iCloud Syncing

Syncing is performed by Apple's secure and reliable iCloudKit. Newly entered data is synced in the background when it is safe to do so.
It may take iCloudKit up to a minute to upload changes to the cloud.
  • Always close Song One on your iOS device(s) by pressing the home button before editing your song catalog on a Mac. Re-open Song One on your iOS device(s) to fetch the latest changes you have performed on a Mac.
  • To fetch the latest changes you have performed on an iOS device click on the macOS desktop and re-select Song One (or quit and relaunch Song One).

Editing On Multiple Devices

When editing your song catalog it is recommended to do so only on one device at a time. Either close Song One on all other devices or put the other devices in sleep mode.
The same song may be viewed and auto-played on multiple active devices simultaneously. When a song is edited on multiple devices simultaneously Song One will only sync changes performed on one device and overwrite the changes made on the other devices.

Syncing Intervals

The changes to a song are synced within 5 to 40 seconds when you:
  • close the song (by selecting another song),
  • switch to a different app,
  • close or quit Song One,
  • put your device in sleep mode.
The changes to a set are synced within 10 to 40 seconds.
Note: If Song One is also running on a second device the sets will update via iCloud but the screen on the second device will not refresh. To refresh the screen re-open/close the set (or the entire Song One app) on the second device.
The changes to the theme settings are synced within 5 to 15 seconds. Themes may be customized on multiple devices at the same time. The screen on each device will automatically refresh. (Note: Background images are added to the specific song and are synced with the lyrics.)
Note: Your theme settings are backed up via iCloud but are not included in your local song catalog backup.
Theme settings cannot be recalled if you delete Song One on all devices and delete the data of Song One's iCloud container (in your system preferences).

Syncing Problems

To sync your devices without problems make sure that the release version of Song One is the same on all devices (macOS/iOS).
Note: Song One's preferences/settings offer an option to disable iCloud sync. Make sure the option is turned on to sync your devices.
If you are experiencing a syncing problem go through the iCloud troubleshooting guide.
If the iCloud troubleshooting guide does not help to solve the problem try the following:
  • Create a local backup of your song catalog in a folder outside of Song One's own app folder,
  • delete the Song One app on all your devices,
  • re-install the latest release version of Song One from the app store on all your devices.
Note: The local backup is a safeguard - your data will be automatically re-downloaded from iCloud once Song One has been re-installed.
If the syncing problem persists delete the data of Song One's iCloud container by doing the following:
1. Create a local backup of your song catalog (Backup Catalog -> Create) in a folder outside of Song One's own app folder.
2. Keep the Song One app installed on ONE device and delete it on all other devices.
3. Update the remaining Song One app to the latest version.
4. Relaunch the app and select:
  • Backup Catalog > Delete > Delete Library & Sets (Device & iCloud)
Note: Your song catalog will be deleted but your theme settings remain in the app.
5. Delete the data of Song One's iCloud container (on either your iOS device or on your macOS device):
  • iOS: Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage > Song One > ‘Delete Data…’
  • macOS 13 (or higher): Apple icon  (top left) > System Settings > User Name/Apple ID > iCloud > Manage (top right) > Song One (‘Delete All Data’)
  • macOS 11-12: Apple icon  (top left) > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloudDrive (‘options…’) > Song One (‘Delete all Files…’)
6. Relaunch Song One and restore the local backup of your song catalog by:
  • selecting Backup Catalog > Restore,
  • navigating to, and loading your local backup file (with the .sobc extension).
7. Re-install the latest released version on all other iCloud synced devices.

iCloud Troubleshooting Guide

If you are experiencing a syncing problem try the following options:
Make sure that iCloud and your iCloud Drive are enabled:
iOS
  • Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive: On
  • Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Song One: On
macOS 13 (or higher)
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Settings > User Name/Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive: On
  • Options > 'Apps that store documents on iCloud' > Song One: (set check mark)
macOS 11-12
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Preferences > iCloud > iCloud Drive: (set check mark)
  • Options > Song One > 'Apps that store documents on iCloud': (set check mark)
Make sure that you are signed into the same iCloud account on all devices:
iOS
  • Settings > Apple ID: User Name & Email
macOS 13 (or higher)
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Settings > Apple ID: User Name & Email
macOS 11-12
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Preferences > iCloud > Apple ID: User Name & Email
Make sure that you are online via WIFI or a cellular data plan (and Song One has permission to use them):
iOS
  • Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > Song One: On
Make sure that syncing is allowed (iCloud syncing may be disabled on devices managed by an educational institution):
iOS
  • Settings > General > Profile > "Documents in the cloud not allowed"
Make sure that there is sufficient storage space in your iCloud account and on your devices:
iOS
  • Settings > Apple ID > iCloud (top of the screen)
  • Settings > General > iPad/iPhone Storage
macOS 13 (or higher)
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Settings > User Name/Apple ID > iCloud (top of the screen)
  • Apple icon  (top left) > About This Mac > More Info > Storage
macOS 11-12
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Preferences > iCloud (bottom of the screen)
  • Apple icon  (top left) > About This Mac > Storage
Check the battery level of your mobile devices:
iOS automatically disables syncing in the low power mode.
Test iCloud syncing in the finder:
Attempt to sync a test file added to your iCloud folder on your Mac and the iCloud folder on your mobile device ('Files' app). If unsuccessful contact Apple support through this site.
AirDrop a test file from one device to another. (This may refresh your iCloud connection.)
Turn Song One's iCloud switch off, restart your devices and turn Song One's iCloud switch back on:
iOS
  • Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive: Off (restart) On
  • Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Song One: Off (restart) On
macOS 13 (or higher)
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Settings > User Name/Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive: Off (restart) On
  • Options > 'Apps that store documents on iCloud' > Song One: Off (restart) On
macOS 11-12
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Preferences > iCloud > iCloud Drive: Off (restart) On
  • Options > Song One > 'Apps that store documents on iCloud': Off (restart) On
Log out of your iCloud account, restart your device and log back in:
iOS
  • Settings > Apple ID (scroll to bottom): Sign out (restart) sign in
macOS 11-12
  • Apple icon  (top left) > System Preferences > iCloud : Sign out (restart) sign in
Contact Apple through this site.