MobileMe: Troubleshooting syncing from Mac OS X

Resolution

Update to the latest version of Mac OS X

MobileMe members should use the latest available version of Mac OS X.  Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger users should update to Mac OS X v10.4.11.  Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard users should update to Mac OS X v10.5.4 or later.  To find software updates, see this article.

Verify your settings

Open the MobileMe pane (or .Mac in Mac OS X 10.4.11) in System Preferences by choosing System Preferences from the Apple menu.  Click MobileMe, then the Sync tab.  Make sure that you are syncing the information types you expect.

Confirm that a sync is not already occurring

If a sync is already occurring the synchronize with MobileMe checkbox will be grayed out.  Make sure there is not an open sync alert dialogue and wait for the sync to complete.

Check online for your calendars or contacts

If your calendars or contacts do not sync as expected, check MobileMe Calendar or MobileMe Contacts.  If the data is correct there, your data is on the MobileMe servers.  If this is the case, resync the data on your computer with data from MobileMe.

1. Open MobileMe System Preferences.
   Note: In Mac OS X v10.4 you will see .Mac in System Preferences, rather than MobileMe.
    
2. If you have Mac OS X v10.5, click Sync and then click Advanced. 
   If you have Mac OS X v10.4.11, just click Advanced.
    
3. Click Reset Sync Data.
4. Choose the affected data, and make sure the arrow is pointing from MobileMe toward your computer.
5. Click Replace.

If your data on MobileMe is not the most current data from your computer, resync your data on MobileMe with the data from your computer.

Create a new Mac OS X user

Because MobileMe Syncing on Mac OS X is user-specific, creating a new user is a great troubleshooting step that can help you identify your issue.  After creating a new user, try syncing your data using that new user.  Next follow one of these two steps:

If you are able to sync your MobileMe account in a new Mac OS X user, log back in to the affected Mac OS X user and troubleshoot your keychain.  If your keychain is working as expected, reset your SyncServices folder and try syncing again.

If you are unable to sync your MobileMe account using a new Mac OS X user, try this:

• If you are syncing multiple types of data, try syncing just one data type until you isolate the issue down to a specific data type
• Repair permissions
• If you have a firewall or many devices in your network setup, try simplifying your connection to the internet and then syncing again.  If you have a portable computer, take your computer to a location with a different network and try again

If these steps do not resolve your issue

If you need further assistance, contact MobileMe Support.  Be sure to provide a detailed description of your issue, which troubleshooting steps you have performed, and any other information you feel may be relevant to your issue (such as the text of any alert dialogs you might have seen).