User profile for user: Lamma Mac
Lamma Mac Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

How do I resolve constant Apple ID prompts and missing Notes in macOS Catalina 10.15.7?

Similar problem described in the discussion Constantly being asked for Apple ID in ma… - Apple Community

  • I’ve tried to sign out of iCloud several times,
  • disable find my Mac
  • keychain app > preferences > reset my default keychains


in System preferences > iCloud > I can’t enable keychain!!

After clicking there, the thick appears gray and I’m asked for Apple ID password, then login pass for the Mac, then from another device and the loop starts. Eventually, the thick goes away.


My notes on the Notes App disappeared as well.

This is extremely disappointing as the notes app is my main app for personal and work notes, plans, todos, etc.


I have the latest Catalina available for my Mac: 10.15.7

Otherwise, the laptop is perfectly fine. Which brings me to another disappointment of making computers and the safari obsolete just after a decade. Firefox is still providing updates…


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 25, 2025 8:18 AM

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User profile for user: tygb
tygb
User level: Level 9
64,848 points

Mar 26, 2025 1:46 AM in response to Lamma Mac


In Mac OS catalina if an error shows some account services will not be available until you sign in again ( update Apple ID settings ) .

Open system preferences , click on Apple ID icon and again click on iCloud in the side bar , it prompts to enter the Apple ID and password ( enter the password ) , after that a pop up window appears to upgrade with 2FA , click on continue , the circle in front of keychain box started rotating setting up , after a while it prompted to enter the admin password and finally the box of keychain will get checked the small circle rotating in front of keychain setting up will disappear ,

You have to convert secondary authentication account to 2FA , the error will go away .

If the trusted number is not yet added verify it , click on name , password , email in the side bar , click on edit see these articles .


Change your Apple ID information


Change Internet Accounts preferences on Mac - Apple Supportsupport.apple.com › en-in › guide › mac-help › Mac


Change Overview preferences for your Apple ID on Mac ...support.apple.com › en-in › guide › mac-help › Mac


Change Password & Security preferences for your Apple ID on Mac


Change Payment & Shipping preferences for your Apple ID on Mac


Change Media & Purchases preferences for your Apple ID on ...support.apple.com › en-in › guide › mac-help




Click on details in front of find my Mac in last screen shot Set up Find My on Mac - Apple Support

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User profile for user: tygb
tygb
User level: Level 9
64,848 points

Mar 26, 2025 10:44 AM in response to Lamma Mac

When 2FA is turned on in Mac , the keychain box is checked or not doesn't make any sense as secondary authentication account is disabled , however you are changing Apple ID password from another iPhone , this Apple ID password has to be updated on Mac What to do after you've changed your Apple ID or password - Apple Support , why don't you disable passcode Use a passcode with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch - Apple Support for the time being from iPhone and cross check what happens .

Regarding notes app if they are crashing , for what reason do you use third party apps / softwares / vpn services in Mac , if its yes uninstall all of them .




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User profile for user: Lamma Mac
Lamma Mac Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Mar 26, 2025 8:58 AM in response to tygb

Thank you TYGB for your detailed reply.


To force the mac to really be signed in to Apple ID, earlier today I changed the Apple ID password on another device and explicit chose for the other devices to log out.


I tried (system preferences > Apple ID > iCloud) and didn’t get any Apple ID password. It displayed the apps I’m using. I guess this means that the system is already authenticated. I have the 2FA on. I’ve just check it again.


→ I tried again to enable ‘keychain’, under iCloud side bar, entered the password for the Apple ID and passcode from another device, then was asked the Apple ID pass again.... After a while the thick becomes disabled. :-(


While I have that message on the “overview” side bar — “Update Adler ID Settings; Some account services will not be available until you sign in again.” — Clicking on “Continue” don’t led to any pop-up or messages. No request to “Upgrade Your Account Security”..


I suspect that there is some conflicting iCloud service that works on more recent devices (iPhone, iPad) but doesn't work on this old Mac with Catalina. Instead of having an option to disable that service on the Mac the whole sync breaks somewhere... or then it is something weird with keychain, but I haven't touched it for years besides saving password via Safari. This potentially conflict with an icloud service might have had an impact (damage??) to keychain. Perhaps.


I wish there would be a good diagnostics tool for Mac devices and services... with all that data on the console, it's peculiar that Apple doesn't have such a thing when one contacts support.

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User profile for user: Lamma Mac
Lamma Mac Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Mar 26, 2025 9:18 AM in response to Lamma Mac

by the way, while Notes app didn't show any note, I left it open for a while, hoping that it would synchronise at some point... after a lonnnnngggg while (an hour? more? I don't remember), the app crashed and when I re-open Notes again, all the notes started to appear :) That's a good crash, I'd say!


I seem that the only thing not synching is the keychain. Safari bookmarks sync.

I've disabled services I didn't need to simplify potential sync errors (Find my mac, stocks, home, Siri, Contact, Calendars)

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How do I resolve constant Apple ID prompts and missing Notes in macOS Catalina 10.15.7?

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