OneDrive File Issues

How to Sync OneNote Notebooks Between iPad and iPhone

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to sync OneNote notebooks stored in OneDrive across an iPad and an iPhone when they fail to appear automatically.

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: iOS and iPadOS
Scenario: Accessing and syncing existing OneDrive notebooks on a new iOS or iPadOS device.
Observed behavior: OneNote notebooks stored in OneDrive do not automatically populate in the OneNote mobile app on iPhone or iPad, requiring manual intervention.

Before you start

Ensure both your iPad and iPhone are connected to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular network, and have your Microsoft account credentials ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Open Notebooks from OneDrive in the OneNote App

Use this solution to manually locate and open notebooks stored in OneDrive, which establishes the initial sync on a new Apple device.

The OneNote mobile app does not always display every notebook in the default tab automatically. To save storage space and bandwidth, you are required to manually fetch the desired notebooks from OneDrive the first time you set up the app on an iPhone or iPad.

Open the Notebook list

Launch the OneNote app on your iPhone or iPad and navigate to the main Notebooks tab.

Select More Notebooks

Scroll to the bottom of your active notebook list and tap on the 'More Notebooks' option.

Browse OneDrive

Choose the 'Browse' option to view the directories associated with your Microsoft account.

Select and sync

Navigate through your OneDrive folders, select the specific notebooks you want to add, and open them. Once added this first time, all subsequent changes will sync automatically.

Sync Restored: You normally only need to perform this manual selection once per device. Future edits will sync automatically across your iPad and iPhone.

Solution 2

Verify Account Credentials and Update the OneNote App

If the notebooks do not appear in the 'Browse' section, verify that both devices are signed into the correct Microsoft account and running the latest app version.

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1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the Apple App Store on your iPhone and iPad.
2. Sign in to WPS Cloud: Create a free account or log in to enable WPS Cloud synchronization across your devices.
3. Enjoy seamless sync: Create or edit a document on your iPhone, and watch it instantly appear on your iPad without manual fetching.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Built-in WPS Cloud ensures your documents and notes are automatically synced across all your devices.Lightweight mobile application that uses minimal storage space on your iPhone and iPad.Free and intuitive interface that requires no learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my OneNote notebooks not appear automatically on a new device?

To conserve local storage and bandwidth, the OneNote mobile app for iOS does not automatically download every notebook stored in your OneDrive. You must manually browse your OneDrive via the 'More Notebooks' option to select and load them for the first time.

What should I do if the 'More Notebooks' option doesn't show my files?

First, verify that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account that holds the OneDrive files. If the account is correct, try signing out and signing back into the OneNote app to refresh the directory connection.

Can I access my OneNote notebooks offline on my iPad or iPhone?

Yes. Once you have manually added the notebooks from OneDrive and allowed them to sync completely, they are cached on your device. You can view and edit them offline, and changes will automatically upload to OneDrive once you reconnect to the internet.

How do I force a sync in OneNote for iOS?

You can force a sync by navigating to your notebooks list and pulling down on the screen until the loading spinner appears. Alternatively, go to the app Settings, select 'Sync', and choose 'Sync All'.

Document & File Issues