Why won’t my phone backup when I have plenty of storage? Apple trying to scam me for money to add storage

generally speaking, the free 5 GB of iCloud storage Apple gives you, is probably not enough to do an iPhone backup. How large the backup is, depends on how much stuff is on your iPhone.

So it's not a 'scam'.. if you want to use iCloud backup, you likely need more than 5 GB of storage space. If you want/need more than 5 GB of storage, then you have to pay for it.

If you prefer not to do that, then you can back your iPhone up using a computer.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Hello ~ It depends on several things. How much is plenty?

If you can't back up to iCloud - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

Hello ~ You will need to follow the information that *Chris0107* has posted for you. Eventually you will need more iCloud space…

Upgrade to iCloud+ - Apple Support

~Katana-San~