What causes "Keynote Not Syncing With iCloud Between Mac and iPad"?

iCloud Drive or Keynote's iCloud toggle turned off on one device Different Apple Accounts on devices Full iCloud storage A stuck upload of a large file Outdated Keynote or OS

How do I fix "Keynote Not Syncing With iCloud Between Mac and iPad"?

1. Check the sync status icon: In the Keynote document manager, look at the presentation's thumbnail An upload icon means it's still syncing; a warning icon means the upload failed 2. Confirm iCloud settings on every device: Mac: System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive and turn on Keynote under Apps syncing iPad/iPhone: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive and make sure Keynote is on Check iCloud storage isn't full 3. Toggle Keynote's iCloud sync: Quit Keynote Turn Keynote off under iCloud Drive, wait a minute, turn it back on Reopen Keynote and wait for sync 4. Re-add a stuck file: Export or duplicate the stuck presentation to a local folder Delete the stuck iCloud copy and move the local copy back into iCloud Drive > Keynote

// troubleshooting guide · apple keynote

Keynote Not Syncing With iCloud Between Mac and iPad

Status: Workaround available
platforms:: macOS, iPadOS, iOS
updated:: November 15, 2026
reports:: 5
Method: how we research

RUNBOOK · keynote/icloud-not-syncing4 FIXES

// quick answer

Keynote syncs through iCloud Drive. Check the presentation's sync icon, make sure iCloud Drive is on for Keynote on every device with the same Apple Account, then toggle Keynote's iCloud sync or re-add the stuck file.

Most likely fix: Check the sync status icon

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

FIX 1Check the sync status icon
1. 01In the Keynote document manager, look at the presentation's thumbnail
2. 02An upload icon means it's still syncing; a warning icon means the upload failed
Did this fix it?
FIX 2Confirm iCloud settings on every device
1. 01Mac: System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive and turn on Keynote under Apps syncing
2. 02iPad/iPhone: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Drive and make sure Keynote is on
3. 03Check iCloud storage isn't full
Did this fix it?
FIX 3Toggle Keynote's iCloud sync
1. 01Quit Keynote
2. 02Turn Keynote off under iCloud Drive, wait a minute, turn it back on
3. 03Reopen Keynote and wait for sync
Did this fix it?
FIX 4Re-add a stuck file
1. 01Export or duplicate the stuck presentation to a local folder
2. 02Delete the stuck iCloud copy and move the local copy back into iCloud Drive > Keynote
Did this fix it?

Symptoms

A presentation shows an upload arrow that never finishes, edits made on the Mac don't appear on the iPad, or Keynote warns that some edits couldn't be uploaded to iCloud.