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.