Q: message says The last backup could not be completed

This may be caused by a corrupt existing backup that needs to be deleted, or by data on your device that is causing the backup to fail.  To troubleshoot these, try deleting your last iCloud backup (if you have one) by turning off iCloud Backup in Settings>iCloud>Storage & Backup, then tap Manage Storage, swipe across your backup and tap Delete, then go back and turn iCloud Backup back on and try backing up again.

If it still won't back up, you may have an app or something in your camera roll that is causing the backup to fail.  To locate which one, go to Settings>iCloud>Storage & Backup>Manage Storage, tap the name of your device under Backups, under Backup Options tap Show All Apps, then turn them all to Off (including camera roll) and try backing up again.  If the backup is successful, then the camera roll and/or one of your apps is causing the backup to fail and you'll have to located by process of elimination. Turn the camera roll On and try backing up again.  If it succeeds, turn some of your apps to On and try backing up again.  If it succeeds again, turn some more apps to On then try again; repeat this process until it fails.  Eventually you'll be able to locate the problem app and exclude it from your backup.

Hi,

I'm having the same issue as Krista1975.  I have an iPhone 5 running iOS 7.0.3.  So far I've taken the following trouble shooting steps:

From Settings > Storage & Backup >Manage Storage  I've deleted any old backups and I've turned all apps, including the camera roll off.  I've also restarted the iPhone, a full shutdown, and when I try to trigger a manual backup the phone seems to get stuck in the "Estimating time remaining..." phase.  I never actual get an estimation and then I get the error "The last backup could not be completed".  I am able to backup the phone to my computer without any issues.

My next idea was to try and backup on someone else's wireless network, although I haven't had any connectivity issues on mine.  Besides that, are there any other troubleshooting steps you think I should try?  Thanks so much.

-NifflerX

If you determine that it's a network connectivity issues with the iCloud server, things you can try include power-cycling your wireless router (unplugging it for 15 seconds, then plugging it back in), resetting network settings on your phone (in Settings>General>Reset), updating the firmware on your router, and changing the router's DNS settings to use Google's public DNS (see https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using).

I tried updating the DNS setting, using Google's, and that didn't seem to have any effect.  I also tried power cycling the wireless router and renewing the DHCP lease on my phone but still got the same result.  I will try at a friend's house at some point when I get a chance to see if there's something specific to my network.  Until then, is there anything else you can think of I can try?  Thanks again so much for all the help.

-NifflerX

No, I think trying a different wifi is the right next step.

Hi,

Tried it on a new wireless network with the same result. Anything else you think I should try?  Thanks again for all the help.

-NifflerX

I'm not sure what else to suggest short of restoring your phone.  I suppose you could make an appointment with the Genius bar at a nearby Apple store to have them take a look at things, but based on what you've already tried I don't know what they would be able to find.

If you do decide to restore, be sure to back up your phone first.  Also, save any photo stream photos to your camera roll so they are backed up too.  Since you can't back up to iCloud, back up to your computer by connecting your phone to your computer, opening iTunes, clicking on the name of your phone in iTunes, then going to the Summary tab of your iTunes sync settings and clicking Back Up Now.  Also go to File>Devices>Transfer Purchases.  Then you can safely restore.

Dear Randers4

I've been reading this blog b/c since i have the upgrade 7.3 I can not backup to icloud. so i deleted the current backup and now i have none and still can not back up

please help me as i can not get to an apple store easily

I'm not sure what to suggest other than what I already posted earlier.  Try each of the suggestions above.  In the meantime, back up your device to your computer so you have a backup while you're trying to troubleshoot your iCloud backup.  To do this, connect your device to your computer, opening iTunes, clicking on the name of your phone in iTunes, then going to the Summary tab of your iTunes sync settings and clicking Back Up Now.  Also go to File>Devices>Transfer Purchases.