Safari tab groups not syncing

[macdaddy3000]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

 

[l_deslauriers]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

Thanks a lot. Toggling off/on didn't work for me (even when Safari off + restart of devices). Starting a shared message worked even without sending. Realized tabs were slower. It was because they were shared. But they were shared with no-one. So I just cancelled the share. Anyways, thanks!

 

[KSB]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

This fixed my issue as well! I tried the toggle of safari off/on without any luck, but your share suggestion, tabs are starting to pop up on my mac desktop which was missing them

 

[martinlk]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

This also worked for me. Thanks for sharing!

Edit: Only the tab groups where I initiate a share (I don't actually send anything) seem to pop up on my Mac. All other tab groups are still missing. Guess I'll have to go through them all.

 

[KSB]

This also worked for me. Thanks for sharing!

Edit: Only the tab groups where I initiate a share (I don't actually send anything) seem to pop up on my Mac. All other tab groups are still missing. Guess I'll have to go through them all.

Yeah you sadly have to go through them all, but it seems after that, things just work — tried to create a new tab group on the device which didn't sync, and it synced perfectly with all devices.

this solution has now worked for almost a month without hickups, so macdaddy3000 deserves all the praise 👏🏻

 

[Six Mac Abs]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

Can confirm, this just fixed the issue for me too! Thanks, this has been driving me nuts for weeks now.

 

[kovaxs8]

I have a similar issue: I erased my MacBook Pro 13.5.1 (22G90), and after that, old tab groups didn't sync. Turning off and back on Safari in the iCloud settings didn't work for me. Here's how I solved it: I re-synced each tab group manually.

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Go to the device that has all your old tab groups.
2. Right-click (or hold, in the case of an iPad or iPhone) until the options menu appears.View attachment 2251662
3. Click on 'Share' and then click on 'Messages'. You don't actually have to share it; just wait until the tab group preview loads. After that, the tab should be synced back to all your devices.View attachment 2251663View attachment 2251664View attachment 2251665
4. Repeat this for each tab.

 

[attila]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

THIS worked for me!

I had to do this with every tab group, though. But I'll take it!

 

[macdaddy3000]

I have a similar issue: I erased my MacBook Pro 13.5.1 (22G90), and after that, old tab groups didn't sync. Turning off and back on Safari in the iCloud settings didn't work for me. Here's how I solved it: I re-synced each tab group manually.

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Go to the device that has all your old tab groups.
2. Right-click (or hold, in the case of an iPad or iPhone) until the options menu appears.View attachment 2251662
3. Click on 'Share' and then click on 'Messages'. You don't actually have to share it; just wait until the tab group preview loads. After that, the tab should be synced back to all your devices.View attachment 2251663View attachment 2251664View attachment 2251665
4. Repeat this for each tab.

Excellent! Sounds like the same concept discovered on iOS, but translated to Mac OS. Thanks for sharing the detailed step-by-step.

 

[Jagfel]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

Did the trick for me too! Man, I'm a happy camper again! Thanks!

 

[Serzenn]

FWIW I discovered a different solution after toggling Safari off/on in iCloud preferences didn’t work for me.

On my iOS device, I tried to Share one of the problem Tab Groups via the Messages app. This appeared to trigger something b/c my other devices suddenly “saw” the group and began syncing again. Did not even need to send the message - simply starting that action by opening the messages app was enough.

In 2024 this bug is still around and has not been fixed by Apple, but your solution still works. In my case, I just had to message Tab Group to myself and opened it on my mac and after that all other Tab Groups also synced. before that they were just empty. Thank you for the solution!

 

[dimitarvp]

Well I can't do this alternative solution because my tab groups disappeared from all my devices after upgrading to iOS 18. I'll recheck my Mac but not much hope.

Also turning Safari's iCloud syncing off and on again sadly did nothing, both on my iPhone and iPad.