how to fix corrupted iphone backup without losing all data

jimmykrantz wrote:

Hello Demo,

Thanks so much for your reply. Very helpful, although not what I wanted to hear.

Question: I didn't mention that my phone is still functioning (when it's not turning off abruptly) so could I still sync my data (contacts, texts, notes, etc) with iCloud so as to not lose it? (I plan to move all my photos & videos to my laptop pc as my next step.)

Best,

Jimmy

That is correct. When you sync that content with iCloud, you will be able to download it again whether you have a backup to use or not. When you sync that content with iCloud, you have to let it all upload to the cloud.

Also bear in mind that when you sync content with iCloud, anything you do on your phone is reflected in iCloud. If you add a contact to the phone, it is added in iCloud. If you delete a note in iCloud, it is deleted on the phone.

Some content is recoverable for 30 days. Photos, contacts, files, reminders, calendars and bookmarks can be recovered.

jimmykrantz wrote:

Hello Demo,

Thanks for your assistance. A good news update: I was able to backup my old iphone to icloud, then sync(?) my contacts, texts, calendar etc. to icloud. Then I restored my data (and previously purchased itunes music) to my new iphone and all seems to be working fine. And now I have a monthly icloud bill to pay /:

As do I, but I think the cost is justified with the peace of mind that I get having iCloud and iTunes backups for my devices in addition to Time Machine backups for my Mac.

Here is my last task that I need help with: I still don't have all my 1000+ songs back on my new iphone, which I'd ripped from CD's and have on my computer's itunes. But I'm afraid to simply sync my itunes music with my new iphone for fear of inadvertently putting the supposedly corrupt ios on my new iphone. So what to do? Is there a way to delete the backup of my old iphone from itunes on my computer before I reinstall (sync) my music to my new iphone?

You can delete a backup by launching iTunes and then go to Edit>Preferences>Devices (if you use Windows) or iTunes>Preferences>Devices (if you use a Mac), and a window will appear that lists all of your iOS a device backups. Select the backup in that window, and then click on Delete in the lower right corner.

This support article explains how you can delete backups in Windows differently than what I posted above. As far as I know, you should still be able to delete a backup the way that I described, but I use a Mac so I can’t check it on a PC.

Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Sorry for all the verbiage!

No problem. Actually, I very much appreciate the details that you provided. It makes it so much easier to help someone when they post detailed information.

NOTE: Syncing your phone with iTunes should not place a corrupt copy of the iOS on the phone. Syncing does not install the iOS as part of the sync process. Deleting the corrupt backup is fine, but before you delete the iTunes backup, backup with iCloud again before you delete the old backup. If the old backup is corrupt, it should not matter anyway because it is unusable, but it never hurts to be proactive with backing up.

Best,

Jimmy

Good luck!

If the backups are truly corrupt, they can’t be fixed. Based on the fact that the problem persists when you erase the device, download a new copy of the iOS and then restore the backup, it certainly makes sense that the backups are corrupt an unusable.

I know it really s*u*c*k*# and you are supposed to backup in case your phone craps out, but it doesn’t always work out. I’m afraid you will have to restore as new.

However, all is not lost if you were syncing data with iCloud. Any apps that you were using with iCloud like contacts, notes, reminders, Safari bookmarks, iCloud Photos, Messages, etc. and app data and files in iCloud Drive will all download to the new phone when you turn those apps on again in the settings.