Safari Reading List not syncing between iPhone and Mac? How to fix it
Published · 5 min read
If Safari's Reading List is not syncing, the cause is almost always that Safari is not switched on in iCloud on one of your devices, or that the devices are not signed in to the same Apple Account. Check those two things first; most of the time that is the whole fix.
Below are the checks in the order worth trying, what to do if they do not work, and how to keep a separate copy of your links so a sync problem never costs you your list. Menu names move around between iOS and macOS versions, so where a label differs on your device, look for the closest match.
Why is my Reading List not syncing?
Reading List is part of Safari's iCloud sync, together with bookmarks, tabs and history. It only syncs between devices that are signed in to the same Apple Account with Safari turned on in iCloud. The common causes:
- Safari is switched off in iCloud on one device, so that device neither sends nor receives the list.
- The devices use different Apple Accounts, for example a work or old account on the Mac.
- No connection, or a sync that is just slow. Changes can take a few minutes to show up.
- A temporary glitch that a restart or an iCloud off-and-on clears.
How do I check that Safari sync is on?
- 1On the iPhone, open Settings and tap your name at the top. Note the Apple Account shown there. On the Mac, open System Settings and check that the account at the top of the sidebar is the same.
- 2On the iPhone, go to Settings → your name → iCloud, then open the full list of apps that use iCloud (it is called See All, Apps Using iCloud or similar, depending on the iOS version). Make sure Safari is on.
- 3On the Mac, go to System Settings → your name → iCloud, open the list of apps that use iCloud, and make sure Safari is on there too.
- 4Open Safari on both devices, show the Reading List (the glasses tab in the bookmarks view on iPhone, or the Reading List tab in the Mac sidebar) and wait a few minutes with both devices online.
Do this on every device you expect to share the list, including an iPad. A single device with Safari switched off is enough to make the others look out of step.
What if it is still not syncing?
Work down this list, checking the Reading List after each step:
- 1Check the internet connection on both devices, then open Safari on both and leave them for a few minutes.
- 2Restart both devices.
- 3Update iOS and macOS to the latest versions your devices support.
- 4Turn Safari off in iCloud on the device that is missing items, then on again. iOS and macOS may ask what to do with the Safari data already on that device; choose to keep it on the device rather than delete it. If you are unsure, copy your links out first, as described below.
- 5Sign out of iCloud and back in on the affected device. This is a bigger step, so only do it after the earlier ones, and read each prompt about local data before you confirm.
- 6Check Apple's System Status page for iCloud problems. If iCloud itself is having an outage, the only fix is to wait.
How do I keep a copy of my Reading List links?
Reading List is a convenient list, not a backup. If it matters, keep your links somewhere you control as well:
- Share the links out. Open an item, tap Share and send it to Notes or a messaging app, or follow how to share a list of links from your iPhone.
- Use a link app with its own export. Linkeeper can back up the whole library to a file you keep, independent of any account. How to back up your links before switching iPhones walks through it.
Offline copies are a separate matter from the list itself. If you read on a plane, see how to save web pages to read offline on iPhone.
When is a different tool worth it?
If Reading List sync works for you, keep using it; it is free and built in. A link app is worth a look when the problem is not the sync but what Reading List cannot do: it only saves from Safari-based sharing, has one flat list, and only exists on Apple devices signed in to the same account.
Linkeeper is an iPhone app that saves a link from any app's share sheet without opening it, and keeps everything on the phone first, so the list and search work with no connection and no account. Signing in with Apple or Google is optional and syncs links, tags and collections between devices running Linkeeper. It has no Mac or web version, so it does not replace Reading List if you read on a Mac. Linkeeper vs Safari Reading List compares the two in detail.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is my Safari Reading List not syncing between iPhone and Mac?
- Most often Safari is switched off in iCloud on one device, or the devices use different Apple Accounts. Check both on every device, then give them a few minutes online. If that fails, restart, update, and toggle Safari off and on in iCloud.
- Where is the Reading List on my Mac?
- In Safari, open the sidebar and choose the Reading List tab (the glasses icon). If it is empty, check that Safari is on in iCloud settings.
- Will I lose my Reading List if I turn iCloud Safari off?
- Not necessarily. When you turn it off, the device may ask whether to keep or delete the Safari data on it. Choose to keep it. If you are unsure, share your important links out first so you have a copy.
- How long does Reading List take to sync?
- Usually a few minutes with both devices online and Safari open, but Apple does not publish a guaranteed time. A longer delay points to a settings or account problem.
- Does Linkeeper sync with my Mac?
- No. Linkeeper is an iPhone app with no Mac or web version. Its optional sign-in syncs links, tags and collections between devices that run Linkeeper.