login not working on mac or iPAD, works on android, sync issues
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Noticed my last sync with Simplenote using nVALT and mac catalina was on 10 Nov 2025. Changed password on website, and on android devices and on mac devices (desktop running catalina and up-to-date iPADs). Mac devices do not recognise login details (or states cannot reach network when logging in – “we’re having problem, try again soon!”) and therefore do not login and sync. Android devices recognise login details and sync is fine. Is there a problem with mac and ipad OSes, or a glitch with Simplenote servers ?
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Hi. Are you using the Simplenote apps on Mac and iPad, or the app.simplenote.com web app in a browser?
Password changes sometimes require direct intervention from the hosts here.
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Simplenote website (https://app.simplenote.com/) with Firefox browser under mac catalina (10.15.7). – no problem logging in or changing password.
Simplenote app on iPAD (current iPADOS) – unable to to login to sync. – error: unable to access network – try again later
nVALT app on mac catalina (10.15.7) unable to login to sync. (no error message, just a red light)
Simplenote app on mac catalina desktop – unable to login – username or password not recognised
Simplenote apps on Android phone and tablets – no problems logging in and syncing.
app/mac.ipad vs. web/android/app – can’t login to sync vs. works fine
Hope that helps.
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Hmmm. I don’t know much about Mac, but I have years of experience on iPad. What is your iPadOS version (Settings, About), and what is the iPad Simplenote app version (Settings, About, inside the app)? There’s no known problem with the server, or with the current iPad app.
Your problem with the iPad sounds like it may actually not be able to access the network. Have you a blocker or other security device that may be preventing access? Are you able to reach the web app from iPadOS Safari?
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I now have access on all devices – narrowed down issues. Still no problems on Android devices.
Problem appears limited to using the Simplenote app on mac OS and iPADOS when using the username password option – the app logs in when using the code sent by the server. Again, I’ve tried code option and username/password in various combinations of devices , apps and OSes.
A) iMac 2019 running macOS Catalina 10.15.7
nVALT sync now okay – username and password recognised – trial note uploads and syncs across devices
Simplenote website access using Firefox – username and password recognised – code option also okay
Simplenote app v2.19 ©2025 – cannot login with username and using password – no option to ask for code (error – we’re having problems. Please try again soon)
B) iPAD MiniPad running iPADOS 15.8.3
on iPAD – Simplenote app v4.55 – login and sync now okay using code sent by Simplenote servers – problem continues with using username/password combination (error – we’re having trouble accessing the network. Please try again soon.)
on iPAD – Simplenote website using Safari – username and password recognised by website – code option also recognised for login.
Your help is much appreciated.
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Just to add – I don’t like the option of a code option sent to my email – I have partial visual impairments and juggling multiple devices or apps to read and copy a code is a pain.
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Based on what you’ve described:
- Your Simplenote Mac app is outdated. Please update it to version 2.21.
- macOS Catalina (10.15.7) and iPadOS 15.8.3 are both older versions. Updating to a more recent OS may resolve login issues.
If updating the app and OS doesn’t fix the problem, try the following:
- Connect your devices to a different network (e.g., mobile data) and attempt login again.
- Restart your Wi-Fi modem to get a new IP address from your ISP.
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- Unable to update SimpleNote Mac app to 2.21 because it requires macOS 12 and above.
- Updating OSes would require new hardware – major cost implications for a disabled person with limited income
- login using mobile data has the same result.
- IP change has the same result.
Unfortunately your answer does not address the issue of why only the macOS and iPADOs versions are affected, or how Simplenote developers support disabled persons, however indirectly. IP and change of network whilst using Android systems has no effect on login or code option.
Thank you for your expertise, I am looking at alternative solutions which do not require massive expenditure for continued access.
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Since the iPad app stays logged in, it seems like you have solved your problem using the one-time code. The problem with the Mac app is tougher, but you are able to access Simplenote in the browser, so that can be your solution there. If you don’t clear cookies, the browser will stay logged in for 14 days.
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Absolutely. The one-time code works, the login doesn’t. So I continue to have access.
Advice about cookies noted. I’ll see how it goes. nVALT logs in on the mac under 10.15.7, so I have access through nVALT. It’s just the SimpleNote mac app – and as you say, access through the browser is enabled.
Many thanks.
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