While using MarginNote 4, I noticed that files created or updated on my MacBook weren’t syncing to my iPad. It seems the data was not being properly uploaded to iCloud from the MacBook, leading to discrepancies between the two devices.
Despite trying all the solutions suggested in community forums, none of them resolved the issue. Eventually, I attempted a different approach.
When pressing the “List” button in MarginNote 4, there’s a “Cloud Sync” section. In the dialog window, the title shows which StudySet is currently being downloaded.
However, it kept showing the following messages repeatedly:
This seemed odd, because both of these data sets—Sample StudySet and Sample Review Group—are default resources that come pre-installed with MarginNote 4. These should not be synced via iCloud.
I suspected that, for some reason, MarginNote was continuously attempting to sync these default files, which in turn was preventing other files from uploading correctly.
So I deleted the Sample StudySet and Sample Review Group from both my MacBook Air and iPad. After doing so, I confirmed that the sync function returned to normal.
I believe there is currently a bug causing Sample StudySet and Sample Review Group to be repeatedly synced, resulting in a sync loop that hinders proper data synchronization. I would appreciate it if this issue could be investigated.
Hi choosla! I also encounter the same problem. However, even I deleted both files in my ipad and macbook, it still continues to sync the “sample review card deck”. I do not know why this is still happening…
Please delete all the default PDFs and videos that come with the document.
Now, both my iPad and MacBook are successfully synced. As mentioned in the forum, the root cause was simply that it was “slow.” I left MarginNote open on my iPad for about three hours, waiting for the notes I organized on my MacBook to appear.
I’m not sure exactly what takes the longest to sync, but I believe handwritten notes made with the Apple Pencil take the most time.
The default files provided by MarginNote contain a lot of handwriting. Because the app prioritizes syncing these documents, other files are left waiting in line. This creates the false impression—especially for first-time users—that syncing is not working. In reality, it is just proceeding very slowly. Even the sample study file takes a long time to sync.
I have the same Problem and even after deleting everything also in the local folder it is still stuck in the endless loop of downloading the sample study set
I thought the same at first. But be patient and wait — it’s actually progressing very slowly, almost unbelievably so. Keep both devices turned on and keep the app open on each of them.
I had noticed the same thing, that the sync kept repeating the same files, as choosla mentioned. I followed the steps he mentioned and it worked for me. I deleted the Sample Study set from my Mac first (and all related sources). I then synced the Mac, and the looping did not happened, where before the Sync request kept on repeating the same Sample Study set … The Sync request finished quickly. I then exited the MarginNotes4 from my Mac and opened my iPad app. Deleted the Sample Study set there, as well as the sources (pdfs, etc). I then performed a Sync on my iPad, and it finished quickly too. I closed the iPad app and relaunched MarginNotes4 on my mac and performed another Sync. My iPad study sets and Mac study sets were able to sync. I had several study sets on my iPad that had previously failed to show up on my Mac, and with this workaround, they synced without a problem. I had spent hours trying to figure this out. Thanks choosla.
I am experiencing the same issue even today, after 2 months.
My sync with 3 devices (ios, ipados, macos) is not working at all.
Nothing is fixed yet. I am a paid long time user of MN3 since 2018. I am disappointed with the quality and also with the technical support with this new MN4.
Actually, even if the study set is not deleted, sync is not completely broken. It’s just progressing very, very slowly. You need to keep the app open and the screen on for the device uploading to cloud. In my case, it took around four hours to complete the sync.
What I eventually discovered is this: although that sample studyset are not supposed to be uploaded to cloud, they actually are. That sample study set contains a lot of handwriting and annotations, so the upload takes a very long time—so long, in fact, that the files you actually want to sync don’t get uploaded at all.
All of this is based on one fundamental issue: sync is extremely slow—especially if your notes include a lot of handwritten content.
I’ve got the same issue I’ve solved the issue on my Mac and iPhone but even after deleting the Sample Documents and Review Card Deck my iPad still tries to sync them. I’ve deleted the iPad app twice and cleared the buffer but it keeps getting stuck with the Sample Files.
I’ve solved the issue on my Mac and iPhone but even after deleting the Sample Documents and Review Card Deck my iPad still tries to sync them. I’ve deleted the iPad app twice and cleared the buffer but it keeps getting stuck with the Sample Files.