Cannot backup my iPhone to iCloud - Apple support couldn't even help

I Have tried repeatedly to back up my iPhone 7 plus to iCloud and have not been able to. I have plenty of storage and I am connected to a reliable wi-fi (I have even tried other wi-if servers). I have tried so many various things. For example logging out of my iCloud account and then logging back in. I have even turned off a lot of my apps and content that backs up into iCloud. You name it, and I tried it. Last week I even contacted apple support. Unfortunately after about 45 minutes of them trying to help me, unsuccessfully, I had to leave for an appointment. I never got a hold of support again mainly because I am just frustrated. I thought I would pose the question to the community support and just maybe someone out there can come up with the fix. You can imagine my frustration especially since apple support wasnt able to help.

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 10.3.2

Posted on May 23, 2017 6:35 PM

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9 replies

May 24, 2017 3:45 AM in response to marnmar

Please check that your device is correctly connected to the wifi/internet (settings > wifi) and is plugged into a power source, also check that you have enough space in iCloud for your back up.

You can check the space available at Settings > Your Name (at top) > iCloud > Storage and the space needed for the next back up at Settings > Your Name (at top) > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > BackUps > This Device > Next back up Size (wait for the information to load).

Assuming you meet the requirements for iCloud back up, you should try a forced shutdown to begin with, hold down the side/top and home buttons together until the device shuts down, then restart it by pressing the side/top button.

Next, try connecting the device in a new location (different WiFi network)

If your back up continues to fail, you might try turning off BackUp on your mobile device (Settings > Your Name (at top) > iCloud > BackUp), restarting the device and then turning BackUp back on again.

If this doesn’t help turn BackUp off again, delete your existing back up from Settings > Your Name (at top) > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > BackUps > This Device (scroll down to the bottom) > Delete BackUp, restart the device and then turn BackUp back on again.

If you are still unable to complete a back up, try signing out of iCloud (Settings > > Your Name (at top) iCloud (scroll down to the bottom) > Sign Out (you will need to enter your password at this stage), restart the device and sign back into iCloud at Settings > Your Name (at top) > iCloud.

The next thing to try would be to reset your network settings. (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings)

Resetting your network settings will clear your current cellular and wifi network settings, including saved networks, wifi passwords and any VPN settings you might use. It will affect internet connectivity but won’t impact on telephone services since these settings are auto configured by your carrier. It may take a few moments to re-enter all your network settings but it shouldn’t cause you any major problems. If you are comfortable re-entering your network settings, you may wish to try this step a little earlier in the troubleshooting procedure, say after the forced shutdown suggested above.

If this doesn't help, try turning off some items for back up in a pattern to try to establish if your problem is being caused by specific data on your device. You can do this at Settings > Your Name (at top) > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > BackUps > This Device > Choose Data To Backup.

If you still aren’t able to complete a back up to iCloud, you may wish to try restoring your phone which you should do by making a back up to iTunes via your computer and restoring from that.

Being able to back up to the cloud can be very useful, especially if you don't have access to a computer or have infrequent access to one, however unless you specifically need to use iCloud for back up, you will find backing up to iTunes significantly more convenient and possibly more reliable. However if you back up to iTunes be sure to encrypt the back up if you want to keep your health data and passwords etc.

More about iCloud v iTunes Back Up

Oct 23, 2017 9:07 PM in response to katiesham

I have spent many hours (over 20 hr no lie) at the Apple store & on the phone with an Appleexpert. They advised it was some sort of glitch with iCloud but didn’t know what. I have also tried EVERYTHING. The rep as the expert basically said my file there has been closed even thou they haven’t figured out problem! How can they do that? I rent 200 GB of storage & all my other devices back up fine. But not my iphone6 plus & I want the new one X but how can I restore if it says I never backed phone up (b/cApple rep changed all settings & it’s considered a “new” phone when connected to computer. I was also advised the backup was corrupted at one point during my hours of talking to Apple. How do “un corrupt” this?? I am beyond frustrated

May 23, 2017 9:32 PM in response to marnmar

marnmar wrote:


You name it, and I tried it.

Well, this doesn't provide us with any information. It would be much more helpful if you told us exactly what you have tried, and what symptoms of failure you have seen.


Two glaring things you may or may not have tried:

  • Be certain your iPhone (iPad? You did post in the iPad community.) is plugged in and locked.
  • Have you tried a manual iCloud backup? If so, what were the symptoms of failure?

May 24, 2017 11:25 AM in response to sberman

I have been plugged in and screen locked. I have tried several reliable wi-fi servers. I have manually tried to back it up on several occasions. After the backup indicator was literally increasing in time to hours, it finally says this backup was unable to complete. I deleted old back up then re-tried, no luck. I then started to eliminate virtually all my apps that was tied to iCloud. Still no luck. I shut down and then manually tried again, no luck. Very frustrating. Like I said, apple was on with me for at least 45 minutes trying when I had to sign off with them.

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Cannot backup my iPhone to iCloud - Apple support couldn't even help

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