Syncing with iCloud Paused? Here's How to Fix It!

Seeing the message "Syncing with iCloud paused" on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac? You're not alone—this is a common issue that can interrupt backups, photo uploads, message, and more. Whether it's due to low power, poor network connection, or storage issues, the good news is: it's usually easy to fix. In this post, we'll provide the best fixes for syncing with iCloud paused, so you can get your device back to syncing smoothly in just a few steps. Without dilly-dallying much, let's start!

Part 1: Why Is Syncing with iCloud Paused?

Syncing with iCloud can be paused for several reasons. If you're seeing the "Syncing with iCloud paused" message, here are the most common causes:

• If your device's battery is low or if it's in Low Power Mode, iCloud syncing may pause to save power.
• If your iCloud storage is full or nearly full, syncing will be paused until there's enough space.
• Syncing requires a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If your device loses connection or is on a poor network, iCloud syncing will pause.
• If there's an issue with your Apple Account or iCloud Account, syncing may be paused. This could happen if your iCloud session expires, or there are issues with your Apple Account verification.
• Certain apps that use iCloud for syncing (like Notes, Contacts, or Photos) might be having trouble syncing due to specific app-related issues.
• If Background App Refresh is turned off for certain apps, syncing might be paused because iCloud requires background access to sync data.
• Sometimes, system glitches or bugs can cause syncing to pause unexpectedly.
• When syncing large amounts of data (like a massive photo library or large backups), iCloud may pause syncing if the process takes too long or there's a large backlog.

Part 2: How to Unpause Syncing with iCloud?

Given that you've known the possible reasons for syncing with iCloud paused error. Now let's following these proven methods to unpause syncing with iCloud.

Method 1: Charge Your Device and Turn Off Low Power Mode

When your device is in Low Power Mode, iOS limits background tasks like iCloud syncing to save energy. Syncing will pause until the battery is sufficiently charged or Low Power Mode is off.

Steps (iPhone/iPad):

1. Plug your device into a charger.

2. Go to Settings > Battery.

3. Toggle Low Power Mode to Off.

4. Wait a few minutes to see if syncing resumes automatically.

Steps (Mac):

1. Click the battery icon in the menu bar.

2. If "Low Power Mode" is enabled, go to System Settings > Battery and turn it off.

Method 2: Connect to a Stable Internet Network

iCloud requires a reliable internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi) for syncing. If your connection is unstable or weak, syncing can be paused automatically.

Steps (iPhone/iPad):

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.

2. Ensure you're connected to a strong, stable Wi-Fi network.

3. Toggle Airplane Mode on, then off, to reset your network.

4. Try turning Wi-Fi off and back on.

Steps (Mac):

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.

2. Connect to a strong network.

3. You can also try turning Wi-Fi off and then back on.

Method 3: Free Up iCloud Storage

If your iCloud storage is full or nearly full, syncing will pause until space is available.

Steps (iPhone/iPad):

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage.

2. Review what's using your storage (e.g., Photos, Backups, iCloud Drive).

3. Tap into any category to delete unnecessary files, app data, or old device backups.

4. Or tap Upgrade iCloud+ to buy more storage.

Steps (Mac):

1. Go to System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud.

2. Click Manage to review and remove files or backups.

Method 4: Restart Your Device

Temporary software glitches or stuck processes can cause iCloud to pause. A simple restart clears the system and reinitializes services like iCloud syncing.

Steps (iPhone/iPad):

1. Press and hold the Side button + Volume Up (or Down) until the power slider appears.

2. Slide to power off.

3. Wait 30 seconds, then turn your device back on.

Steps (Mac):

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left.

2. Choose Restart.

Method 5: Update iOS/macOS

Apple often releases updates to fix bugs, including iCloud syncing problems.

Steps (iPhone/iPad):

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

2. If an update is available, tap the Update Now button to update your iOS/iPadOS system to the latest version.

Steps (Mac):

1. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.

2. Install any available updates.

Method 6: Manually Sync Device Data

If automatic syncing is paused, manually syncing your data can trigger an update and push recent changes to iCloud. This is especially useful for apps like Photos, Messages, or Contacts, which allow manual refreshes. It ensures your most recent data is uploaded without waiting for the system to resume on its own.

Manual sync forces the device to reconnect with iCloud and attempt a fresh data upload—bypassing any temporary pause in automatic syncing.

1. Open Settings, then tap your Apple Account at the top.

2. Tap iCloud, then scroll to the Saved to iCloud section and tap See All.

3. Select Photos, Messages, or any app you want to sync.

4. Toggle Use on this iPhone off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

5. Finally, tap Sync Now (if available) to manually start syncing.

🔁 Repeat for each app or service you want to sync manually.

Method 7: Sign Out and Back Into iCloud

Sometimes your iCloud session may expire or encounter errors. Signing out and back in refreshes your session and re-establishes syncing.

Steps (iPhone/iPad):

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name].

2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.

3. Enter your Apple Account password to confirm.

4. Restart your device.

5. Go back to Settings, sign in with your Apple Account again.

6. Enable the iCloud services you want.

⚠️ Important: Make sure you have a recent backup or your data is synced before signing out.

Steps (Mac):

1. Go to System Settings > Apple Account.

2. Click Sign Out, then restart your Mac.

3. Sign back in via System Settings > Sign in with Apple Account.

Part 3: Fix iCloud Sync Issues Caused by Activation Lock with TunesKit

If you're facing the "Syncing with iCloud Paused" message and suspect your device is linked to someone else's Apple Account—especially after buying a second-hand iPhone or iPad—then the issue might be related to Activation Lock. In such cases, normal troubleshooting won't work. This is where TunesKit Activation Unlocker comes in.

TunesKit Activation Unlocker is a professional tool designed to help you bypass iCloud Activation Lock when you're locked out of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and can't access the original Apple Account credentials. What's more, it can also help you fix this iPhone is linked to an Apple ID issue. Features a simple and intuitive interface, it is suitable for all users.

Step 1Connect Your Device

Download the software for Windows or macOS. Install and launch TunesKit Activation Unlocker on your computer. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the computer using a USB cable. Click Remove iCloud Activation Lock on the TunesKit interface. Read the disclaimer carefully and click Start to proceed.

Step 2Jailreak Your Device

TunesKit requires jailbreaking the device to remove the iCloud lock.

On macOS:

• TunesKit will automatically download the jailbreak tool.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to enter DFU Mode.
• The software will then jailbreak your device automatically.

On Windows:

• You'll need to create a jailbreak USB using Checkn1x or similar.
• TunesKit will provide step-by-step instructions and links to do this.
• Boot your PC from the jailbreak USB and follow the terminal-based instructions to complete the jailbreak.

Step 3Remove iCloud Activation Lock

Once the jailbreak is successful, return to the TunesKit interface. Click Start to Remove. The software will begin removing the iCloud Activation Lock. Wait a few minutes—your device will reboot without the lock.

Part 4: FAQs about Syncing with iCloud Paused

Part 5. Conclusion

If you're seeing the "Syncing with iCloud Paused" message on your iPhone or iPad, this article offers a range of effective solutions to get your data syncing again. If the issue is tied to an iCloud Activation Lock, especially on second-hand devices, TunesKit Activation Unlocker is highlighted as a powerful tool to bypass the lock and restore normal access, helping you fix syncing problems caused by Apple Account restrictions.