iTunes could not backup the iPhone.... Why no solution yet?

Question

Level 1

8 points

iTunes could not backup the iPhone.... Why no solution yet?

Consistently getting error message : "iTunes could not backup the iPhone ___________ because an error occured," when I attempt to backup my iPhone 5 to my iTunes through the lightning usb cable. Yes my iPhone 5 is updated, my Macbook Pro is updated, my iTunes is updated. I have looked through these forums thoroughly and it seems there are a lot of iPhone consumers who are running into this issue and 99.9% of these people have not found a solution.

Does anyone have a solid solution & please do not reply with:

- "Restart your iPhone"

- "Use iCloud"

- "Click this TroubleShoot Link!"

- "Are your devices updated?"

**********This is definitely a serious issue and Apple is either ignoring or purposely malfunctioning an iTunes backup so people will buy iCloud space.*********

One would think that paying top dollar for devices would come with avoiding basic functions such as "Backing Up" your device. I also took it to the Apple "Geniuses" and they are completely useless, as usual.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.1), OS Lion, Brand New Macbook Pro 2011

Posted on May 30, 2013 10:25 PM

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Answer 1

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

May 30, 2013 10:31 PM in response to kevinn474

We are just users here,

Are you just ranting or you want someone to help?

One way is to go to Mac iTunes > Preferences... > Devices, select the backup and do a delete.

Now right click on iPhone in the iTunes Sidebar and do a restore.

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Answer 2

kevinn474 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2013 10:36 PM in response to ckuan

Why or how would I click Delete, when I clearly cannot Backup in the first place?

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Answer 3

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

May 30, 2013 10:42 PM in response to kevinn474

Is this the first time you are doing a backup?

Have you check the path I've provided?

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Answer 4

kevinn474 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2013 10:50 PM in response to ckuan

No this is not my first time doing a backup. I've checked the path you've provided. I went to Preferences.. > Devices, and there is no backup to select OR to select & delete because I am unable to backup to my iTunes. You also say to restore. What am I supposed to restore to when I have nothing backed up yet?

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Answer 5

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

May 30, 2013 11:06 PM in response to kevinn474

No this is not my first time doing a backup.

Then you should have a backup in Mac iTunes. unless you backup using a different computer.

Sorry the my last sentence should read Backup.

Now right click on iPhone in the iTunes Sidebar and do a restore backup.

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Answer 6

kevinn474 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2013 11:15 PM in response to ckuan

I do have "Backup" in my Mac. If you read my original post, it states that I am getting an error message when attempting to perform a backup. Error Message: iTunes could not backup iPhone because an error occurred.

I appreciate you trying to help though. Thank you.

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Answer 7

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

May 30, 2013 11:21 PM in response to kevinn474

Read this

iOS: Troubleshooting backup issues in iTunes

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Answer 8

Lec.ma

Level 1

9 points

Aug 12, 2013 12:57 PM in response to kevinn474

This is true.. It is not really a good thing to avoid this issue. I have just tried the same entire things that you talked about but in vain! I also do not have any backup so I wish someone finds a solution soon!

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Answer 9

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Aug 12, 2013 3:10 PM in response to Lec.ma

Sorry, there is no solution if you don't have a backup.

Backup is a daily routine when you plug iPhone into computer iTunes.

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Answer 10

Lec.ma

Level 1

9 points

Aug 12, 2013 11:23 PM in response to ckuan

What do you mean by "there is no solutions"? There has to be something.. It isn't the end of the world.. I am afraid if I 'restore iphone' via itunes will not also help.. What do you think?

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Answer 11

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Aug 12, 2013 11:52 PM in response to Lec.ma

I was trying to solve OP issue so I don't know what you want me to think.

You hijacked this thread, so what your problem?

What is not working for you?

What did you actually tried?

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Answer 12

Ocean20

Level 6

13,727 points

Aug 13, 2013 12:00 AM in response to ckuan

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Answer 13

Lec.ma

Level 1

9 points

Aug 13, 2013 11:53 PM in response to Ocean20

It works like a charm now.. I did 'Restore iPhone' via itunes and now it backs up... This worked with me, might not work with you.. But, you might want to try it... 🙂

Good Luck...

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Answer 14

flason

Level 1

10 points

Sep 26, 2013 10:08 AM in response to kevinn474

I had the phone backed up to a different User Account on the Mac and got this error message.

My solution was to go to that (different) account and backup then to

~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

and make .zip (compressed) version of this new backup.

Drag that to the Public Folder dropbox of the User account that I wanted to backup to, click OK

Now, Log into that User account and drag the .zip backup to the path above location and double click to un-zip.

I also removed all prior files so the new backup was the only one there.

I plugged in the phone and the problem was gone. No error message and I was able to back up the phone to this User account.

Good luck.

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