iTunes could not back up iphone because the backup could not be saved...

Budsimrin, you da man! gracias, amigo! Worked like a champ! ➕😎

I was getting the "iTunes could not backup the iphone because the backup could not be saved on the computer" error when trying to sync or manual backup to a Windows XP machine.

I tried the following but was still getting the error:

Deleted all backups listed in iTunes:

iTunes > Edit > Preferences

Select Devices.

Select the device backup to delete.

Click Delete Backup. iTunes will ask if you are sure you want to delete the backup. Click Delete Backup.

Click OK.

Manually deleted all folders in:

\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

My Resolution:

The issue ended up being low disk space on my Hard Drive. I free'd up some space on my C: and my sync/back ups now work again.

Thanks! This solved my problem!

Sure wish this were my problem. I have NO pictures in the iphone presently and I still cant get the phone to back itself up.

As others have tried, I have deleted all photos, Back-ups (both in the Itunes and Mobilesync folder) and cannot get it to sync. Any other thoughts. 3GS on windows XP - Version 4.3.4. I cannot understand how it can sync yesterday and today not work...

As erikfromdublin, I have also deleted all photos, Back-ups (both in the Itunes and Mobilesync folder) and cannot get it to sync.

Any ideas or possible help from Apple?

Hey All... Update ! ! ! My problem is now resolved

I found that the more I did to try to resolve my issue the closer I came to losing all of my movies, music, and podcasts - not to mention my contacts....... So. There is another discussion on the forum about my iPhone 4 not backing up to iTunes version 10. The final solution was to follow the instructions to REMOVE all Apple Software using the procedure shown in this support area. Its not just iTunes that needs to be removed..... all apple software needs to be COMPLETELY removed. (I also deleted the backup folder as discussed above.)

Then, once you have successfully removed all APPLE software, you install iTunes from scratch. After the installation, plug in your iPhone and TRANSFER all purchases to iTunes. Then do a right click on your iPhone and perform a backup. The sync should not actually move anything because none of the options are checked. Once you are sure that you have all of your "stuff" in itunes, you will go to your iPhone tabs and start checking off to sync your contacts, music, movies, podcasts, books, etc.... Each time you do this you will get a warning about erasing all on your iphone and replacing it with whats in your new iTunes account. As long as you are sure that everying is showing properly in the iTunes list, click on the APPLY button and then Sync *if it doesn't already start).

Backup and full sync works for me now......

It seems like a solid SHOTGUN resoluton (since we dont really know which part of the APPLE software suite became corrupted), however it worked for me. Hope it does for you, too.

R

Deleting ALL Apple Software and re-installing iTunes from Scratch did not help me at all. 😟

Any other possible solutions?

I would suggest that you try to install iTunes on another computer that has never had the APPLE software installed and then see if you can sync. If not, then I would surmise that the problem is in the device itself. If so, you may need to either do a HARD reset back to factory settings (which will definitely erase everything on it) and go through the steps as if you had a NEW device.

Or

Go to an Apple store and discuss the issue with them. They might just exchange it for a refurb working device (make sure that if they exchange it, they move all your "stuff" to the new one. Otherwise, everything on the old phone is abviously LOST).

FtWorthRider first of all thanks for your reply.

I installed a fresh iTunes on my father's laptop, copied my library to an external HDD and managed to back-up and sync the iPhone via that computer. That was OK; but it is only a temporary solution.

This reveals that the problem is related with Apple Software.

I hope Apple discovers this issue and fixes it in the new iTunes and so I will be back using my own laptop for syncing my iPhone.

i have and notebook LG and my iphone 4 werent backing up at all ... i eased all my apple stuff just go to

- control panel

- add or remove programs

- erase everything from apple including itunes

- then restart you computer

- reinstall itunes from scratch

- and after it try to back up u iphone again

.. it work for me good luck 🙂

I am having the exact same problem. Just started yesterday. I am running a 3GS on a new Dell XPX laptop with Windows 7. I've deleted backup, uninstalled virus software, uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes, reset permissions on the backup folders - nothing is working. Beyond frustrating.

Ideas anyone?

O.K., Here how I figured out to manage with the problem. The same solution with the previous one actually.

From the control panel or any uninstaller Program (Better for cleaning registery values) Uninstall ALL Apple Software. This includes:

Apple Application Support

Apple Mobile Device Support

Apple Software Update

Bonjour

iTunes

Quicktime

Do not miss ANY Apple Software, this is the key point.

After Uninstalling, make sure to have a system registery scan using CCleaner and some other more detailed software like TuneUp Utilities. This is important for cleaning software traces from windows.

After doing all this, a system restart is a MUST too to erase traces again.

After a clean restart install itunes from the file previously downloaded from FileHippo or any setup file.

You are good to go to back up and sync your device now.

Cheers! 🙂

Worked gr8 for me , thanka lot for all the replies to the thread

ONURDOGU

Thanks very much. I'd tried all the other suggestions without success. I did exactly what you said and it worked.

I had this problem which prevented synching of my iPhone 3GS, my iPad and my wife's iPhone 3GS. I use a Windows PC. Not sure if my comments apply to those using Mac computers.

Two things I would add. First, I believe that I caused the problem, whilst doing a synch on my iPhone I noticed that a podcast I'd already listened to was synching and I tried (foolishly) to stop it whilst iTunes was trying to synch. I suspect that I corrupted the file - much in the way other people suspected that corrupt photo files on their iPhones might be the problem.

Second. When I followed onurdogu's instructions and got to to the point of restarting the computer that's exactly what I did - "Restart". My PC closed down then did not restart, it simply hung with a black screen. You can imagine that I was quite worried given that I had done a registry clean and thought that I may have deleted something I shouldn't. Anyway, I forced the PC to switch off by pressing and holding the power button. Then I waited 15 seconds and started the PC. It worked well from there and within minutes I was up and running with all iTunes downloded from the Apple website. So if I might offer a suggestion; instead of clicking restart "Turn Off" instead then start up the PC all over.

Best wishes,

Mick Perry