iCloud Backup Broken After iOS 9 Upgrade

iCloud Backup on both my iPhone and iPad have been working fine for years until I upgraded to iOS 9. After the upgrade it said my latest backup was "Never". When I pressed "Backup Now" the progress bar flashed quickly then went back to saying my latest backup was "Never" (no error messages).


I decided to try turning iCloud Backup off and back on again. When I try to turn in on it says "iCloud Backup Failed. There was a problem enabling iCloud Backup.".


Any ideas or suggestions on how to fix?

iPhone 6, iOS 9

Posted on Sep 17, 2015 10:18 AM

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553 replies

Nov 4, 2015 6:36 AM in response to jehad_refaie

Thank you for taking the time to troubleshoot the iCloud problem. I followed option #2 and my phone still will not perform the auto backup. After 3 attempts, I finally got it to do a manual backup, so at least I have that. My husband's phone was having the same problem. He did nothing to fix it and it began doing an auto backup spontaneously. I'm hoping my phone will do the same, since I have tried your fix along with the similar one suggested by saeed.ayman.

Nov 7, 2015 7:30 AM in response to leventv

leventv wrote:


I was having the same problem for a month in two iPhones. Tried everything written here in 18 pages but nothing worked for me. Finally yesterday I called Apple Support and they advised something and both phones are fixed and iCloud back up works just fine as it used to be before iOS 9 updates. What i did is just change the DNS setting of the wireless connection to 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4

Hope this helps.

Thank you "leventv", for your solution to this issue. I had the same problem. I tried many suggestions all over the net including this forum, but nothing helped. Once I changed my default local ISP DNS servers to Google DNS servers on my iPad, the problem disappeared magically. Now, I can do manual and automatic iCloud backups as usual without an issue. I also thought that the problem was with iCloud servers. As "fromsouth" also mentioned that my local ISP DNS servers were probably blocking iCloud backup servers for some reason. You saved me some hours. Also thanks to the Apple Support, who gave you this simple solution.🙂

Nov 7, 2015 11:08 AM in response to tolgao

Sorry for being a tech dummy, but what exactly are these numbers? My phone has a series of numbers different than the series you mentioned. How were they assigned? Does each phone have unique numbers or is it unique to whatever wifi you are in. I don't doubt the solution worked but I would love if someone could explain why the numbers are wrong to begin with. Also, if it's as simple as the wrong numbers, why doesn't iphone do an update that would fix these numbers for everyone?

Nov 7, 2015 12:00 PM in response to leventv

leventv wrote:


I was having the same problem for a month in two iPhones. Tried everything written here in 18 pages but nothing worked for me. Finally yesterday I called Apple Support and they advised something and both phones are fixed and iCloud back up works just fine as it used to be before iOS 9 updates. What i did is just change the DNS setting of the wireless connection to 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4

Hope this helps.

My iCloud backup had been working fine again until the last two days. I was using the DNS settings assigned to me by Time Warner Cable. I decided to enter these into my iPhone to see what would happen. Entered the numbers, put the phone down, let it sleep. Picked up the phone 10 minutes later and saw the automatic backup went to work immediately. So I've now changed the DNS settings in my router and will see how that works. I don't want the DNS settings on my phone because I can't remotely access my router that way if I need to adjust a setting. The router should handle all devices connected to it With these new DNS settings.


FIngers crossed.

Nov 7, 2015 12:24 PM in response to fallenx1778

Those are DNS (Domain Name System) Servers' IP addresses. It is totally okay for your iPhone to have different DNS numbers. Those numbers are assigned automatically by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) as default. Each ISP usually have different DNS numbers. No, they are not unique to your phone or wifi you are in. Those numbers are not wrong. Simply, your Internet Service Provider's DNS numbers may be blocking iCloud backup services, for some reason. I don't know why ? So when you use Google DNS Servers (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4), some how they are allowing iCloud backup services. You can use whatever DNS numbers, you want to. Apple has nothing to do with your DNS numbers. I am sure, Apple is aware of this problem.


What can I say is: "Just have some faith and change your DNS numbers to Google DNS Servers (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4). Just note your current DNS numbers somewhere. If Google fix will not work, then you will revert to your old DNS numbers. It is simple as that.


As Nike ad says: "Just do it".



P.S. If the fix works, Don't forget to thank "leventv".

Nov 7, 2015 1:06 PM in response to tolgao

Thanks for all of that information. Will this be an issue when using different wifi? Say if I normally charge at home but then visit a friend for the weekend will my phone still be able to back up? Do I at some point change the number back to my original numbers? What if I forget the numbers or don't write them down? How will I get wifi back to my phone? Sorry, like I said, I'm a tech dummy

Nov 7, 2015 1:35 PM in response to fallenx1778

Once you change your DNS numbers with Google DNS numbers. You don't have to do anything else. Yes, it will work where ever you go and whatever wifi that you use. Google DNS numbers are for public use and many people use them. I understand that you are tech dummy, but you should do some research on Google, for your other questions ? That is all, I can help you.

Nov 7, 2015 3:54 PM in response to leventv

Were there any other steps you had to go through before changing the DNS worked?


I changed out the numbers to Google's DNS, since it's a public DNS and it won't mess up my Internet connection.


I then switched iCloud backup off and back on and the backup failed.


Then I turned iCloud backup off again, hard-reset my phone, turned iCloud backup back on and tried again. It keeps failing. Progress bar looks to get about 75% of the way done before it returns the "backup could not be completed" message.


Since I deleted the existing backup, all I've got going for me now are local backups to iTunes on my MacBook Pro.


So, if there was anything else you did that worked which I didn't mention doing above I'd love to hear it.


Thanks!

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iCloud Backup Broken After iOS 9 Upgrade

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