Cannot restore because the backup was corrupt or not compatible

I had the same problem as you, I changed the phone in the store and I returned home with my new equipment and the same error appears

you only have to update your new equipment to the version that is most recent and after you do it on iTunes it lets you load the backup copy that you had before

the error is due to ios compatibility

I hope I help you

🙂

turned out to be an iOS version difference for me. Once i upgraded the iPhoneX to the latest iOS things worked

This fixed my problem. The new phone needed to be updated, than the restore worked.

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.

I really cannot believe that you would just give a canned answer without even trying to be helpful. The most typical case for this error is when the backup was taken from a device which has a higher version of iOS than the one on the ne device being restored to. A simple iOS update usually takes care of the problem.

If you want to be helpful, try being helpful. Don't give canned responses

I had the same problem.

- I updated the os on both the devices: iPhone 7 and X and still it

didn't work.

- I went into iTunes preferences and deleted all the backed up data from iPhone 7.

and then I backed it up again

Now I tried restoring the back up on iPhone X and it woked.

Kudos 😉 🙂

Wow so glad I read this post. Did a software update on the new phone and it worked! My question is why doesn't Apple just say, "make sure the software of the new phone is the same as the phone that was backed up". SMH

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 just had this issue, and was also freaking out. I have an iPhone 8+, had an issue and had to get another 8+, and after I setup my phone manually and downloaded the most recent iOS (which my old phone was backed up to) it allowed me to restore my new phone. Hope this helps someone!

I had the same issue this morning trying to restore my new iPhone 8 Plus from my backup for my iPhone 6Plus. I updated the new phones operating system and it worked as well. Thank you for the advice!

Just want to say thank you for this answer. I, too, just bought an 8 + and got the same error. A bit of panic to say the least. I ended up setting up the phone as a new phone, updated iOS, reconnected it to iTunes and the restore ran flawlessly...

Hi there,

You need to set up your phone as new, update your software from the phones setings, and then try the restore again. Worked for me - hopefully it does for you also.

I had this same error, I had to make sure my phone had the latest version, and also my iTunes and then it worked for me!

I upgraded my new phone to the latest iOS and it worked. Thanks!

Restoring from an iTunes or iCloud backup when a later version of iOS is required - Apple Support