WatchBlocks WikiSave & iCloud guide
WatchBlocks writes each saved world locally, then uses the player’s private iCloud database to move eligible worlds between Apple devices. Local saving and cloud synchronization are related, but they are not the same operation.
Local world saves
Saved worlds are stored as individual world files on the device. The game writes a complete encoded snapshot using an atomic file replacement, which helps prevent a partially written save from replacing the last complete copy.
- Important actions and leaving or pausing play can trigger an immediate save.
- Routine gameplay changes are collected and written without blocking the game screen.
- Full Access is required for saved worlds and custom worlds in the current release.
How iCloud world sync works
Each world has a persistent identity. When iCloud is available, WatchBlocks uploads the world to a private CloudKit record and fetches remote worlds into the local world list. Uploads are queued one at a time to limit overlapping work, and rapid updates to the same world can be combined before upload.
Use the same Apple Account on each device, leave iCloud Drive available, and give a recently played world time to finish syncing before opening it elsewhere.
Which copy wins?
WatchBlocks compares the world’s last-played time first, then its internal version when the timestamps match.
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| The iCloud copy is newer | The remote world replaces the older local copy. |
| The local copy is newer | The local world is kept and queued for upload. |
| Both copies match | The world is marked as synchronized. |
| A save conflict occurs during upload | The newer copy is kept. A newer local copy is refetched and retried; a newer server copy is merged locally. |
Deleting a world
Deleting a synchronized world creates an iCloud deletion marker so the removal can reach other devices. Treat deletion as permanent across the account. If a device is offline, it may show the world until it reconnects and receives that marker.
Understand sync messages
| Message | Meaning and response |
|---|---|
| Sign in to iCloud | Open device Settings and sign into the Apple Account used for your other WatchBlocks devices. |
| iCloud is busy / temporarily unavailable | Leave the connection active and try again later. Recoverable service and network failures are queued for retry. |
| iCloud storage is full | Free iCloud storage before expecting new world uploads to finish. |
| Sync is restricted | Check managed-device, parental, or account restrictions that may block iCloud. |
| Local worlds are newer | The device kept its newer copies and scheduled them for upload. |
| Updated worlds from iCloud | Newer remote copies were imported into the local world list. |
Safe cross-device habits
- Finish the session and return to a stable menu before switching devices.
- Keep the first device online briefly so its queued upload can complete.
- Open the world list on the second device and wait for iCloud refresh.
- Check the world’s name and last-played information before entering.
- If the expected update is missing, do not make competing edits. Check iCloud sign-in, storage, and connectivity first.