iPhone won’t back up after downgrade from iOS 17 beta

My son accidentally updated my phone to the iOS 17 beta version hi receiver to downgrade my phone back to the 16.6 iOS I connected to the computer and when I had to pick them back up to put on my device it has my iPad back of my iPhone 13 back up and there was a iOS 17 made it back up but since I downgraded that was not eligible And I do not want that I’m on the 16.6 and my phone backed up one time after downgrading back to the regular iOS 16.6 the non-beta it’s been 40 days now and my phone has not been backed up every time I try is tell me I’m not on the newest version or it’s not compatible. I think this is due to the iOS 17 beta I don’t know what to do and I need to back up my phone my 12 year old not know he was doing anything wrong he thought he was helping I need help please .

iPhone 13, iOS 16

Posted on Sep 8, 2023 5:19 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best answer
KiltedTim wrote:

Ahhh. I see what you’re saying.

I don’t know that I would have referred to this as a ‘security breach’ as this brings to mind a widespread breach of a major service provider…


A compromised Apple ID is no joke.


But if you do want to joke, the parents’ Apple IDs are the keys to the local data kingdom, and to the royal treasury.


This is just a kid who managed to circumvent a parent’s security… probably because they gave the kid the necessary information.


The ”just a kid” tends to end badly. Unless you’re intending to challenge them.

Posted on Sep 15, 2023 8:16 AM

16 replies
Question marked as Apple recommended

Sep 8, 2023 5:38 PM in response to christinamcaruso617

You can only restore a backup made before the beta update; that is explained in the instructions for installing the beta. An iPhone can only be restored from a backup made with the same version that is currently on the iPhone, or from a backup made with an older version of iOS. It cannot be restored from a backup made with a higher version of iOS than the version currently on the phone. Thus, you could restore a backup made when the phone was running 16.6, 16.5, or lower, but not one made with 17. Which is logical, if you think about it; iOS 16 doesn’t “know” anything about the features of iOS 17 that would be in the backup.


Data that you have synced to iCloud from your iPhone can be restored, but not data that was backed up with the higher version.

Sep 8, 2023 5:41 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I restored a backup that was done prior to that being installed but ever since then I was able to back up once and after that it stopped, allowing I have the 16.6 version on my phone. How did the whole restore restart settings a wiped my phone clean. I went to Apple and got it done. I brought my computer computer and did everything and came back on the 16.6 version and then I called him like two days later asking l how come I’m using s much iCloud storage this is over a month ago and ever since then nothing has been able to back up.

Sep 8, 2023 7:02 PM in response to KiltedTim

My son just turned 11 he thought he was updating my phone because I knew nothing about it, and after I wiped the phone, I connected it to the computer with apples helps and put 16.6 back on, and turned beta off It is just annoying can not back phone i don't know how delete the backup i saw on computer when phone was connected

thanks

Sep 14, 2023 5:54 PM in response to KiltedTim

SO, it truthfully doesn't matter if it was an accident or not, she didn't ask for advice about talking to her son!!! So I am having the same issue and have been back and forth with apple support. My sister downloaded the beta and now I can't back my phone up at all. After deleting beta I restored my phone to a previous back up before beta. and it still won't back up. still going back n forth with apple. once I get an answer , ill let you know the outcome

Sep 14, 2023 6:01 PM in response to Ab_01

Ab_01 wrote:

SO, it truthfully doesn't matter if it was an accident or not, she didn't ask for advice about talking to her son!!! So I am having the same issue and have been back and forth with apple support. My sister downloaded the beta and now I can't back my phone up at all. After deleting beta I restored my phone to a previous back up before beta. and it still won't back up. still going back n forth with apple. once I get an answer , ill let you know the outcome

OK. Then here's your answer:

You can not get any help here for issues related to the beta.

Wait till Monday, the upgrade to the shipping version of iOS 17.

Sep 14, 2023 6:29 PM in response to Ab_01

Change your Apple ID password, and all of your social media passwords, everything, and your passcode.


This was a catastrophic security breach, and the beta install is just part of the mess here. All of your saved passwords have quite possibly been exposed, among other details. This can include your Apple ID password. Apps and app data can also be installed or removed, as well.


If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support


I’d minimally run Safety Check here, too.


Personal Safety User Guide - Apple Support


And yeah, there isn’t a downgrade from the beta. Your options are to reset and start over, to restore a backup from prior ro the beta, or to wait for the official iOS 17 release next week; on the 18th.


Sep 15, 2023 4:56 AM in response to MrHoffman

MrHoffman wrote:

Change your Apple ID password, and all of your social media passwords, everything, and your passcode.

This was a catastrophic security breach, and the beta install is just part of the mess here. All of your saved passwords have quite possibly been exposed, among other details. This can include your Apple ID password. Apps and app data can also be installed or removed, as well.

If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support

I’d minimally run Safety Check here, too.

Personal Safety User Guide - Apple Support

And yeah, there isn’t a downgrade from the beta. Your options are to reset and start over, to restore a backup from prior ro the beta, or to wait for the official iOS 17 release next week; on the 18th.

Wait… what?

What security breach?

I’ve been really busy lately, and must have completely missed this.

Sep 15, 2023 7:23 AM in response to KiltedTim

KiltedTim wrote:

Wait… what?
What security breach?
I’ve been really busy lately, and must have completely missed this.


From the very first line of the question, this is why I suspect a breach:


My son accidentally updated my phone to the iOS 17 beta version


Here, it would not surprise me to learn that the passcode and then some of the passcode-protected saved passwords are known. So-called shoulder surfing is fairly common in these cases.


Many kids are familiar with device security. More familiar than parents might suspect. Kids are already operating schools; in what can be very adversarial environments.


Past passwords, we had a wee bairn admit to having intentionally erased their grandparent’s free music subscription a while back, for instance. And I’ve personally seen much, much worse data damage with what I’ve had to clean up when a wee bairn was “innocently” playing with somebody’s iPad.


Sep 15, 2023 7:30 AM in response to MrHoffman

Ahhh. I see what you’re saying.


I don’t know that I would have referred to this as a ‘security breach’ as this brings to mind a widespread breach of a major service provider… This is just a kid who managed to circumvent a parent’s security… probably because they gave the kid the necessary information.


Yet another reason not to let your children play with your devices.

iPhone won’t back up after downgrade from iOS 17 beta

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