Cannot restore because the backup was corrupt or not compatible

I had this same issue and was very nervous I had a corrupt file on my old iPhone (6s). It ended up being a software update issue! I always kept my previous iPhone updated but the new iPhone (7) I purchased was not updated. Once I updated the new iPhone, I was able to restore it from iTunes!

>>Make sure both phones are operating on the same software versions

My first thought was that it didn't work because I had tried to back up my old phone after I had changed my number to the new phone. Apparently, that does not cause an issue.

The other issue with this error message is that it says backup is corrupted or incompatible. Many times the issue is the incompatible, and not the corrupted message. If a user tries to restore a backup created with a newer iOS than what exists on the device they are trying to restore to, it will not work and you will get that message. iOS backups can be restored to a device with a same or higher iOS than that of the backup, but you cannot restore a backup made with an iOS that is newer than that on the device.

I understand it would be nice to have some type of confirmation that a backup was good. Feedback to Apple goes to https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Use Decipher Backup Repair, BEST $30 I have spent! I was SICK thinking i lost all of my notes, and text messages (I backed up my photos separately) All apple said is "You wont be able to use this backup, if that message comes up"!!! What kind of an answer is that!? This is AFTER i already relinquished my phone at the genius bar for a cracked screen! They asked, did you backup your phone, and i said yes, having done this the night before. HAVING NO IDEA it was corrupted, as Itunes said nothing of the sort when it made the backup! Again Decipher backup saved my butt! (my backup was not encrypted though, dunno if it works with encrypted backups.) Also, i believe my backup was corrupted because windows 10 defender detected the backup as a virus, blocking it in the middle of the backup. I Disabled auto protect, and the backup completed without error, but it could have still affected the backup somehow.

Yes, you are absolutely correct! I received a "itunes could not restore the iphone because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the iphone that is being restored" message when going from an iPhone 6S+ 128G to the newest 7S+ 256G. After several failed attempts I googled the message and came to this forum and tried your suggestion. It worked like a charm! After updating the iOS on the 7S, the phone then restored from the saved backup, no problem! Thank you so much for your helpful suggestion!

This worked for me! I previously had the iPhone 6 when I purchased the iPhone 7 Plus. I did a back up through iTunes after the iCloud backup was horrendously long. I went to restore my new iPhone 7 with my iTunes via my Macbook Pro when I received the corrupt message. I tried the update on my new phone, and now it is able to restore my backup! Thanks so much!

If an alert says that your backup is corrupt or incompatible

If iTunes can't restore from a backup because the backup is corrupt or incompatible, you won't be able to use that backup. Contact Apple Support.

I found that I was be unable to restore a backup made from an iOS Beta release to a phone running standard iOS. In my case I had to download the iOS Beta Profile (https://developer.apple.com/download/) on the new device and update it to the latest iOS Beta OS. It was NOT sufficient to just install the profile. I updated the source device (iPhone 6s) to the same iOS Beta OS version, backed it up, and was then able to restore the backup to the new device (iPhone X).

They do.

You must've reached a very unique rep, if they did not ensure both were on the same versions and thus, compatible for transfer purposes amongst old and new devices.

I know many who've called in for assistance. They get loads of calls on this especially when iPhone X was released.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht203434

I'm so thankful for this post! I was getting really frustrated and worried I wouldn't be able to back up for some reason and as soon as I updated the ios on my new phone (Restoring from an iTunes or iCloud backup when a later version of iOS is required - Apple Support), it's restoring like a charm! Phew! 😍

I'm having this exact same problem. I just upgraded from an iPhone 6s to an iPhone 7 Plus and I backed up my 6s to my computer and am trying to restore the backup to my new 7 Plus, but keep getting this same error. It's driving me insane! I had so many photos and videos that I don't want to lose. 😟

hello, i have the same problem but the thing is i never use to update the software on my old iphone 5c, and now i hav a new iphone 5s, so even if i tried to get it on the same software version, i wouldnt be able to as the software on my old phone was a old ios and the one on my new phone is the fact ios

EXACTLY!! Same thing for me, I spent a long time with Apple on the phone and there was nothing they could do. I Googled the problem and found Decipher Tools app, decided to give it a shot and Bam! It fixed it immediately, for only 29.99. Totally recommend! Regarding what corrupted the backup, I really don't know but maybe cause I pulled the cable before ejecting the phone. Backup was complete but I should have not done that probably..

I just got an iPhone 6 replaced with a new, identical iPhone 6 and got the OP's error message when I tried to restore the last backup. I was nervous that updating the new phone from iOS 10.3.2 to iOS11 would not allow me to restore my backup that was iOS 10.3.2. But it worked perfectly - thanks for the advice!

Hello, so this also happened to me. But firstly, I want to say my horrific situation. I had an iPhone 6 Plus and upgraded to iPhone 8 Plus. I backed up my 6 to my PC. After buying the 8 I went to my laptop opened iTunes and hit Restore Backup. Then suddenly it was asking for a password for the backup. I was surprised. I didn’t make any password for the backup. After googling some answers it appears that so many people are having the same problem. Apple will going to lock up your backup for the “safety” of your files. The resolution, Apple created a password made from your old iPhone password. So my suggestion is to try to remember your pasts password until you hit the right one. After I got the right password combination then it says that my backup is corrupted. I was losing my sh*t. Then after googling this issue again it appears that you should update your new phone to you’re going to restore to the newst iOS version. Then after that restore should start. Hope this helps. Apple seriously need to resolve these issues.

Hello, so this problem also happened to me. But firstly, I want to say my horrific situation. I had an iPhone 6 Plus and upgraded to iPhone 8 Plus. I backed up my 6 to my PC. After buying the 8 I went to my laptop opened iTunes and hit Restore Backup. Then suddenly it was asking for a password for the backup. I was surprised. I didn’t make any password for the backup. After googling some answers it appears that so many people are having the same problem. Apple will going to put password on your backup for the “safety” of your files. Apple created a password made from your old iPhone password combinations. So my suggestion is to try to remember your pasts passwords and list them down and cross out whatever didn’t work until you hit the right one. After I got the right password combination then it says that my backup was corrupted. I was losing my sh*t. Then after googling this issue again it appears that you should update your new phone that you’re going to restore to the newst iOS version. Then after that, restore should start. Hope this helps. Apple seriously need to resolve these issues.