FK71
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Q: My iPhone 5 won't backup on iCloud

I currently use an iPhone 5 but I've recently purchased an iPhone 6. I've been attempting to set up the iPhone 6, but my first issue was that the software on the 6 wasn't up to date, so I had to set up the phone as 'New' before I could proceed. Having done that, I then attempted to restore a backup on my new phone, from my old one. However, the backup is quite outdated and doesn't include my latest documents and photos. I then attempted to do this via my PC, but with no results, oddly. Literally nothing was restored unto my new phone. Unfortunately, ever since updating to iOS 8, I've been unable to backup my phone on iCloud. I constantly get unreasonable estimates of time the process will take, before I get an error message notifying me that the backup could not complete, even though there clearly is adequate storage space on my iCloud account. I have however, been able to backup my phone to my PC, but none of my photos or apps actually backed up. I've read a ton of threads and posts on this site and other forums, but in practice, all have my attempts have been to no avail. There seems to be no real solution to my problem and I've tried everything that has been suggested by Apple and others. Everything on my phones seems to be in order, as far as I'm aware. Before the update, my phone used to backup automatically, when connected to my wi-fi and the cable, with no problem whatsoever. I'm not confidently suggesting that the cause or issue is the new iOS version, but the problem did start closely after. I would utterly appreciate it if anyone could provide a viable and effective solution, please. I'm really desperate. I really don't want to rely on my old backup or have to manually move everything from one device to the next. Please help!

iPhone 5, iOS 8.1.1

Posted on Dec 4, 2014 4:57 PM

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Q: My iPhone 5 won't backup on iCloud

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  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Dec 4, 2014 8:04 PM in response to FK71
    Level 9 (62,845 points)
    Dec 4, 2014 8:04 PM in response to FK71

    An inability to back up to iCloud may be caused by a corrupt existing backup that needs to be deleted, or by data on your device that is causing the backup to fail.  To troubleshoot these, try deleting your last iCloud backup (if you have one) by going to Settings>iCloud>Storage>Manage Storage, tap your device under Backups, then tap Delete Backup and choose Turn Off & Delete at the prompt.  Then go to Settings>iCloud>Backup and turn iCloud Backup back on and try backing up again.

     

    If it still won't back up, you may have an app or something in your camera roll that is causing the backup to fail.  To locate which one, go to Settings>iCloud>Storage>Manage Storage, tap the name of your device under Backups, under Backup Options tap Show All Apps, then turn them all to Off (including camera roll) and try backing up again.  If the backup is successful, then the camera roll and/or one of your apps is causing the backup to fail and you'll have to located by process of elimination. Turn the camera roll On and try backing up again.  If it succeeds, turn some of your apps to On and try backing up again.  If it succeeds again, turn some more apps to On then try again; repeat this process until it fails.  Eventually you'll be able to locate the problem app and exclude it from your backup.

     

    It may also be caused by network connectivity issues with the iCloud server.  Solutions to that include power-cycling your wireless router (unplugging it for 15 seconds, then plugging it back in), resetting network settings on your phone (in Settings>General>Reset), updating the firmware on your router, and changing the router's DNS settings to use Google's public DNS (see https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using) or set it in your iOS wifi settings and restart the device so the take effect (see http://osxdaily.com/2014/08/08/change-dns-settings-ios/).

     

    I'm not sure why you're having problems backing it up to your computer using iTunes.  The backup should include your app data and camera roll photos.  Other photos, such as photo stream photos, would need to be saved to the camera roll prior to backing up in order to be included.  The apps themselves are saved to your iTunes library and are synced to your phone when you restore the backup.  To back up your phone and transfer your apps and other purchased media to your iTunes library, connect the phone to your computer, launch iTunes, then go to File>Devices>Back Up, and agree to back up apps and transfer purchases if prompted (or force it by going to File>Devices>Transfer Purchases).

  • by Vickipyrett ,

    Vickipyrett Vickipyrett Dec 4, 2014 9:33 PM in response to randers4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2014 9:33 PM in response to randers4

    i am having the same issue kinda. I got my music and pictures but not my contacts. Any suggestions?

  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Dec 4, 2014 9:36 PM in response to Vickipyrett
    Level 9 (62,845 points)
    Dec 4, 2014 9:36 PM in response to Vickipyrett

    If you're trying to restore contacts from an iCloud backup it isn't supported by Apple, but can be done.  You have to follow the process outlined here: Recovering deleted iCloud contacts from an iCloud backup.

  • by Vickipyrett ,

    Vickipyrett Vickipyrett Dec 4, 2014 9:39 PM in response to randers4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2014 9:39 PM in response to randers4

    Thank you I hope it works. Had issues with phone they sent me a new one and contacts are not three. Tried restoring the new phone but it never asked if I wanted the new restore.  Grrr

  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Dec 4, 2014 9:42 PM in response to Vickipyrett
    Level 9 (62,845 points)
    Dec 4, 2014 9:42 PM in response to Vickipyrett

    You're welcome.  Just be sure to disconnect the wifi connection right after your device restarts during the restore process.  You can do this by pulling the plug on your wifi router, disconnecting the WAN port on your wifi router, or by putting your device in airplane mode.

  • by Vickipyrett ,

    Vickipyrett Vickipyrett Dec 4, 2014 9:43 PM in response to Vickipyrett
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2014 9:43 PM in response to Vickipyrett

    I Am trying to get my contacts off of my old phone and put them into iCloud drive but it won't download them to be able to even try to put them on my new phone

  • by Vickipyrett ,

    Vickipyrett Vickipyrett Dec 4, 2014 9:45 PM in response to Vickipyrett
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2014 9:45 PM in response to Vickipyrett

    TThank you for telling me that cuz I was just going to hit buttons