Q: iCloud "Backup Now" missing

To be clear, the full path to find Backup Now is

Settings > iCloud > Backup > Backup Now

The Backup Now option does not appear if the setting at the location that LACAllen  posted is turned OFF. You have to turn it ON first.

Otherwise, give us more detail to work with.

So we are sure we are still talking about the same thing, here are screen shots of what you should see.

First, turn BACKUP itself ON

Then after that, you should see the BACKUP NOW option. If not, I would suggest a hard restart and/or a reset all settings, in that order.

Hard restart is Home button and sleep/wake button together for 7-10 seconds.

Then  Settings > General > Reset  > Reset All Settings

It's not Settings > iCloud > Backup Now,

It's Settings > iCloud > Backup > iCloud Backup ON > then the Backup Now option appears.

You need to import photos to your computer and/or enable iCloud Photo Library. Only the newest images in your Camera Roll are part of the backup.

About backups in iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support

Backups and iCloud Drive are not the same thing.

Data backed up is not viewable in iCloud Drive. Data backed up is only usable for restoring a device after erasing it.

iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support

iCloud is similar to Dropbox, but not identical. Regardless, it is not associated with iCloud or iTunes backups at all.

Did you read the article from the link I sent?

It has value for syncing various document types between devices.

Backing up means making a data archive of content data on your device.

What do you expect iCloud to do that it doesn't? I think your interpretation of backup is different from what a backup actually is. A phone backup is not meant to be a "live" place where you view, update and interact with documents. That is what is called syncing, which is what most of iCloud's services do.

Maybe if you tell us what you want to do, we can help.

That's exactly what iCloud Drive does for PDFs. iBooks are synced via iTunes & App Store. No need for iCloud drive.

Sync iBooks between your Mac and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

If you have PDFs you want on your device, copy them to the iCloud drive on your PC or Mac using the iCloud Drive folder. Then, on your device, go to the iCloud Drive icon, select the PDF, click on the little "share" icon and choose Copy to iBooks.

tap on SHARE icon

choose Copy to iBooks

Still can't find backup now, I hate getting new phones.

The path has not changed since LACAllen posted it (Apple Recommended Post). Where is it that you are running into issues?

What iOS are you running?

You are signed in to iCloud under Settings>iCloud, correct (just checking......)?

Cheers,

GB