jdrbr

Q: iPhone backup on iCloud via iTunes

I purchasediCloud space yesterday to be able to back up my iPhone 6 (128G).  I tried the "backup now" option on my iPhone and it said it would take 3 days.  I plugged into iTunes and backed up toiCloud.  It took a few hours and said the backup was complete.  When I go the backup screen on my iPhone, it says "Last Backup: Never".   I want new things to automatically backup without restarting the entire process.  What am I doing wrong?  I cannot leave my phone plugged in at my house for 3 days for a backup.  What are my options?

iPhone 6

Posted on Jun 17, 2016 1:24 PM

Close

Q: iPhone backup on iCloud via iTunes

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by BBoiss,Apple recommended

    BBoiss BBoiss Jun 17, 2016 1:53 PM in response to jdrbr
    Level 4 (1,404 points)
    Apple Music
    Jun 17, 2016 1:53 PM in response to jdrbr

    jdrbr wrote:

     

    I purchasediCloud space yesterday to be able to back up my iPhone 6 (128G).  I tried the "backup now" option on my iPhone and it said it would take 3 days.  I plugged into iTunes and backed up toiCloud.  It took a few hours and said the backup was complete.  When I go the backup screen on my iPhone, it says "Last Backup: Never".   I want new things to automatically backup without restarting the entire process.  What am I doing wrong?  I cannot leave my phone plugged in at my house for 3 days for a backup.  What are my options?

    I understand your confusion, however the option to backup in iTunes is a manual backup to your computer specifically. Yes there is a checkbox option to set the automatic steps for your iPhone to backup, but the button to Back Up Now in iTunes is meant only for the computer.

     

    Your iCloud backup will take a long time if you are filling up that 128 GB iPhone, at least for the first time that it sets up this backup. Once it has been able to completely backup your iPhone, all backups thereafter will simply add the additional content that has been saved in archive files after the initial backup. This way you don't have one backup being 45GB today and tomorrow 46GB for a total of 91 GB used. It only expands on what more you have added.

     

    If the restore process takes a long time to finish

    Stay connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and a functional power source until the process finishes. The time it takes to restore from a backup depends on the size of your backup and the speed of your Wi-Fi network. - If iCloud Backup couldn’t be completed or you can’t restore - Apple Support

     

    So in this case, you would probably be looking a combination of the current size of your backup requirement as well as the speed of your WiFi network. Specifically the Upload speed of your network will be what effects your speed of completion. Most providers offer fast download speeds, but it will be packaged with a much slower upload speed. As an example, my previous provider gave me 30 Mbps Download, but 1.5 Mbps Upload speed.

     

    If you want to continue your attempts to backup through iCloud, I would allow it the time needed to complete.  This article may also prove helpful if you have anything you would consider removing from your iPhone. Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support