To sync OneNote notebooks across devices, store your notebook in OneDrive and open that same notebook with an account that can access it on each device. Automatic synchronization is the default in current desktop apps and OneNote for the web. You can also request a manual update using the controls for your device.
The short version
- Same notebook: Open the same OneDrive notebook on every device you want to use.
- Windows setup: Open File > Options > Sync and check Sync notebooks automatically.
- Manual updates: Use your device’s notebook sync command to request an update.
- Different accounts: Share the notebook with editing access so both accounts can update it.
| Device | Manual sync or access method | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | File > Info > View Sync Status | One notebook or all notebooks |
| Mac | File > Sync This Notebook or Sync All Notebooks | One notebook or all open notebooks |
| iPhone and iPad | Tap More Notebooks, then select the notebook | Opens the cloud notebook |
| Android | Long-press a notebook, then tap Sync | One notebook |
| Browser | Open the notebook through OneDrive | Automatic synchronization in OneNote for the web |
Put your notebook in OneDrive
If your notebook is stored locally in OneNote for Microsoft 365 on Windows, open it and select File > Save a Copy, choose a OneDrive folder (or select Browse to find one), enter a notebook name, and select Save. In OneNote 2016 through 2024, select File > Share and choose the OneDrive you want to move the notebook to. You can then open that cloud notebook on your other devices using an account that owns it or already has access.
When your devices use different accounts, share the notebook with the other account using the sharing steps below. Opening the same shared notebook lets both accounts work with its contents, while transferring a copy creates a separate notebook.
If you need the mobile app, open Microsoft’s OneNote product page and select Download for mobile for iOS or Android. You can also select Sign in there for online access.
Open and sync the notebook on Windows
In current OneNote for Windows, sign in with an account that can access the notebook, then select File > Open. Under Open from OneDrive, select your notebook. You can also find it through Recent Notebooks or Open from other locations, then repeat on your other Windows computers.
Next, select File > Options > Sync and check Sync notebooks automatically. These steps apply to current Windows desktop OneNote, including Microsoft 365 and OneNote 2024.
For a manual update, select File > Info > View Sync Status. Select Sync Now beside the notebook you want to update, or select Sync All to update all of your shared notebooks. You can also right-click a notebook’s name and select Sync this Notebook.
The retired app named OneNote for Windows 10 is read-only and no longer supports syncing. Install current OneNote from Microsoft’s OneNote Store page, launch it, and sign in to the accounts containing your notebooks.
Sync your notebook on a Mac
On your Mac, expand the notebook list in OneNote. Hold Control and click the notebook you want to update, then select Sync This Notebook.
The menu bar gives you another route: select File > Sync This Notebook. To update all open notebooks, select File > Sync All Notebooks instead. These commands let you request an update while automatic synchronization remains the default.
Open and sync notebooks on iPhone or iPad
Sign in to OneNote with the notebook’s OneDrive account. Tap More Notebooks, then select the notebook you want to open.
For a large notebook, you can reduce the initial synchronization load by changing attachment syncing. Open a notebook, then tap ... > Settings > Sync and turn off Auto Sync Attachments.
Cellular access must be enabled for OneNote to sync away from Wi-Fi. On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular and locate OneNote under Cellular Data; on a cellular-capable iPad, open Settings > Cellular Data and locate OneNote. Turn its switch on for cellular access or off for Wi-Fi-only syncing. Wi-Fi-only iPads do not have this cellular control.
Sync notebooks on Android
From the OneNote home screen, open Notebooks. Long-press the notebook you want to update, then tap Sync in the upper-right corner.
For all notebooks on an Android phone, tap Notebooks > More options > Settings > Sync all. Navigation varies between Android interfaces, so if that menu does not match your app, use the long-press notebook method to update notebooks individually.
To limit syncing to Wi-Fi on Android phones, tap Notebooks > More options > Sync Notebooks on Wifi only. This control also belongs to the menu layout that varies between interfaces. If your layout differs, you can still use the individual-notebook command to request an update while connected to Wi-Fi; the connection preference is controlled by Sync Notebooks on Wifi only.
Open the cloud notebook in a browser
Sign in to OneDrive with the notebook’s account, find the notebook in its folder, and open it in OneNote for the web. Automatic synchronization is the default in the web app.
On a Mac, select Open in OneNote in OneNote for the web to open the notebook in the installed app. You can also locate cloud notebooks through the OneDrive apps for Mac and iOS.
Share a notebook with another account
If another device uses a different account, give that account access to the existing notebook. On Windows or the web, select Share > Share Entire Notebook, enter the other account, choose editing access, and select Send. Open the invitation on the other device. Alternatively, select Share > Copy Link to Notebook, use Link settings to make sure the link allows editing, then select Copy link and open the link there.
On Mac, select File > Share, enter the other account, and choose Can Edit before sending the invitation. On iPhone or iPad, tap Share > Invite People to Notebook. You can also use Copy Link to Notebook > View and Edit on iOS and open that link on the other device.
You can’t share a notebook from OneNote for Android. Microsoft directs you to OneNote on a PC, Mac, or the web to share a notebook, so create the invitation there.
Fix notebooks that stop syncing
For an authentication-related sync failure, select the sync-error message at the top of OneNote. If it requests authentication, sign in with the account authorized to access the notebook. This applies to authentication errors including 0xE0000024.
For a refresh or offline error that offers Refresh Now, select that button. In an editable Windows notebook displaying a refresh prompt, select the yellow InfoBar. These refresh actions apply to the corresponding error prompts, including E000006C/cig68.
If a Windows notebook still needs its synchronization reset, back up unsynced notes before closing it to preserve changes that have not reached the cloud. Select File > Info, copy the notebook URL, then select that notebook’s Settings > Close. Open the copied URL in a browser and select Open in Desktop App to reopen it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What keyboard shortcuts sync OneNote notebooks?
In Windows desktop OneNote, press Shift + F9 to sync the current notebook or F9 for all shared notebooks. On Mac, press Command + S for the current notebook or Command + Shift + S for all notebooks.
Why can I open a shared notebook but not upload changes?
Your account may need editing permission. The owner can open OneDrive, right-click the notebook, and select Share > Manage Access. Under People, select the affected account and choose Can Edit; for link access, select the link’s gear icon under Links and choose Can Edit.
What should I do if only one section will not sync?
In Windows desktop OneNote, create another section, then right-click the affected pages and use Move or Copy to copy them into it. Press Shift + F9 to sync the notebook. Preserve the original pages until the copies synchronize.
How can I recover unsynced notes after moving from OneNote for Windows 10?
After migration, open current OneNote and select File > Options > Save & Backup. Locate Backup Folder in File Explorer and open each required .one file. Use Move or Copy to place its section in a cloud notebook.
Can I transfer a work or school notebook to a personal account?
On Windows, select the source notebook, then select File > Save a Copy and choose your personal OneDrive as the destination. Name the copy and select Save. On Mac, sign in to both accounts, right-click a source section, and select Copy Section To... to copy it into the personal cloud notebook. These operations create separate copies, without continuing synchronization between the original and destination accounts.
How do I restore Mac backups into a notebook that can sync?
Select OneNote > Preferences > Backups > Back Up All Notebooks Now, then select File > Open Backups. Open the required sections, hold Shift while clicking to select them, and drag them into a notebook in personal OneDrive.
Why does a work notebook open in the browser but not sync in the desktop app?
For notebooks hosted in SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business, your organization may restrict unmanaged devices. Ask IT to inspect SharePoint admin center > Access control > Unmanaged devices: Block access prevents access, while Allow limited, web-only access prevents desktop-app access and file syncing. An administrator can review Allow Full Access or provide an approved managed device. Site restrictions can also come from Conditional Access and sensitivity labels.
Can I remove OneNote for Windows 10 after migrating?
Uninstalling the retired app deletes its local data, so first verify that all notes, including recovered edits, appear in current OneNote or the web. On Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find OneNote for Windows 10, then select ... > Uninstall. This removes the old app; it does not synchronize notebooks.
