Brave iOS Not Syncing, 2025 Revival

Description of the issue:

Brave syncing on iOS quit working for me today, just like it did for @parkernathan in December 2021. I noticed this when some bookmarks I deleted on my PC were still on my iPhone. The QR code method hangs after scanning, and I get an “Unable to Connect” message if I try to use the code words.

How can this issue be reproduced?

  1. Open Brave on iOS.
  2. From the 3-dot menu (…) in the lower right corner, open Settings.
  3. From the Settings menu, select Sync.
  4. Try to join an existing sync chain, using either a QR code or code words from another device.

Expected result:

My iOS device should join the sync chain without any issue.

Brave Version (check About Brave):

1.74 (49)

Mobile Device details

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18.3

Additional Information:

I set up my iPhone 16 Pro by directly transferring all apps and content from my previous iPhone using Quick Start. Sync was working until today. I tried removing my iPhone 16 Pro from the sync chain on my PC, but that did not allow the iPhone to join the sync chain. I have not yet tried uninstalling Brave, reinstalling, and then setting up the sync chain again. If the sync service is working fine for other people with iOS devices, I would be more likely to try this procedure.

EDIT: Users in this 218-post thread from November 2021 through October 2022 say that uninstalling and reinstalling the app doesn’t fix the problem.

EDIT 2: Today (January 30, 2025), I was able to make my iPhone 16 Pro join my established sync chain via a QR code displayed on my PC.