Skip to main content
Your notes sync automatically between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Create a note on one device and it appears on the others.

Refresh Manually

If you want to check for the latest changes right away:

iPhone and iPad

Pull down on your notes list to refresh.

Mac

1

Keyboard shortcut

Press ⌘ + R
2

Menu bar

Click File > Refresh

When Does Syncing Happen?

Opening the App

Your notes open right away, then refresh

After Changes

Any edit or new note syncs right away

In the Background

Cleft checks for updates while the app is open

Going Offline

Your notes stay readable when you lose your connection, with nothing to turn on before a flight or a commute. Cleft keeps every note you’ve opened or scrolled past on this device, and prepares more of your library on its own when you’re on Wi-Fi. See Using Cleft Offline. When your list comes from this device, a short line at the top of the list says how fresh it is. It says whether Cleft is checking, you’re offline, the check didn’t finish, or you’re seeing saved notes. When the line offers Try Again, choose it to check now.

Auto-Export to a Folder

Cleft can save every note to a folder on your device as a Markdown file (useful if you work with apps like Obsidian, NotePlan, Logseq, or any tool that reads from a folder). As of v1.14.0, this is free on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
  1. Open Cleft and go to Settings → Local Export
  2. Free users get Cleft’s own Cleft Notes folder out of the box. Cleft Plus lets you point exports at any folder you choose (your Obsidian vault, NotePlan project, etc.)
  3. New notes appear there automatically, including ones that arrived via cross-device sync
  4. Use Save existing notes as files if you want to backfill notes that were already in Cleft
See Local Export for the full setup, the file format, and per-app tips for Obsidian, NotePlan, Logseq, Drafts, and Bear.
  • You need an internet connection for syncing
  • After editing on one device, give it a moment before opening the same note elsewhere
  • Many preferences sync through iCloud, including theme, note style, copy format, note language, writing rules, Notion auto-send, and Local Export on/off choices
  • Folder permissions and device permissions are still configured per device
  • If something looks out of date, try a manual refresh
Last modified on November 9, 2026