iCloud Notes subfolder moves do not sync to Notes app

The issue you are experiencing, where folder reorganizations made on the iCloud.com website do not reflect in your computer's Notes app, usually indicates a synchronization "stall" or a local caching error on your device. While the cloud server has recorded the move, your computer’s local database is failing to download those structural changes. When you reorganize folders on the web, iCloud sends a "push" notification to your devices to update their index. If the Notes app on your computer is struggling with a corrupted local index or a slow connection, it may ignore these structural updates or even "revert" them by pushing its own old folder structure back up to the cloud.

To resolve this, you need to force your computer to refresh its connection to the iCloud Notes database. You can start by going to System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on your Mac and toggling the Notes switch to OFF, then back to ONafter about 30 seconds. This forces the app to re-examine the folder hierarchy stored in the cloud. Additionally, verify that you are moving folders within the iCloud section of the Notes app, as changes made to folders in "On My Mac" or third-party accounts like Gmail will never sync to iCloud. You should also check for "stuck" notes, as a single note with a large attachment or a sync error can block an entire folder from moving.

If the web-based move continues to fail, try performing the move directly within the Notes app on your Mac while connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Once you have dragged and dropped the subfolder into the new parent folder, look at the bottom of the folder list for a status message like "Downloading..." or "Updating...". It is important not to quit the app until this message disappears to ensure the changes are fully uploaded to the cloud.