I have a problem with records syncing across devices (4 iOS devices, all updated to 26.4.1, all using the latest version of Tapforms, all using iCloud sync). Changes made on 1 or more devices are just not syncing reliably with the others (can be subtle – a date change, updated stock quantity etc, or fairly major changes to the form layout and multiple data changes).
This has been going on for some time and I haven’t really seen a pattern as to which device is more affected (although I do use 1 of them a lot more than the others so inevitably this iPad is showing more errors/inconsistencies, but would also contain most of the “current” data and recent changes. I have also lost track of what I have edited so I can’t realistically go through and correct manually.
The recent Tapforms update has not fixed the issue.
Any advice on what to do? And if a fix is available, will all records be merged and corrected? I think this has been an issue for some weeks…………..
-
This topic was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by
Tom Bradley.
Hi Tom,
There’s a lot going on there it seems. And sorry for my delayed response.
I would recommend picking one device that’s your primary “source of truth” and then doing an initial sync on that document on that device. Do this by:
1. Go to Settings
2. Click on Sync
3. Select the None sync service
4. Delete the document from iCloud by tapping on the trashcan on iOS or click on the Delete from popup button on macOS on the Sync screen.
5. Now select Cloud+ Sync.
6. Wait for it to finish syncing completely.
7. Go to your other device and delete the document from there.
8. Tap or click on the iCloud Documents download button on the main Database Documents screen (the one with all the documents you click/tap on to open them up).
9. Tap Forms will list the documents you’ve synced with Cloud+.
10. Click or tap on the download button next to it.
Tap Forms will now open an empty version of that document and then it will start syncing it.
That should get you going again.
Thanks,
Brendan
I have just upgraded from Tap Forms 5 to Pro and am synching across 4 devices.
I am experiencing the same problem as Tom with apparently random non-synching of bits of data.
Before trying your advice, Brendan, can you just clarify:
You mention deleting from iCloud and then selecting iCloud+. As I understand it, iCloud+ is a subscription version. Are you really saying we need to take out an iCloud+ subscription to try to solve the synching problem?
Hi Brian,
No, Cloud+ Sync is not the same as Apple’s iCloud+ subscription service. Sorry for the naming confusion. Cloud+ Sync is just a new algorithm for syncing with iCloud. I wasn’t sure exactly what to call it as an optional, yet separate iCloud sync service.
So it just uses your own iCloud account the same as the regular iCloud sync service. It’s just more efficient and uses less storage space than the previous version. I didn’t want to just replace the iCloud Sync service with Cloud+ in case people were happy and successfully using the existing one, so I just made it another sync service to choose from.
Hope that clears it up.
Thanks,
Brendan
Ah, thanks for the clarification Brendan!
I’ll try your advice with the syncing problem.
Brian
I too have been having issues with syncing across devices. First I was a year into creating my own database for my collection and one field I had at that time simply wouldn’t sync across one field. Ultimately, I made a mistake and lost that year of work. So I am starting over and now multiple fields won’t sync no matter what I try. So, I really don’t know what to do now. I have no idea what changed in the last few months but I feel I have now wasted an enormous amount of my time and now money in a service that has become unreliable and pretty much useless. What’s the point of a database that only functions on one device and 90% of that data is only on that device?
Hi Aaron,
Which sync service are you using? Have you tried Cloud+ sync?
It seems odd that certain fields won’t sync. What kind of fields are they? Try making a small change to the fields such as renaming them. That should trigger a sync.
Thanks,
Brendan
Hi Brendan, I’m currently using TapForms 5 with the following setup:
One shared database synchronized via IBM Cloudant between 4 Macs with different Apple IDs (my collaborators)
Two personal databases synchronized via iCloud across my Mac, iPhone, and iPad
I’m considering migrating to TapForms Pro, but I need to understand:
Does TapForms Pro still support IBM Cloudant (or Apache CouchDB) for multi-user sync between different Apple IDs?
If not, what is the recommended solution in TapForms Pro to sync a shared database between multiple users with different Apple IDs?
Can TapForms Pro handle both scenarios simultaneously — a shared database synced via one service and personal databases synced via iCloud on Mac, iPhone and iPad?
Thank you
Maurizio
Hi Maurizio,
No, Tap Forms Pro does not support IBM Cloudant nor Apache CouchDB anymore.
But multi-user sync is supported now with the new Cloud+ Sync system (or iCloud). FYI, Cloud+ Sync does use iCloud to sync. Just a new algorithm I’m using.
Yes, Tap Forms Pro can support syncing with different services. Each document basically has its own sync service selection.
Thanks,
Brendan
Brendan
as you know i’m testing the pro version right now.
I want to sync over the cloud with my spous who was a different apple account.
Yes, we do share apple iCloud
can I just set up the syns service and I’m ready to go?
Never mind, figured it out, but it’s a bit complicated. Sharelink is only provided from iOS?
The Mac version has a Share function too. Click the Share button on the window’s toolbar. It will show you a window where you can copy the link or email it or text it.
You might need to customize the window toolbar in order to see it.
Cheers, Daniel
---
See https://lab.danielleu.com/tapformspro/ for scripts and tips&tricks
Hi Brendan
Further to 29 April discussion, I have followed the advice you gave to Tom.
I’m still experiencing some syncing issues between my two MacOS devices and an IOS and an iPadOS.
Normally the Cloud+ syncing works OK but sometimes apparently random failures occur in not syncing updates to field contents or photos.
I suspect this might be more associated with the IOS/iPadOS devices than to the MacOS devices.
Hi Brian,
If you make subsequent edits to the records, do they sync then?
It’s difficult to diagnose and come up with a definitive solution for an issue that’s random unfortunately. But if there’s a reproducible case that you could generate a sample document to illustrate, and send it to me, that would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Brendan
Hi Brendan
Yes, if I make subsequent edits to an affected record it can jolt it into syncing correctly. For instance, if a photo added to a record on one device hasn’t appeared on a different device, I might add another photo just to force a new synch which then might work correctly.
It is an irritating bug which leads to unreliability but the rest of your product is really excellent so it won’t stop me using and enjoying it.
Brian
.
