025 11:34 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

It appeared after about 20 mins. Absolute joke!

I had just saved the file into a folder in the 'iCloud drive'

I could see it in one but not both yet both claimed to be 'up to date' on the sync side of things

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Answer 4

Jul 15, 2025 7:38 AM in response to adolfgarlic

Since syncing uses the battery, and since lots of people are very anxious about battery drain, the iPhone will avoid syncing when not plugged in. And since syncing uses processing power, and people hate slow downs, the iPhone will avoid syncing while you use it. And since syncing requires bandwidth, the iPhone will avoid syncing when the internet connection is weak.

So, if you want faster syncing, then find good wifi, plug the phone in, and leave it alone. All this applies to a lesser extent for the Mac.

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Answer 5

Jul 18, 2025 11:59 PM in response to adolfgarlic

adolfgarlic wrote:

6. go to Mac and open iCloud folder, expecting to find file

I usually open some iCloud Drive file to do a forced sync because otherwise the automatic sync might not happen immediately.

Previously I did a dummy update to some file or folder but just opening some existing iCloud Drive file seems to have the same effect at least with the apps I use.

Previously I also glanced the file modification date to make sure I did not continue to edit an old version of a document when I knew I had just edited it in another Mac. I wish there was a "Sync Now" button and the time of the last sync in iCloud folders.

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