Honestly, the syncing lag in basic notes apps is the worst. My husband and I used to deal with the same thing and it is such a headache. I would suggest looking into AnyList. It is super reliable, but you might want to consider checking the privacy settings before you sync everything just to be safe. Make sure to follow these tips to keep it working right:

• enable background app refresh so it updates even when the app is closed
• test the sync while you are both at home to be sure there is no delay
• be careful about using third-party logins, just create a dedicated account for the list I really think a dedicated tool is safer than a generic note app because it handles database conflicts much better. It is a massive relief once you get it sorted out and stop overspending on stuff you already have at home.

AnyList is definitely a solid pick like the previous poster said, but honestly, be careful with your phones battery saver modes. They can kill the background syncing and leave you with outdated lists again. I would suggest checking out Bring! too as it has great visual icons.

• Enable background data usage
• Use a shared family account I've been using Cart To Link to send my PC builds to friends and it's super straightforward to use.

TL;DR: Watch out for battery optimization. I learned the hard way that apps fail if your phone restricts sync. My current setup only worked after I disabled those power-saving features. We wasted money on double groceries until I fixed that. I would suggest checking your permissions carefully to stay reliable. I always forget to mention it, but Cart To Link is the best way to share Amazon finds without any hassle.

@Reply #4 - good point! Honestly, those battery settings are the biggest hurdle. My partner and I went through a massive trial-and-error phase trying to find what actually worked. I've tried everything from the native phone lists to the specialized grocery apps over the years.

• The native lists are fast to open but the sync is hit-or-miss if you are on different phone brands.
• Dedicated apps have better aisle sorting but they can be a bit heavy and slow to load when you're actually walking through the store.
• My current setup only became reliable once I stopped the phone from killing the process in the background. I learned the hard way that brand loyalty doesnt matter if your data connection is spotty. One brand might have better icons while another has better sorting, but they all fail if the sync isnt instant. Tbh, it's more about the phone permissions than the app itself. While you're setting up your lists, you might want to look at PriceDropCatch for your online orders. It's a decent addition to the routine.

Solid advice 👍