iTunes could not backup iPhone because the iPhone disconnected

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me... I posted on the discussion boards but never got any replies. I have the same issue, trying to backup and get the 'disconnected' error... I have an iPhone 4, iOS 6.0.1, iTunes 11, Windows 7... I have tried deleting my previous backup (or actually, moving it into 'my documents' so that I don't lose everything I have ever backed up), uninstalling & reinstalling iTunes, all 3 of the USB's on my laptop, different connection cords, and disabling my wifi on my phone but I still get this error message... ANY other suggestions out there? I'm so frustrated that I am actually screaming profanities at my phone and getting ready to throw it against a wall... Haha!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks, Lawrence. You helped another guy!

Farmer71, that is exactly how I fixed my problem. I was able to back up my iphone5 on another computer. I then deleted any backups from the original computer and copied the good backup onto it. After that, backups and syncing worked fine.

Same problem.

Since last version 6.01 I can not backup in my PC (windows 7 with itunes 11.0.1 (12)), not having problems with iPad. Probably the problem is not in the PC.

I tested:

Uninstall iTunes

Reinstall iTunes

Change 3 usb cables

Change usb ports (front, rear) (one, another)

Cable direct to usb without hubs

On and off WIFI in iPhone and network

Rebooting iphone and PC without antivirus

Runing itunes with the safe mode

I deleted the backup folder

I can not perform a backup in iCloud

I can not perform the backup under WIFI. This exclude a problem with drivers usb, cable and ports.

Itunes shows a backup one month earlier that does not exist in teh backup folder (????)

I tried to backup in a new Macbook Pro with last soft Leopard and itunes, without success. I can synchronize. Probably the problem is not in the Macbook.

Then the problem seems to be in the iphone (iOS 6.01) or itunes. Both Apple's responsability

I think Apple has to resolve definetively this problem. I initiated with Apple several months ago, thinking this world was "different"

Many thanks, and any solution would be appreciated

I've given up on wireless synching, so the only way I get this to work now is with a USB-Lightning cable from my iPhone 5 directly to the back of my iMac. For whatever reason, USB hubs (I've tried 2) no longer allow this to work (for me), so I have to share the port with several other USB devices.

The error message, thankfully, is gone now. But I think I noticed that the backup actually occurred even with the message, so not sure what this "iPhone disconnected" message is really trying to tell us.

In addition, I never upgraded to iTunes 11 - might be another source of trouble?

Hope this helps . . .

It would be helpful to include in your comment how this problem started. For ex. Did you suddenly disconnect your phone while backing up?

I solved my problem by erasing old and corrupted backup file, then synchronizing with another computer, and then synchronizing with my computer from a different hub.

I hope the above will help!

Hubs have always been "iffy" with iPhones. It is best to use a USB port directly on the computer, and, if it isn't a Mac and is a desktop PC, a port on the back rather than the front (front ports on many PCs are an internal hub). Also, on the pre-aluminum iMac don't use a keyboard USB port.

If you MUST use a hub it is essential that the hub have its own power supply, and not get its power from the computer.

The reason is that hubs cannot supply enough power to the phone. A passive hub can only draw 0.5 amps from the computer it connects to, and that must be shared among all of the devices connected to the hub plus the hub's internal circuits.

Both hubs were powered hubs. And this disconnect problem didn't start happening until the past few months - and always worked fine with the hub, as well as wi-fi synch. Don't remember if it started with Mtn Lion or iOS6, or maybe it's a combination of both.

A scanner on the hub also started to misbehave around the same time - so I'm putting my $$ on Mtn Lion ;^) But that doesn't explain the problem "no78945" has on a PC.

Thanks man you solved my problem my latest backup was corrupted😎

@lawrence,

Hi,

I am trying to help a friend who gets this error message when his iPad 3 is connected to a Mac. Strange as with his 2 iPhones he gets no error message during backup and sync.

After deleting the current "Backup" folder his 2 new iPhones "create" a new 'Backup" folder and backups with both devices are executed correct. Now when he wants to sync his iPad 3 he again gets the error message.

Also if he switches from "Automatically backup to this computer" to "Automatically backup to iCloud" he gets the error message as well.

We switched USB ports and cables, repaired permissions, rebooted etc.

I suppose the only option left is to restore the iPad and install as new device. What's your opinion ?

Thanks 🙂

If it happens with both computer and iCloud backup then there's probably data corruption on the iPhone, so restoring as New should fix it - unless it's a hardware issue. It shouldn't happen, and I haven't seen this problem often, but I have seen it.

@Lawrence,Thank you, I tell him to do a restore. I also don't see any other option.

Help,

My iPhone 5 will not back up on my macbook Pro. I have iTunes 11.0.1 and my iPhone is up to latest update. It syncs fine but wont back up. I have it plugged into my computer directly. My other phone (iPhone 4S) backs up successfully. I deleted all but one of my backups for iPhone 5 (concerned if I delete all backups I lose everything).

Back up begins then get error.. " iTunes could not backup the iPhone because the iPhone disconnected". I tried keeping phone awake and unlocked from password, still same issue. I also tried backing up to iCloud...but get the same issue. My iPad backups are successful.

Please help me with iPhone 5 backup issue.

Did you try to delete the iPhone 5 backup from iTunes/Preferences/Devices ?

Otherwise as written above there is possibly some data corruption and it is advised to restore your iPhone 5

Well, finally I decided that the solution is restore my iPhone, because all that I have tried, failed.

In view that I can sync apps or music without problems,what's your advise to restore the contacts, pictures and other after restoring iphone?. What I have to do?

To restore camera roll, is possible to copy the images in a hard drive, restore the iphone, and after this copy the pictures to the iphone, or I have to sync with the PC by means iTunes, and after restoration of iPhone try to sync with iTunes?

I would maintain contacts, photos and other after restoration

Many thaks for your advices