iTunes could not backup iPhone, not enough free space

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akasnowmaaan Author

Level 1

13 points

iTunes could not backup iPhone, not enough free space

Macbook Air - El Capitan, iTunes 12.5, most recent updates,140gb free

iPhone 6 - iOS 10.2, less than 20gb on the phone

When I try to sync my phone locally, the back up fails every time. The error message says:

iTunes could not back up the iPhone (mine) because there is not enough free space on the computer to save the backup.

Removing files and emptying the trash will free up additional space

I have 140gb free and less than 20gb on the phone.

Things I've tried to troubleshoot that didn't help:

- Ran Disk First Aid on the volume

- Switched between encrypted and unencrypted backups

- Deleted all other backups from within iTunes

- Pointed the MobileSync backups at a volume with 1Tb free space

- Did a full wipe and reinstall of the phone from scratch - NOT from a backup

- Deleted iTunes, including preference files and everything else in the Library and reinstalled from scratch

Things that did allow me to back up:

- Creating a new Login User and backing up to that copy of iTunes

I've tried a bunch of other solutions out there, but it seems nothing helps.

Any clues what else I can do?

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Dec 15, 2016 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 31, 2016 8:11 PM in response to Limnos

After doing research here on the Apple support board I see this has been an ongoing problem with iPhones, iTunes and the Mac OS dating back to 2012. I've tried most if not all of these things mentioned here and on your link to the article above and nothing works. Wills Apple ever dig into this issue and fix it?

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Answer 2

Jan 11, 2017 12:56 PM in response to enhk

enkh, this might be helpful to you, it worked for me. Take a look at the response from Gail: Deleted Apple ID Account Keeps Asking for Password

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

428,039 points

Dec 15, 2016 6:39 PM in response to akasnowmaaan

If your iTunes backup couldn't be completed or you can‘t restore from a backup - https://support.apple.com/HT203271 - The usual stuff about making sure you are using the newest iTunes and making sure you really do have enough free space on your computer. Nothing very specific about insufficient space error messages other than contact Apple Support which may well just bring you back here.

iPhone Backup Cannot be Saved Because of Not Enough Space on Computer - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6494052 - No single solution but some suggestions which have worked for some people.

Feb 2014 Try hard reboot of device - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5556469?answerId=24936922022#24936922022

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Answer 4

enhk

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2017 12:44 PM in response to Limnos

TRUE. I've tried most if not all of these things mentioned here and on your link to the article above and nothing works. Will Apple ever dig into this issue and fix it????

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