ITunes could not back up the IPhone "phone name" because an error occurred.
I just tried to do a sync on my iPhone 4 to my IMac where my ITunes are actually stored. For some reason I got the error that is the subject of this post. My IMac is up-to-date, and I normally sync every Sunday to keep my IPhone as up-to-date as possible.
The only things that I have done differently this week: I installed Apple TV, I can't imagine that this makes any difference, other than I have another "Home Sharing" device in the house. Other than that, I updated my apps separately on both the IPhone and the IMac prior to syncing. The numbers waiting to be downloaded on ITunes was irritating me, but I didn't feel like syncing at the time.
Is anyone else getting this error, and if so, have you been able to resolve it, and how?
I get this issue about once a week on my iPhone 3GS running 4.2.1 (although it's been happening since 4.0 I believe). It starts will the iPhone stalling while backing up. I then end up sliding to cancel on my iPhone. I unplug my iPhone and plug it back in. It looks like it syncs but I then get the error message that you get. Here are my steps to temporarily solve the problem:
1. I curse a little
2. I unplug my phone and quit iTunes
3. Open iTunes and plug my phone back in (sometimes the problem is solved at this point)
4. Curse some more (if the problem persists)
5. Unplug my phone and turn it off. At this point I end up having to do a hard-restart on my phone because it won't shut down (hold the home button and power button at the same time until the screen blips off)
6. Turn the phone back on and try syncing again (50% chance the problem will be "solved" at this point)
7. If I still get the error message I curse one more time and then simply hit "sync" in iTunes. 99% of the time it will be solved in this step. If the issue is still present then I will try once more to restart iTunes, and then if that doesn't work repair disk permissions.
Like I said, I seem to go through this routine every week or so. This week I've had to do it twice already (once yesterday and once today). I've tried restoring my phone using previous backups but the issue still occurs. I think my next step will be to do a full factory restore, which means I'll have to organize my data and apps all over again (like having a new phone). This is a last resort!
I hope this long post helps.
Similar Messages
-
ITunes could not back up the iPad "iPad Name" because an error occured
Hello. I have been backing up my iPad to the cloud since I got my iPad just over a year ago, but whenever I try and back up to a computer it comes up with the error 'iTunes could not back up the iPad "iPad Name" because an error occurred'. After reading MANY posts on the internet about this issue I am still not any closer to figuring out why it is not backing up and has never been able to back up to a computer. I am running Windows 8 Enterprise 64bit on a HP laptop. My iPad is a 3rd Gen 16GB iPad.
Here are the things I have tried:
1. Update iTunes and iPad to latest software.
2. Delete all previous backups by trying two methods (I have been unable to backup the iPad at all so there were no previous ones. Here are the two methods:
a) iTunes -> Edit -> Preferences -> Devices -> Device Backups (none there)
b) C:\Users\James\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync -> delete backup folder.
3. Turned off Windows Firewall. I am not running any other security software apart from the built-in Windows Defender.
4. Uninstalled the entire Apple suite (iTunes, Quicktime, etc.) and reinstalled.
5. Deleted the lockdown folder from C:\ProgramData\Apple.
6. Disconnected all USB devices and removed CD from disk drive.
7. Removed local backup encryption password.
8. Tried a fresh user account.
9. Tried a fresh user account on a different computer (Win 7)
10. Tried a different cable (original from Apple)
11. Run diagnostics on iTunes (all reported OK. Connectivity to iPad was fine)
I have probably missed some things that I have tried because I have tried ALOT but this is most that I can remember. Just to re-iterate, the iPad has always been able to backup to iCloud fine and syncs perfectly well with iTunes. The only problem is when I try to backup to a computer. Any help or suggestions will be much appreciated. ThanksI have a similar problem. My iPad is barely a month old and it backed up/synced fine at first. Now I get this same error. I've tried the same things Jalex mentioned plus several more. Nothing worked.
Then something odd happened. Last night I was on my laptop and opened itunes. It looked for, found my iPad and synced with it all by its self. I thought "thank goodness something must have worked"!! Now today, same thing...get the error everytime.
I think it is fairly common Jalex, as I've found several posts and followed all the directions trying to find a fix. I haven't however found a post where anyone found a specific fix. -
Error message: iTunes could not back up the iPod "iPod name" because an error occurred
Every time I try to back up my iPod I get this error message: iTunes could not back up the iPod "iPod name" because an error occurred. How do you fix it?
Try moving the existing backup file to a safe location and then try again. The backup file is located:
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Windows Vista and Windows 7: \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ -
Itunes will not backup my phone with new iOS8. Itunes says it cannot backup because an error occured. How do I fix?
Hello, olemike.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
I would recommend going through the steps in the troubleshooting article below.
iOS: If you can't back up or restore from a backup in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529
Cheers,
Jason H. -
ITunes could not back up the iPhone... because an error occurred
Hi
I have been trying to sync my iPhone 3GS on my ailing G5 and for the past couple of weeks get the message above every time.
I have seen some suggested solutions but none seems to work. Earlier I read that deleting the previous back ups and then trying to back up again might help. Suffice to say it did not and now I have no old back ups for, well... back up.
Does anyone know what this problem is and how it can be overcome?
Thanks
RussellSince you've been trying for weeks, try restoring as a new device.
How to set up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch as a new device
You will have to re sync iTunes purchases. If you don't have a backup available (external drive or CD's) if you are a resident of the U.S. and have iTunes 10.3 or later installed, and 4.3.3 or later on the iPhone, you can re download your iTunes media for free.
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store -
Hi..
While working in India I bought an iphone 4s (with international warranty)
I have synced my old iphone 4...and get this message when trying to sync the new phone.
iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the backup was corrupted or not compatible with the iPhone.
Do I need to buy Lion? Whats up?
Any help?
ThanksI get this issue about once a week on my iPhone 3GS running 4.2.1 (although it's been happening since 4.0 I believe). It starts will the iPhone stalling while backing up. I then end up sliding to cancel on my iPhone. I unplug my iPhone and plug it back in. It looks like it syncs but I then get the error message that you get. Here are my steps to temporarily solve the problem:
1. I curse a little
2. I unplug my phone and quit iTunes
3. Open iTunes and plug my phone back in (sometimes the problem is solved at this point)
4. Curse some more (if the problem persists)
5. Unplug my phone and turn it off. At this point I end up having to do a hard-restart on my phone because it won't shut down (hold the home button and power button at the same time until the screen blips off)
6. Turn the phone back on and try syncing again (50% chance the problem will be "solved" at this point)
7. If I still get the error message I curse one more time and then simply hit "sync" in iTunes. 99% of the time it will be solved in this step. If the issue is still present then I will try once more to restart iTunes, and then if that doesn't work repair disk permissions.
Like I said, I seem to go through this routine every week or so. This week I've had to do it twice already (once yesterday and once today). I've tried restoring my phone using previous backups but the issue still occurs. I think my next step will be to do a full factory restore, which means I'll have to organize my data and apps all over again (like having a new phone). This is a last resort!
I hope this long post helps. -
I want to backup my phone before upgrading to ios5 but I get an error message: itunes could not back up the iphone because a session could not be started with the iphone. I want to go to ios5, but I do not want to lose everything. I've gone to my device under preferences and I have no backup currently.
I have a Verizon Iphone 4 and a PC.
Please help me..Hi Judy,
Im using windows 7 and im not a computer wizard, i've tried the method by using the instruction for Win7 but it does not work, same problem still exist.
Could uninstall itunes and reinstall it back on my pc fix my problem, please advise...... Many Thanks!
VBR,
ray -
I have recently updated my phone and am attempting to sync it. I got the error message "iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the iPhone". I deleted the backup, restarted my computer, and even restored the iPhone, but continue to get the same error message. What do I need to do now?
iTunes places the iPhone backup in the following location. Navigate there & delete everything in the backup folder, but not the folder itself. You will have to turn on "Show All Hidden Files & Folders" to see it:
Mac:~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Windows XP:\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Windows Vista and Windows 7:\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ -
Why won't my iPhone sync with my computer? When I hook the phone up to iTunes I get a message that reads: iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the backup could not be saved on the computer. This never happened before.
Hey Janice Lucoff,
Thanks for the question. It sounds like you are experiencing issues backing up your iPhone 4s in iTunes, which is causing issues finishing the sync of your device. The following resource should help resolve your issue, as it refers to the exact error message you described:
iOS: If you can't back up or restore from a backup in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2529
Thanks,
Matt M. -
I am trying to use Itunes to move my data from my iphone 4s that was backed up on my Macbook Pro. I keep getting an error code backing up from ITunes to new Iphone 5s:iTunes could not back up the iPhone “Karen’s iPhone” because it is locked with a passcode. You must enter your passcode on the iPhone before it can be backed up. On the Iphone it keeps telling me to add another network. I have put our home network on the Iphone. When I put the passcode in the phone does not give me enough time to put my Apple ID password in and it shuts off. Help!
<Email Edited by Host>FORCE IPAD INTO RECOVERY MODE
1. Turn off iPad
2. Turn on computer and launch iTunes (make sure you have the latest version of iTune)
3. Plug USB cable into computer's USB port
4. Hold Home button down and plug the other end of cable into docking port.
DO NOT RELEASE BUTTON until you see picture of iTunes and plug
5. Release Home button.
ON COMPUTER
6. iTunes has detected iPad in recovery mode. You must restore this iPad before it can be used with iTunes.
7. Select "Restore iPad"...
Note:
1. Data will be lost if you do not have backup
2. You must follow step 1 to step 4 VERY CLOSELY. -
Itunes could not back up the iPhone because an unknown error occurred
I am trying to update my Iphone 3GS to the 4.01 update, but I keep getting this error: "Itunes could not back up the iPhone because an unknown error occurred" Then Itunes tells me to reconnect my Iphone and try again, I do so...and I retry the update and I get the same error over and over again. What do I do? I can't update my phone...
Nevermind, I misread.
Message was edited by: Melissimo -
I inadvertently deleted my iPhone backup on my MacBook Pro. I restored iPhone to factory settings and then synced remotely with iCloud. However the error message repeatedly states:
iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the iPhone. Delete the backup for this iPhone, then try again.
Any ideas as to how this can be resolved please. Thank you very much.My wife's iPhone 5 would not backup, after upgrading to iOS 8. The "genius" at the Apple store succeeded in DELETING, the only recent backup of her phone so
recovery became more critical.
I followed all the procedures for troubleshooting it, but still it would try to backup and then stop due to an error. We particularly wanted to preserve some game data/history/progress that she'd been working on for years. This game (Dream Fish) would no longer open after the iOS 8 upgrade ... and the phone would not successfully backup, and so we had no confidence that it would restore from an older backup either. I googled for solution and found Phoneview and iFunBox. These apps allow you to see & access data files in the iPhone. Phoneview was too fragile and crashed when copying a file any size.
I found "iFunBox". iFunBox was excellent. I used iFunBox to recover her game data. It allows you to make a copy of data files that reside on the iPhone... and store them as a manual backup on the Mac.
And in the process I found 2 games that caused iFunBox to crash. The 2 games in question were not important enough to try to keep, so I deleted them from the iPhone.
So then, I had a manual backup of the important iPhone data, and had eliminated two game files that apparently had a conflict with iOS 8.
My next Backup attempt was successful. The iPhone with iOS 8 would now backup to both the Mac and to the Cloud.
Next I deleted Dream Fish from the iPhone and downloaded a fresh version from the Cloud. The new Dream Fish with no history opened in iOS 8.
Then I used iFunBox to copy my wife's Dream Fish data history from the Mac back into the new game.
Once the transfer was complete, Dream Fish would now OPEN and all of her progress was there and working like normal.
Hope this helps. -
Itunes could not back up the iphone
When I try to sync my Iphone i get an error "Itunes could not back up the iphone because it could not be saved to the computer" How do i fix this. I have the current software for the iphone and using itunes 9. I have 2 iphones that sync to this computer and the other one is ok. Also I have my Itunes set to an external harddrive with plenty of free space. Help Please!!!
I am having the very same issue and it's very annoying. I also have 2 phones and my old 3G is working fine. iPhone 4 is getting this error.
I have fried deleting existing backup files. I have turned off all firewalls. I have tried a different user admin. -
ITunes could not back up the iPhone because the back-up could not be saved
I updated my 3GS to the 4os software and after the sync was complete All seemed okay but I am not able to use my camera nor am I able to access my photos on my iphone. It says "updating library" and then closed out of the application. I just tried to sync my phone again (A week later) and I get an error message: "iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the back-up could not be saved on the computer" I have 200GB free space on my hard drive so I know it is not a memory issue. Is this the same issue everyone is experiencing?
Is this an iPhone issue or an iTunes issue?
Any suggestions to get this to work?Hi!
I had the same problem with my iPhone4, and I could resolve it thanks to some ideas that I took from Loopster77´s post.
You have to delete the current iTunes backup directory on your computer, that is on PC:
C:\Users\xxxxxxxx\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\<40 letters and numbers>
being "xxxxxxxx" the username of the computer owner.
What you have to delete is that "<40 letters and numbers>" directory.
After that, your iTunes will be perfectly capable of doing the backup.
I hope this will help you. -
Error Message: iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occurred
Error Message: iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occurred.
The thing is - I have no idea what error have I encountered!
Usually, I would assume the previous backup file is corrupted and I will proceed to delete the old backups. I did the same this time round, and it's still unable to sync. Now I have no more backup files!
I have tried -
1. Deleting old backup files.
2. Restarting iPhone 4S & iMAC.
3. Remove
I am using iOS 5.1 on iPhone 4S, and iTunes 10.6.1 on Mac OSX Lion. My phone is not jail-broken in the first place.
Does anyone face the same problem?
I need to back up my files!!!Unfortunately, "because and error occured" doesn't give you much to go on. Some general things I would try if you haven't already:
Use Disk Utility on your mac to repair disk permissions, then reboot and try backing up again.
Use Finder to go to ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/, then control-click on the Backup folder and select Get Info, then check Sharing & Permissions at the bottom and make sure your username has read & write priviledges
Try closing all apps, then reset your phone: double-tap the home button, tap and hold the apps at the bottom until they wiggle, tap the minus sign on all apps to close them. Then reset your phone: hold the on/off and home buttons until you see the Apple logo (ignore the off slider that appears first), and release
Try a different usb to dock connector cable; ensure that your case isn't interfering with a good connection to the dock connector at the bottom of your phone; clean the dock connector at the bottom of your phone (e.g., with a dry toothbrush); troubleshoot your usb connection (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1286)
I know this looks like a laundry list, but unfortunately it's hard to isolate the problem without a clear error message. If the problem persists, you might try posting in the iMac or iTunes forums for other ideas.
Maybe you are looking for
-
Can I save a filled out form in adobe reader
How do I save a filled out form in adobe reader?
-
I recently purchased a new television which is supposed to be able to connect to a computer. Which cord do I need to purchase? Thanks!
-
IOS 5.1.1 update apple composite av cable
Updated to 5.1.1 on iPhone 4s and noticed when I plugged the Apple AV composite cable, the phone says it's not an authorized device and won't allow charging. Anyone else have this issue?
-
Managed Install of Adobe Pro 9.3 closes
I have an Administrative install of Adobe Pro 9.3. I created an MST with Adobe Customization Wizard 9, configuring license and default settings for the users and suppressing the display of the EULA . I am pushing out the installation and Transform vi
-
Notes in IOS 10.9.1 keeps creating new note
Running OSX 10.9.1, as I type a note, it automatically creates a new note as a snapshot of where I am in the note. On a 10 line note, it creates 9 notes, all with the same title and progressive snapshots of the final note. Only does it on one of my M