If you’re an iPhone and other Apple user, most likely you are not used to doing much troubleshooting with many of Apple’s devices. That’s because, for the most part, Apple devices work well with other Apple products including the Apple OS. Now, if you are a hybrid of both Apple and PC than you know just how much of a pain it can be getting the two to work. For instance, iCloud is said to sync your data via wireless with your computer, iPad, and iPhone. This is said to work just fine being a hybrid (Apple & PC) user, but many users are finding out that this is simply just not the case.
Troubleshooting iCloud Sync With Outlook
Note: These troubleshooting tips are ideally for someone that would like to sync their iPhone with Outlook on a PC using iCloud. However, you can use these tips to help you troubleshoot any similar environment.
OK, So you’ve installed iCloud and think you’ve set it up correctly right? However, it’s still not completely working so whats going on?! Let’s say that your calendar syncs fine but not your contacts. A few ways to begin troubleshooting this are:
- On your iPhone, go to iCloud and switch off contacts. Now switch it back on.
- On your PC, go to iCloud and switch off contacts. Now switch it back on. (make sure Outlook is closed)
See if this works, if it does then great! If not, don’t worry we have a few more things to try.
If you’re familiar with Outlook then you know that Outlook stores all of your data into a (.pst) file aka personal storage table. This is the file that holds all data important like your email, contacts, and calendar events. When you successfully setup iCloud sync on your PC with Outlook then you will know this is working because the data file will be a live, available, and working. You can check this by going to: File, Accounts Settings, and Data Files in Outlook 2010. If you have an older version of Outlook simply find where your data files are stored.
If the filename is complete with gibberish(9784-dexcx84d1d9-….in C:…) then you shouldn’t have problems syncing. Now, if your filename says something other than that, we definitely have a problem. Most likely iCloud didn’t like how you set it up to begin with or it magically broke somewhere a long the way. To fix iCloud and Outlook sync issues, you will need to perform the following:
- On your phone, in iCloud turn off all sync options. Go back to iPhone home screen.
- On your PC, in iCloud configuration turn off all sync options here too. Close iCloud sync configuration.
- Still on your PC, in Outlook – Account Settings, Data Files, delete the data file with name iCloud. Now close Outlook.
- On your phone go back to iCloud and turn on all sync options. (or just the ones you want.)
- On your PC, open the iCloud sync configuration and turn on all sync options you’d like to use. (it will prompt you that sync is completing setup.)
- Sit patiently… it can take a few minutes…
- Once it’s complete keep iCloud configuration open and open Outlook. Now check to see if your calendar events are there and contacts.
If you followed the instructions above correctly this should fix any sync issues you were at one time having. I have successfully performed the following in many cases. If you still are unable to fix the issue you have a couple options.
1. Submit a support ticket with us and we’ll setup a remote session right away! We offer fast and secure nationwide remote technical support.
Or,
2. Take your devices into an Apple store, wait in a huge line for hours, and hope they can resolve the issue.
