Q: itunes will not backup my iphone 6

Okay just to update all that my issue is finally resolved after my visit to Apple service center and I can successfully backup my phone to iTunes and iCloud.

Here is the run down to share:

• The staff at the service center was able to replicate my issue with the same error message of unable to backup to iTunes
• I was advised to backup all my photos to my laptop and use a 3rd party Apps (iDrive Online) to backup my contacts
• At the same time, I copied my critical Notes and noted all the Apps that I had installed on my iPhone
• Initially they were planning to give me a new replacement however the staff proceeded to do a "DFU reset"...according to them a Device Firmware Update first.
• Interestingly after this and setting up as New iPhone, the backup works perfectly on my laptop's iTunes without further errors for the 1st time!
• I proceeded to restore my contacts from iDrive Online Apps and sync the photos from my pictures photo using iTunes
• I was able to restore whatspps messages but unable to get back all my old SMSes (only downside).
• Proceeded to reinstall all the Apps I need on the phone.
• Backup again with no further errors!

Apparently, this looks more like a software issue and according to the staff might be related to files or apps in my previous iPhone5 that is not compatible with iOS8.x. On reflection, I should have backup my Notes to gmail and find another 3rd party Apps that can back up SMSes. My advice for you is to do all the necessary backup using these 3rd Party Apps and hop down to the service center. The staff told me that if the DFU reset does not work, they can then explore to do a new phone replacement.

Delighted to hear your good news!!! I do think you are right on this problem being a software issue.

After I restored my 6 Plus from new I could sometimes back to iCloud or computer once....before my problem kicked back in.

And now I can backup to computer (only - cannot backup to iCloud) as long as I don't include photos or ringtones (contacts seem to present no problem). Today is November 2 and your resolution occurred on November 1....are you sure you have permanent solution? You have done additional backups?

This is what I don't understand. My Plus after a restore as new failed to backup to the iCloud (4 times) with ONLY Apple's base apps loaded. I did decline when asked to setup Apple's iDrive since every Apple rep I spoke to said it would make matters worse. Are you using Apple's iDrive? Is that a possible solution?

Since my Plus fails to backup to iCloud before loading any photos or tones, It doesn't sound like your solution is applicable to my problem....or am I missing anything? I'm grateful for any insights.

Neither Apple's Genius Bar nor phone tech support has not solved my problem.

I Have similar problem.   It sounds like apple had to do a firmware update to phone to get it to back up.  If this is case, does not sound like Apple had bugs worked out.  This appears to be first positive info on what is going on with phone.  I purchased my phone from AT&T and we don't have an Apple Store.  Not sure where I will have to take phone to get fixed Assuming The firmware is the problem. 

You can call Apple Care phone support. If it's a hardware problem, Apple makes shipping easy but I doubt that it is.

Be sure you purchased their Apple Care + extended coverage....well worth the cost.

This week is too busy but next week I am going to tackle the problem again.

Although really hoping someone on the forum solves the problem first!! I keep wondering if the problem is related to iCloud Drive...which I have NOT enabled. Interested if others with this problem have or have not enabled Apple's new iCloud Drive on their devices.

Good Luck!!

I Have the same problem. I hope apple fixes this issue soon. I was up all night with apple care restarting and restarting and getting no where! btw I have iCloud Drive enabled. My iPhone 6 will not back up to iCloud or iTunes on my iMac. Very frustrating!

It is frustrating... I am on my 21st reset this month... I have bought ballons and a cake and The phone and I are having a party to celebrate.

I now schedule my life around when I want to add music to my phone. Well done Apple... you now are the centre of all our lives

If this isn't sorted out soon, I shall remove said items and applications and software from my life when I next upgrade and never return...Sony looks to be the best option...

Just read this off the Apple website...

Made me laugh...

"Apple designs the hardware and software to provide seamless integration of the iPhone and iPod with iTunes, the iTunes Store, and tens of thousands of apps on the App Store".

Really?

I'm also having a iPhone 6P, restored it from my old iPhone 4 backup and got stuck with this issue. The same issue I'm also having after numerous trials of fixes being discussed over the Web on this topic. Finally I feel I could narrow down the issue or at least one of the causes. On a windows7 m/c the location "C:\Users\kingsuk\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Logs\DeviceLink" contains a file AppleMobileBackup.exe.00. It's a text file & can be opened in notepad. It looks like the AppleMobileBackup.exe is facing an issue while reading/writing data from the iPhone. Can an experienced apple specialist have a look at this and suggest a fix ? If you delete the old copies of this file a new one gets created every time you start backing up in iTune. Reseting the phone from a DFU mode is not a viable solution as many of the apps are having old datasets which can't be restored if the apps are re-installed afresh from market place.

2014-11-15 08:40:19.527|AppleMobileBackup.exe|3640:4849072|SocketStreamHandler.c:_SocketLo gCallback| ERROR: SocketRecv (data): return of 0 bytes

2014-11-15 08:40:19.527|AppleMobileBackup.exe|3640:4849072|StreamHandler.c:_ReadFunc| ERROR: Error reading data: Can't read data

2014-11-15 08:40:19.527|AppleMobileBackup.exe|3640:4849072|DeviceLinkConnection.c:_DLHandl erThreadReadMessage| ERROR: Could not receive message: '(null)'

2014-11-15 08:40:19.543|AppleMobileBackup.exe|3640:61448272|SocketStreamHandler.c:_SocketL ogCallback| ERROR: SocketSend (data): error 2: No such file or directory

2014-11-15 08:40:19.543|AppleMobileBackup.exe|3640:61448272|StreamHandler.c:_WriteFunc| ERROR: Error sending data: Can't send data

2014-11-15 08:40:19.543|AppleMobileBackup.exe|3640:61448272|DeviceLinkConnection.c:_DLSend BytesAndDisconnectOnError| ERROR: Could not send data: 'Error writing data'

2014-11-15 08:40:19.558|AppleMobileBackup.exe|3640:4849072|DeviceLinkConnection.c:_DLMainT hreadMessagePortCallback| ERROR: Error creating components from read data: 'NULL data returned from read'

Thanks for more specific intel.

Hi just downloaded 8.1.1 with the crazy idea that there was a slim possibility that this backup error might be addressed

how silly of me

nice one apple

Any updates to this issue?  I've tired most everything in this thread, but still have the issue.  I want to upgrade to an iPhone 6, but won't until I can get a backup because I'm not going through the hassle of reinstalling everything. 

Here's a recent article I wrote about errors backing up and restoring in iTunes:

http://deciphertools.com/blog/2014_12_09_iphone_could_not_restore_disconnected/

The post itself references a slightly different error message, but the suggested fixes are good for all variations on this mess. If they don't work, I definitely want to add to my list, so let me know (either here or through the contact link in the article) and we'll keep exploring.

(Note: As I mentioned, I wrote the post I'm linking to. So, I stand to benefit, financially or otherwise, from the recommendations I'm making.)

I am having the same issue with my iPhone 5.

The error is:iTunes cannot back up the iPhone because an error occurred.  …

When I use iCloud it starts the backup and then  says: The last backup could not be completed.

I would like a solution that doesn't cause me to lose my text messages since my last backup. 

Any help would be appreciated.

We should check if you have a crash report for the backup process in your diagnostic logs. Assuming you're on iOS 8, go to the Settings app -> Privacy -> Diagnostics & Usage -> Diagnostic & Usage Data. Do you see any crash log files for things mentioning backup (like BackupAgent2)?

I appreciate the info.  The error I'm experiencing, however, is a little different than the phone disconnecting from iTunes.  I have tried everything you suggested with no luck in previous attempts to get my phone backed up though.  My local Genius Bar had never seen this before and had no luck either.