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 v10.5 Leopard users should update to Mac OS X v10.5.8. Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard users should update to Mac OS X v10.6.2 or later.  To find software updates, see this article.

Verify your settings

In the Finder, choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu, click the MobileMe icon (".Mac" in Mac OS X Tiger), and then click 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. If a sync is occurring, 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 (".Mac" in Tiger).
2. If you have Leopard or Snow Leopard, click Sync and then click Advanced. 
   If you have Mac OS X Tiger just click Advanced.
3. Click Reset Sync Data.
4. Choose the affected data, such as calendars, 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, and the most recent data is on 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 deleting all sync data on MobileMe (these steps are only possible in Leopard and Snow Leopard):
  1. Open MobileMe System Preferences.
  2. Click Sync, and then click Advanced.
  3. Leopard: Select each computer and choose Unregister for each computer.
     Snow Leopard: Select each computer and choose Stop Syncing Computer.

When this is complete, you will see an alert asking if you want to delete the unused sync data on MobileMe. Select the option for each data class and click Delete. Restart your computer and then try syncing with MobileMe again.

After all of the steps above, if you are still unable to sync:

• Try syncing just one data type, such as calendars, until you isolate the issue down to a specific data type (if you are syncing multiple data types).
• 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 alerts you might have seen).