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Can't enable iCloud backup

I recently had an issue backing up my iPhone 6s to iCloud due to storage issues. So I cleaned up a bunch of things and even deleted the backup. Now when I go to my storage settings I'm told that I have 4.4gb available and my next backup size will be 3.2gb. But on the app list it says Photo Library is 5.5gb.(Pic attached) I don't even do an iCloud photo library and my camera roll is only 2.5gb. When I try and turn off a backup, it won't let me. I've done network resets, turned off and on iCloud backups. But I still cannot backup to iCloud. (I have backed up to my computer as a safety net)

Please help.

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 16, 2016 9:44 AM

76 replies

Jan 26, 2016 3:48 PM in response to jamesfrompacifica

Hey all. It's me the OP.

I think I found a work around as my iPhone 6s is backing up to iCloud as we speak. (probably jinxing it now).

Since we all have this issue once we deleted the backup off of iCloud I did a backup to my macbook air then found the folder of that backup (go to iTunes preferences/devices control/click on your device and pick "show in finder") and uploaded all the files to iCloud drive (you can't upload the folder). Then I made a folder in iCloud drive and gave it the exact same file name as the backup folder on my MBA. Moved all the uploaded files into that folder (over 3k).

went back to my iPhone, manage storage and turned off items before it could even calculate the size then went to iCloud settings, "backup now" and it's a quarter way there as I type this. Definitely taking it's time. But hopefully this works. It certainly is further along than any other try.

I wonder if all it takes is putting an empty folder with the backup file name on iCloud drive to trick the phone into thinking it's there. I'll keep you updated.

Anil P

Level 1

0 points

Jan 26, 2016 3:58 PM in response to jamesfrompacifica

I think Apple fixed something on their end, see this thread:

Re: iOS 9.2 iCloud backup still not fixed!!!

Mine is in the process of backing up, but the estimated time remaining keeps increasing rather than decreasing :-(

Jan 26, 2016 4:04 PM in response to Anil P

ICloud is working now!! Yea!!

Jan 26, 2016 4:15 PM in response to Anil P

OMG. Here I was thinking I was a freaking genius.

Egg on my face.

Tealneko

Level 1

0 points

Jan 26, 2016 4:20 PM in response to jamesfrompacifica

Yay!! It's finally working!

c1mth0g

Level 1

13 points

Jan 26, 2016 4:34 PM in response to jamesfrompacifica

I spoke to someone at Apple and pointed him to this thread.

He suggested a workaround - connect to iTunes and select "Backup to iCloud" from iTunes.

Jan 26, 2016 6:10 PM in response to c1mth0g

I still have this problem. I can't turn off specific apps from backing up to iCloud, so my backup is bigger than the space I have to use. Anyone running into this issue still?

c1mth0g

Level 1

13 points

Jan 26, 2016 6:18 PM in response to rpparkster

This was what let me to turn off the backup. (I thought that by turning if off and on again, it will enable me to turn off specific apps backing up). But what happened instead was that I was unable to turn it back on until I connected it to iTunes and turned it on via iTunes.

Jan 27, 2016 4:47 AM in response to blakeseven1974

I have the exact issue that you described and also deleted an iCloud backup. I have an iPhone 6+ running 9.2.1. Yesterday I decided to connect my Apple TV which I had not used for quite some time. I logged in using my Apple ID and was able to see a few pictures that were auto backed up in iCloud Photo Library. Later last evening I attempted to switch on iCloud backup on my iPhone and it worked! I was then able to create a new manual backup to iCloud. Unless Apple made some updates yesterday to iCloud, something related to me logging into my Apple TV must have reset my Apple ID within iCloud. Very weird but it seems to be working for the first time in months. I have previously tried all steps outlined in this thread except and complete wipe/reset with no success.

Jan 27, 2016 5:24 AM in response to jamesfrompacifica

Well whooptidoo,

As of this afternoon here, the backup can be switched back on again, and runs fine.

Obviously Apple has gone and fixed something on their side of the iCloud backup fence.

Cheers,

Luke

PhB66

Level 1

4 points

Jan 27, 2016 5:27 AM in response to rpparkster

Yes same problem for me. The only progress since yesterday for me is the possibility to activate icloud backup.

Tealneko

Level 1

0 points

Jan 27, 2016 6:24 AM in response to PhB66

PhB66 wrote:

Yes same problem for me. The only progress since yesterday for me is the possibility to activate icloud backup.

The same happened to my at first. I could activate iCloud backup succesfully but when I started the manual backup it didn't finish. It was loading for some minutes and then it said it couldn't be completed. Then I tried again and I had to wait about an hour and it worked. Maybe you just have to keep trying.

PhB66

Level 1

4 points

Jan 27, 2016 6:33 AM in response to Tealneko

I finally had to restart manual backup 6 times in order to achieve it... It tooks me more than 4 hours. I can't say that the problem is resolved for me... And I don't know if I can trust a so fractionned backup...

Katiskat

Level 1

0 points

Jan 27, 2016 8:09 AM in response to Jburris11

thank you for your reply.

I still can not press icloud back up on my phone...

I will call apple to sort this out as I can not figure out what else to do.

I do not have apple tv

Akhil994

Level 1

4 points

Nov 8, 2016 12:34 AM in response to jamesfrompacifica

I have been facing this problem too. I tried to backup my 7 Plus and it had no previous backup. So manual backup does not work. On toggling the icloud backup off, I was then unable to turn it back on. Had to sign out of icloud account and sign back in to enable icloud backup, but it still does not backup.

My phone is also not uploading pictures to my iCloud photo library. Don't know what to do anymore! have tried to restore device as new, have changed my icloud password. Help Please!!

Can't enable iCloud backup