HyFlow
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Sync & Backup

Turning iCloud off

Please read this order through before you turn it off

You may not want things going up to iCloud, or storage or data usage may be a burden. Whatever the reason, there is something to know before turning HyFlow's iCloud off.

Turning iCloud off makes the notes on this device disappear. Unlike Apple's own apps, that screen gives you no warning about it. Please read the order below before you do.

Which of these two are you after

Turning it off leaves your iCloud storage just as full. Turning off and clearing out are different things.

  1. 1I just want sync to stop. See If you only want sync to stop below
  2. 2I am short on iCloud storage and want it cleared. See If you also want the iCloud storage back

If you only want sync to stop

The three steps are one set. Doing only step 2 leaves you with the notes gone.

  1. 1Make a backup file first. Create one from Settings > Backup & Restore > Create New Backup, then keep a copy off the device too — in the Files app or on a computer
  2. 2Turn HyFlow off in iCloud. Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Saved to iCloud > See All > HyFlow. This is the step where the notes on this device disappear. Do not be alarmed, carry straight on to step 3
  3. 3Restore the backup from step 1. In HyFlow, use Settings > Backup & Restore > Restore from Another File… and pick that file

Sync will not run after this, so make a backup regularly and keep it off the device. If you lose the device, that backup is the only copy.

This way, what already went up to iCloud stays there and keeps taking up space. If storage is what you are after, see below.

If you also want the iCloud storage back

This is for those who came here after a storage warning. The six steps are one set. Stopping partway can leave your records gone and the storage still taken.

Clearing photos or old device backups first is covered in I am out of iCloud storage. That is a far lighter step, so it is worth reading that one first.

Before you start, make sure the backup file from step 1 is off the device. There is no undoing step 2 onward, and deleting the app takes the backups inside it with it.

  1. 1Make a backup file and move it off the device. Create one from Settings > Backup & Restore > Create New Backup, then send it to the `Files` app or a computer. This time, keeping it off the device is not optional
  2. 2Delete HyFlow's data from iCloud. In Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Storage, find HyFlow and tap Delete Data. This is where the iCloud storage is reclaimed. The notes on this device go too
  3. 3Turn HyFlow off in iCloud. Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Saved to iCloud > See All > HyFlow. This is what keeps the restore in step 6 from going straight back up to iCloud
  4. 4Delete the app. This also clears the photos, attachments and old sync records left on the device
  5. 5Install the app again. Before you open it, check once more that step 3 is still off
  6. 6Restore the backup from step 1. Use Settings > Backup & Restore > Restore from Another File… and pick that file

HyFlow may appear on more than one line. If the name shows up two or three times in the Storage list, delete every one of them. Notes, Flow and anniversaries are each held in a separate box. Deleting only one leaves the rest of the storage taken.

Do not open the app between steps 2 and 3. iCloud is still on at that point, so opening it can send what is left straight back up.

If you do not mind the space used on the device, you can skip steps 4 and 5. The iCloud storage is already reclaimed in step 2. What stays behind is the original photos on the device and the old sync records.

Before you delete the app

  1. 1The backup files inside the app go with it. That is why step 1 moves one off the device
  2. 2App settings and widget layouts are reset. You will need to set them up again after reinstalling
  3. 3Permissions such as notifications and location have to be granted again
  4. 4Your purchase stays as it is. If paid features look locked after reinstalling, see I bought it but paid features are locked
  5. 5Events and reminders are not affected. iOS Calendar manages those, so deleting the app leaves them untouched

Do not switch it off and on repeatedly

Turning it back on merges what was left in iCloud with what is on the device now. Nothing is overwritten, but you can end up with two copies of the same note.

Turning it back on also sends the device's contents up again, taking up the space once more.

Beyond duplicates, things can go wrong in ways that are hard to predict. Sync is built on the assumption that it stays on and keeps running, so it has no way of knowing about differences that arose while it was off.

Unless you really have to, do not switch it off and on.

If you already turned it off and the notes are gone

It can still be undone. Do not delete or reinstall the app — try this first.

Turn `Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Saved to iCloud > See All > HyFlow` back on. The notes held in iCloud come back down to the device. It takes a while if there are many.

If you also used `Delete Data` under Storage, the iCloud copy is gone too and there is nothing left to come down. Restoring from a backup file is then the only way.

If you are not sure which happened, tell us through Contact Support below. Just say which screen you were on and what you tapped, and we will check it.

Still stuck? Let us know and we'll help.

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