Fix Syncing with iCloud Paused in 12 Effective Solutions

Penny Warren Published on July 17, 2025Unlock iOS4-min reading

"Why is photo syncing paused on my iPhone Air? Any ideas?" iCloud is a convenient option to sync your data across Apple products, like iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It enables you to access photos, contacts, notes, and other important data on all your computers and mobile devices. However, syncing can occasionally be interrupted, leading to delays in your data updates. This article explains why syncing with iCloud paused and how to resolve this issue quickly.

In this article:

Part 1: What Syncing with iCloud Paused Means
Part 2: Why Syncing with iCloud Paused
Part 3: How to Fix Syncing with iCloud Paused
Part 4: One-stop Solution to Fix iCloud Syncing Paused

Part 1: What Syncing with iCloud Paused Means

iCloud sync is a process that automatically updates your files and content on all devices that are signed into the same Apple ID. All modifications you make to your files, apps, and settings on one Apple device are instantly synced on all other devices. The data types that you can sync using iCloud include:

Photos

Contacts

Calendars

Notes

iMessage

Safari data

iCloud Drive

Compared to iCloud sync, iCloud offers an alternative method for storing your data: iCloud backup. It collects all data on your device and stores it on Apple's servers. Unlike iCloud sync, you have to restore iCloud backup to your device to regain access to your data. Remember that the data synced to iCloud won't include an iCloud backup.

What is syncing with iCloud paused meaning? It means that data syncing is paused, and the changes cannot be updated to other devices associated with the same Apple account.

Part 2: Why Syncing with iCloud Paused

Why does a message say syncing with iCloud paused? We should figure out the answer to this question before troubleshooting. It's unfortunate, but there are several reasons. The most likely factors are as follows:

1. Apple servers are down

2. Your iCloud account doesn't have enough storage space.

3. Your network is unstable or poor.

4. You are using a different iCloud account on your Apple devices.

5. Something is wrong with iCloud syncing.

6. Low Power Mode is turned on.

7. The date and time settings are wrong.

8. Software glitches.

Part 3: How to Fix Syncing with iCloud Paused

Based on the main causes, we identify proven solutions to help you resolve iPhone syncing issues with iCloud paused. You can try the solutions below one by one to sync your photos, messages, and other data across your devices.

Solution 1: Check iCloud Storage

iCloud gives each account 5GB of free storage. If you want more space, you can subscribe to iCloud+. If you encounter the syncing with iCloud paused problem, check and clear your iCloud storage.

Step 1

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2

Tap on your profile and go to iCloud.

Step 3

Check the iCloud storage space.

Step 4

If your iCloud has limited storage, tap Manage Account Storage.

Step 5

Go to Backups, select the unwanted backup, and tap Turn Off and Delete from iCloud.

Step 6

You can also delete useless files from iCloud Drive.

Solution 2: Check Apple Servers

Although it is uncommon, iCloud servers may experience downtime due to scheduled maintenance or an error. Once iCloud and iMessage servers are down, syncing with iCloud paused for iMessage will occur. You can find out the status of Apple servers on https://www.apple.com/in/support/systemstatus/ in a browser. Yellow or red shows the server is experiencing a problem. You will need to wait for the server to recover and then try syncing your iPhone with iCloud.

Solution 3: Check Internet Connection

iCloud syncing needs a stable internet connection. If you are using cellular data when syncing your iPhone, you'd better switch to a Wi-Fi network. If you are using Wi-Fi, check your network connection and ensure it works smoothly.

Step 1

Run your Settings app.

Step 2

Go to Wi-Fi.

Step 3

Toggle on Wi-Fi and connect to a stable network.

Step 4

Tap the Info button next to your Wi-Fi and toggle off Low Data Mode.

Solution 4: Restart iPhone

Restarting the iPhone is a basic troubleshooting solution. It can get rid of syncing with iCloud paused. That can clear out the cache and address minor software glitches, giving your device a fresh start.

Step 1

Hold the Side button and either Volume button together.

Step 2

When the power-off screen appears, release the buttons.

Step 3

Move the slider to shut down your device.

Step 4

Leave it for a few minutes.

Step 5

Long-press the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Step 6

Then, check if iCloud syncing works again.

Solution 5: Force Restart iPhone

If your iPhone gets stuck and syncing with iCloud paused, you cannot fix it by standard restarting. Alternatively, you need to perform a force restart for troubleshooting. The button combination is different depending on your iPhone model.

On an iPhone 8 or Later

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Long-press the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

On an iPhone 7/7 Plus

Hold the Side + Volume Down buttons together.

Release buttons when the Apple logo appears.

On an iPhone 6s or Earlier

Hold the Home + Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously.

When the Apple logo pops up, release the buttons.

Solution 6: Disable and Turn on iCloud Syncing

If iCloud syncing is paused for iMessage on your iPhone, you can manually re-enable it to solve this problem. The procedure is similar for syncing with iCloud, paused for photos and other data types.

Step 1

Start your Settings app from your home screen.

Step 2

Tap on your profile and go to iCloud.

Step 3

Choose the desired data type, such as Messages in iCloud.

Step 4

Toggle Use on this iPhone. Then, toggle on the option.

Step 5

Finally, tap the Sync Now button.

Solution 7: Disable Low Power Mode

Once you enable Low Power Mode on your iPhone, certain features will temporarily stop, such as syncing with iCloud paused. If you want to sync your data with iCloud, you'd better turn off this mode.

Step 1

Run your Settings app.

Step 2

Go to the Battery tab.

Step 3

Toggle off Low Power Mode.

Step 4

If prompted, read the alert.

Step 5

Finally, tap the Continue button to confirm the action.

Solution 8: Re-sign in Apple ID

iCloud syncing works through a single Apple ID. If you sign in to different Apple IDs on your Apple devices, you have to sign out of the account and sign in with the same one (you may need to remove old Apple ID from iPhone if necessary). Here are the workflows:

Step 1

Tap on your profile in the Settings app if syncing with iCloud is paused.

Step 2

Scroll down and tap the Sign Out button.

Step 3

When prompted, enter your Apple ID password.

Step 4

Select the data types that you want to keep.

Step 5

Tap the Sign Out button at the top right side.

Step 6

Next, tap Apple Account at the top of the Settings app.

Step 7

Choose Use Another Apple Device or Sign in Manually.

Step 8

Follow onscreen instructions to sign in with the same Apple account.

Solution 9: Correct Date and Time

If the date and time on your iPhone differ from your current time zone, syncing with iCloud will pause. The solution is simple: correct date and time on your iPhone following the steps below:

Step 1

Go to the General tab in your Settings app.

Step 2

Tap Date & Time.

Step 3

Toggle on Set Automatically.

Note: If your iPhone is connected to the internet, iOS will automatically correct the date and time.

Solution 10: Reset All Settings

Another solution to fix syncing with iCloud paused is to reset all settings on your iPhone. That will bring all settings to the factory status. However, this feature won't interrupt your data on your device.

Step 1

Open your Settings app.

Step 2

Go to the General tab.

Step 3

Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone and choose Reset.

Tip: If you use an old version of iOS, tap Reset.

Step 4

Choose Reset All Settings.

Step 5

Enter your iPhone passcode or Apple ID password when prompted.

Step 6

Finally, confirm that you have reset all settings on your device.

Solution 11: Factory Reset Your iPhone

Another solution to resolve syncing with iCloud paused is to perform a factory reset on your device. That can remove all data, apps, and settings. In other words, your iPhone will become the factory status.

Step 1

Head to the General tab in the Settings app.

Step 2

Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 3

Choose Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 4

When prompted, type your iPhone passcode or Apple ID password.

Step 5

Then, tap Erase All Content and Settings again to confirm the action.

Part 4: One-stop Solution to Fix iCloud Syncing Paused

If you forgot your iCloud password, it isn't easy to sign out of your old account and sign in with the same iCloud account. The good news is that imyPass iPassBye can help you fix this problem. It can bypass the old iCloud account from your iPhone or iPad without the password.

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How to Bypass iCloud Account and Fix iCloud Syncing Paused

Step 1

Connect to your iPhone
Install the best iCloud bypassing tool from the official website and launch it from your desktop. It is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and Mac OS X 10.13 or later. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a Lightning cable. If you connect the two devices for the first time, tap Trust on your screen to trust this computer. Then, click the Start button to proceed.

Step 2

Jailbreak your iPhone
If you have jailbroken your iPhone, click the Next button to move on.
If not, click the iOS Jailbreak Tutorial and follow the onscreen prompts to jailbreak your iPhone.
Then, click the Next button.

Step 3

Bypass iCloud
The software can read and load the information on your device. Check it and click on the Start Bypassing Activation button to begin bypassing iCloud on your iPhone. Keep your iPhone connected during the process. When it is done, disconnect your device.

Conclusion

This article explained why syncing with iCloud is paused for iMessage, photos, and other data types. More importantly, you can learn proven solutions to get rid of the problem and sync your data across your Apple devices through an iCloud account. imyPass iPassBye is the ultimate solution to solve this problem on your iPhone or iPad.

Penny Warren

Penny is a senior editor from imyPass. She has focused on discovering perfect GPS location solutions in all scenarios, and also has experience in fixing computers.