iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occurred.

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powertree Author

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iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occurred.

Alright.

I've been dealing with this all evening.

Everytime I plug my phone in, the sync gets to step 6 and then that error as mentioned above pops up.

My system: Win7x64 My device: iPhone5

This problem only started today.

I've scoured the internet and have tried all these solutions with no progress:

1. Deleted old backups

2. Deleted the Lockdown folder

3. Reinstalled iTunes

4. Changed the time zone

5. Running as Administrator

To be quite honest I can't even remember everything I've tried and I am not just incredibly frustrated.

Could anyone lend a hand? I honestly Don't know what the issue could be. I also tried deleting apps from the phone, removing all my podcasts, pictures, etc.

Still that flippin' error message comes up.

Anything. Before I go crazy and reformat my computer.

iPhone 5, iOS 6

Posted on Oct 8, 2012 8:06 PM

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Answer 1

powertree Author

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Oct 9, 2012 5:53 AM in response to powertree

Nothing? No one?

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Answer 2

powertree Author

Level 1

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Oct 9, 2012 3:40 PM in response to powertree

I've gone ahead and removed iTunes from my PC, and did a registry clean afterwards. I reinstalled iTunes and got an error for a DIFxINSTA64.exe something about it wasnt being associated with a program and needed it to be set with my Default Programs menu. Once I hit ok, the install finished and still with no dice.

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,347 points

Oct 9, 2012 3:43 PM in response to powertree

Since you are using a PC, the proper way to uninstall and then reinstall iTunes is here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923

What is the error that you are receiving. There should be some type of error code. And trust me, reformatting your computer will only exacerbate your problems.

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Answer 4

powertree Author

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Oct 9, 2012 5:53 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

There is no code associated with the error. See screenshot:

Gonna follow the book and try another uninstall of itunes. Will report back soon.

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Answer 5

powertree Author

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Oct 9, 2012 6:14 PM in response to powertree

Fresh install of iTunes: no dice. 😟

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Answer 6

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,347 points

Oct 10, 2012 12:22 PM in response to powertree

Maybe look at this support document http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2529

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Answer 7

powertree Author

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Oct 12, 2012 10:10 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Ok. I literally went through all of those steps, and then nothing on there worked.

But.

I just fixed it.

Here's how I did it.

I went into the settings of the phone, erased EVERYTHING.

Plugged the phone back in, synced with nothing on it. Backed up, Worked.

Went to my old but latest backup from my iPhone4 before I bumped up to the 5.

I then restored from that backup, BUT. Didn't sync any of the apps, podcasts, or music.

Then by a process of elimination, I went one group at a time.

First I synced all my apps. Once all of them loaded, I hit the backup button. Worked fine.

Second, I synced all my podcasts. After, hit backup. Worked fine.

And last. My music. Synced all of it. Backup could not finish!

So I went through and tried to remember what was the last thing I added on there that could have added on there that could prevent it from working.

Oh. The first 3 Games of Thrones books you ripped from the library?

Once I deleted those. Synced fine.

I don't know exactly how the **** that was the thing that fixed it, but it did. I have the 32g model, and had around 12g of space free.

But it's fixed. So maybe a heads up to the people who might be experiencing the same problem. Try that out. Sync your categories one at a time, backup, and eliminate each one at a time.

I'd love to know if this helped anyone else.

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Answer 8

Bobufarr

Level 1

14 points

Dec 6, 2012 8:10 PM in response to powertree

I had the same error and just fixed it.

I'd moved the backup files to an external drive then deleted them from the library, but even without old backups, the process failed.

I tried many of the above suggestions, but eventually I tried unchecking the "Encrypt iPhone Backup" My previous backups were encrypted with a password, so when I unchecked the box, I was prompted for that password, which let me remove the encryption.

I then rechecked the box, entered in a "new" password, but I used the same one as before. The back up ran and showed progress in a pop-up window. A few minutes later, it was done.

I've since tested it through the normal process and everything is working again.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 9

DPAVS

Level 1

0 points

Feb 25, 2013 12:05 PM in response to powertree

None of the above solutions worked for me. I am having the same issue on iPhone4. Same error message. Just started out of the blue.

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Answer 10

KarlZIII

Level 1

0 points

Mar 2, 2013 1:28 PM in response to powertree

I've had the same issue and nothing has worked. I can sync fine, but iTunes will not create a backup, either on the computer or in iCloud. I have deleted previous backup files and followed all other steps outlined in various discussions. I can't back up to another computer or with a different user name. Mine seemed to just start out of the blue too, though I know my last successful backup was January 29, so I will go back and see what I've added since.

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Answer 11

mslnrd

Level 1

0 points

Apr 9, 2013 11:14 PM in response to KarlZIII

Having same problem, cant backup iphone 4S, same error message without code as in the above screen shot. Tried 2 computers, reinstall itunes, delete old backups and everything else that has been suggested. Do not want to restore old backup bc don't want to lose what I've added since.

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Answer 12

ndt1231

Level 1

5 points

Apr 10, 2013 10:56 AM in response to powertree

PLEASE HELP!!!

I have an ipad mini ios 6.1.3 and it won't let me backup!

I tried everything and I don't want to restore!

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Answer 13

mslnrd

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2013 12:59 PM in response to ndt1231

Tried the solutions above, but didn't work for me. Apple support suggested trying 3rd party software. Tried 4 different 3rd party backup utilites and they all failed with various error messages ranging from no data found to cannot read to just hang. Really don't want to lose 2 months worth of SMS, contacts and calendar entries by restoring to my last backup.

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Answer 14

ndt1231

Level 1

5 points

Apr 10, 2013 1:00 PM in response to mslnrd

Did the latest updates cause this?

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Answer 15

Apr 20, 2013 1:56 PM in response to powertree

ANYONE? Same problem... But my phone suddenly stopped connecting to itunes and won't log me into my wifi...

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