Cannot restore because the backup was corrupt or not compatible

After much trial and no success at Apple, I updated, restored, erased, set up as a new iphone, etc,.....eventually grabbed the right back up to restore from on Itunes (a few still didn't work)....It finally worked!!! Apple techs should know this...

Thank you! Restored with no issues after updating the software.

Considering there are at least a few responses here that could help people fix this problem, you'd think Apple would come up with a better response than simply "sorry 'bout your luck."

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.

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!

And Apple-I would love for you to call me (you have my number) as I am unable to get hold of anyone because you rely on me & this forum model where your customers do all the work, figure out the answers & provide your customer service for you for free. It impossible to contact anyone in support.

Additionally a photo appeared in photo showing an invoice owed for an ipad pro which I did not order - How is it possible a photo could be added to my gallery without ever having received an email, phone call or message. I am still unable to back-up my phone & have not been contacted by apple except to confirm my previous posts had been deleted as these were not convient for you have this feedback displayed, so are extremely fast at removing items that show you a negative way but nobody has bothered to help me with the issue I have.

Just to confirm-I am not backing up a new phone from an old one, simply trying to back-up as my weekly task. I have had the same phone which is a 7 & have backed up many times. Now the last back up has disappeared & I cannot back up this existing 2 year old phone due to the error. It’s not only the only throwing the error but telling me this phone has never been backed up.

I also do not care for the response such as we are only volunteers & I’m not listening to what I’m being told. Clearly you are not listening & if you are not up to the job should not be volunteering!

Apologies to all that have tried to help-This message is to Apple.

Am I not being clear!? I am not trying to back up a new device from a previous device-I am simply trying to back up an existing device! The old back-up has disappeared & I am getting the corrupt back-up error. What is not clear to you geniuses in my messages??? I have 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, the watch & a Mac so I guess I have spent over $6000 on Apple products so why am I spending weeks, weekends looking at other users stories & YouTube tutorials none of which work?

Apple fix this-It is your product, your technology & my patience is worn out. Somebody needs to contact me & take ownership of this. Complacency ended BlackBerry & Google has a great range of products as well as Samsung so from this thread there seems to be a revolution. IPhone X $1000 failure so take note & do something & do it fast!

Well I did update the O/S before I did the backup. Recommended by Apple and my friends.

What I do not understand is this problem of corrupted backups is a frequent issue.

So frequent that at least 3 companies are making money selling "iOS backup recovery tools".

As a 45+ year experienced computer systems / software architect, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND why this problem exists at all !!!

AND I do not understand why Apple has not fixed this very problematic bug.

Come on, at the very least Apple should invoke the method the Restore() uses to check and report the "...backup corrupted..." when the Backup() is finished.

Then we unsuspecting iOS users would know immediately that the Backup file(s) where corrupt and we could try another backup right then!

This is simple, any new hire software engineer could do this.

Apple has to determine root cause here and fix the problem.

I hate to bring up a problem without offering a detailed solution but I do not have access to Apple's source code.

Backups are important. Lifesavers even.

-Richard

Thank you-I agree.

My issue is that it’s not a new device it’s an existing device that had previously been backed up but the back no longer exists & I get the corrupted back-up error. I have tried everything people have suggested but so far Apple themselves have offered no support.

Fortunately I do know someone with access to the source code but I would not put them in the position to help me-Apple needs to come out with a solution & fix this

Thanks to all that have replied & tried to help.

To APPLE-I do not know how many times or how clear I can be! I am not updating a new phone from an old phone back-up (I wouldn’t waste the $1000+ on a v10 as it’s a crappy upgrade & embarrassing for you) I am & I repeat again simply trying to back up an existing v7.

You leave me with no choice-I will not pay a 3rd party to fix this issue so I will use the Apple code which is not so secret, break into my phone then ditch the 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, Mac & Apple Watch I have & switch to a better provider. End of-You’ve had months to help me & haven’t so I’ll fix it myself with your code & publicly disgrace you. APPLE is not bigger than 1 single customer.

Additionally you have deleted my posts in the past-Ones that don’t suit your image so let me be clear you can delete but I can put your code on social media & there is no legal restraint on me doing so. I’ve checked & it does not break any SOX or DPA laws in the country I live so good luck

I have the same issue! Going from an IPhone 6 to an iPhone 7+. I’ve spent the past 6 hours trying to get all my apps from one phone to another using my Mac iTunes. All devices being used are on the lastest updates. I must have backed up my old phone about 6 times now and it’s still not working! You’d think after so long and so many issues Apple would do something to help. 7th time lucky maybe? If not then one of the devices will soon be going through a wall!

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!