Cannot log into Drafts Web Capture from Chrome Version 139.0.7258.66 (Official Build) (x86_64)

I am unable to log into Drafts Web Capture on my Mac Mini using Chrome. I works fine with Safari, but Chrome is my default as it is the basis for much of my workflow. I can log in on my Macbook Pro and Macbook Air.

In the Chrome console, I am seeing some failures with respect to cloudkit, notably a 421 (Misdirected Request) error for https://api.apple-cloudkit.com/database/1/iCloud.com.agiletortoise.Drafts5/production/public/users/caller?ckjsBuildVersion=2420ProjectDev22&ckjsVersion=2.6.4&clientId=IIIIIIII&ckAPIToken=XXXXXX

This Mini is running Drafts v47.2 (573).

I have done the usual re-install/reboot of Drafts.app, Google Chrome, cleared cookies, caches, local storage, and it never seems to log in.

I have looked at Drafts Capture not working on Mac but that never seems to have been resolved, and involved Safari, not Chrome.

I was just able to login successfully here using the same Chrome version.

I guess the normal troubleshooting questions:

  • What extensions do you have installed, and if you disable them does it still occur?
  • Is this a corporate device that may have security policies that limit or block iCloud access?
  • Same as above, but regarding the network you are connected to.

I’ve run into something similar before, and in my case it was caused by a Chrome extension interfering with iCloud authentication. You might try testing in Chrome’s Incognito mode (with all extensions disabled) to see if it works there. If it does, then re-enable extensions one by one to find the culprit. Also worth checking if any firewall or network security settings on the Mac Mini could be blocking Apple’s CloudKit endpoints.