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iCloud

iCloud iPad

iA Writer is file storage provider agnostic but we recommend iCloud for the best experience on iPad:

[table_of_contents_ipad]

Set up iCloud

iCloud is on by default, but you can check with the following steps:

  1. Open iPad Settings app
  2. Tap on your name (Apple ID) → iCloud → iCloud Drive → Apps syncing to iCloud Drive
  3. Ensure iA Writer toggle is on

iCloud Drive

This is the latest version of iCloud, and is not compatible with the previous “Documents & Data” iCloud system. It requires iOS 8+ or OS X 10.10+ (Yosemite). Make sure to upgrade all your devices to iCloud Drive at the same time.

iCloud Security

In most global markets (c.2023), Apple has rolled out a new iCloud feature called Advanced Data Protection.

What this means for iA Writer for iOS

iA Writer’s default folder in iCloud Drive is end-to-end encrypted when Advanced Data Protection is enabled. This means your files are protected with end-to-end encryption when working in iCloud.

Per Apple: Some metadata and usage information stored in iCloud remains under standard data protection, even when Advanced Data Protection is enabled. This metadata is always encrypted, but the encryption keys are still stored by Apple. Specifically, this applies to the following features in iA Writer:

Smart Folders Smart Folder rules which are synced to Writer on all devices. Note the content of your files remains under end-to-end encryption.
Style Check Custom Patterns which are synced to all devices.
Global Metadata Global Metadata which is synced to all devices.

Regardless of your iCloud settings, some items remain unencrypted. On iPad this applies to the following:

Backups Local backups of your files are stored locally and never leave your device.
Index The document index (used for features like Quick Search and hashtags) is stored locally and never leaves your device.

These items are excluded from iTunes and iCloud backups.

iCloud and its features are products and services of Apple. For the latest and most accurate information on availability and how you can enable features, please see the following Apple resource: https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/use-advanced-data-protection-ipad86f9c540/ipados

iCloud Troubleshooting

Apple changed from iCloud “Documents & Data” to “iCloud Drive” in iOS 8. These two storages cannot be used at the same time, and documents cannot be synced between them. Make sure to upgrade all your devices to iCloud Drive at the same time.

Due to the nature of online storage systems, from time to time syncing issues can occur. Problems include single documents not syncing, being unable to open iCloud documents, devices becoming out of sync, etc. We suggest trying the following:

1. Is iCloud working on Apple’s side?

Check Apple’s System Status page, for the status of either iCloud Backup or iCloud Drive.

2. Update

iCloud works nicely, but there are annoying cases where it just fails. Apple is continuously improving iCloud with every version of their Operating Systems. We suggest in general that you update the operating system and iA Writer on all your devices.

3. Set the time automatically on all your devices

Settings → General → Date & Time → Set Automatically

4. Check that iA Writer is enabled in the iCloud Drive settings ¹:

Settings → iCloud → iCloud Drive (on) → iA Writer (on)

5. Check that you can see your iA Writer documents on Apple's servers

If you can see your files here, but they don't download to your device, it is possible firewall software, VPN and/or antivirus use can be preventing your files from downloading to your device.

6. Try the common fixes

Follow the steps on our website under trouble shooting.

7. Please confirm you have full internet access

Corporate firewalls and privacy programs such as TCPBlock can block traffic to iCloud’s servers. Also check if you’ve turned “Use Cellular Data” on in Apple’s Settings → iCloud → iCloud Drive.

8. Finally, some users reported that backing up your device, restoring it, then reapplying the backup might finally get iCloud running.

If backing up using iTunes, make sure to use “Encrypt local backup” to save your passwords.

iCloud syncing and versioning is handled by Apple

We use Apple’s APIs for all Writer apps to sync through iCloud, so all iCloud syncing and versioning is handled by Apple. That means there’s very little we can do about sync problems. However, we’re relieved to report that serious iCloud issues are now rare, and can almost always be fixed with the steps above. If this doesn’t address your problem, please [email us](mailto:[email protected]?subject=Support Request: iCloud Issues), and we’ll do our best to help.

¹ The requirements to see documents here are:

(i) That iCloud is active and using the same Apple ID.

(ii) Your device must be connected to the internet. Settings → iA Writer → Use Cellular Data must be turned on if you’re not connected to WiFi
(iii) If your device is managed by your company, they may have disabled iCloud Drive syncing. In this case iCloud → iCloud Drive won’t appear, and iCloud document syncing is not possible. ↑

iCloud FAQ

I upgraded to the new iA Writer and now I don't see my documents from iA Writer Classic. Why?

iA Writer and iA Writer Classic are separate applications so they use different folders in iCloud. The Classic folder has writer| as the icon, whereas the new iA Writer uses the iA| logo.To migrate your documents on iPadOS:

  1. Tap on the folder icon on the top-left corner of iA Writer Classic
  2. Tap on iA Writer on the top-left corner
  3. Tap on Export to iA Writer at the bottom-left corner
  4. Tap on Copy to iA Writer

Your files are also accessible online at the iCloud Drive website.

I want to back up Writer files stored in iCloud locally

On iPadOS, copy files to On My iPad folder using Files app.

If I choose to use iCloud, can I view or create documents while offline?

Yes. All your Writer documents in iCloud are saved on your device for offline use. iCloud syncs any documents you create offline — and any changes you’ve made — with your other devices the next time you use Writer while connected to the internet. If you edited the same iCloud document on two different devices, iCloud will determine which one is newer. If there’s a conflict, Writer will ask you to choose one or more versions to keep.

Can I recover deleted files?

You can restore deleted files for up to 30 days at icloud.com. Sign in with your Apple ID, then:

For the most up to date instructions on using iCloud recovery, please see the following Apple resource.

Can I access my files on the web?

Yes. You can access iCloud Drive in a web browser at icloud.com.

What are the terms of service and privacy policy for Apple’s iCloud?

iCloud requires iOS 5 or later on iPhone 3GS or later, iPod touch (3rd generation or later), iPad, or iPad mini; or a Mac computer with OS X Lion or later. For more information please see www.apple.com/icloud.

Help

FAQ

Below are answers to common questions. Everyone is special, but most questions that we get overlap.

Troubleshooting

Here are some things you can do if iA Writer acts in unexpected ways.

Backups and Recovery

Lost progress in a document? Regret deleting that paragraph? No problem!

Legacy Apps

Whenever possible, troubleshooting steps are listed here for iA Writer Classic on macOS & iOS and Writer 1.5.2 for Android.

Version History

Scroll through the history of our apps, version by version, platform by platform, update by update.

Accessibility

We want our products to be enjoyed by the widest possible audience.

URL Commands

Open iA Writer from other applications on both macOS and iOS, and perform specific actions on opening.