ITunes doesn't back up my iPhone 4 automatically

I think I may have used a terminal script on my mac a while ago to turn off automatic backups on my old iPod, and I found a script that is supposed to reactivate it, however doing so doesn't seem to automatically backed up my phone. I discovered this problem when I restored my iPhone yesterday, and there was no saved backup!
Also, I have now set up my phone as I wish, so I right clicked on my phone in iTunes and select Backup (in order to make a manual backup), however, the backup takes only 2 seconds.... I fail to see how it backed up my whole phone in this time.

I'm pretty sure iTunes no longer has the "automatically sync" feature, or at least I can't find it. But, yeah, the Apple tech guy is crazy or misspoke: Of course iTunes backs up app data. That's the whole point.
When you press "Sync" in iTunes, a backup is will take place. However, it will only transfer things that have been changed or added since your last backup. This could explain the 2 second backup.
To make sure it's backing up your data, take a look in:
Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
This folder will contain your backup files. You should see lots of files named with random letters and numbers. Take a look at the file dates to make sure they are recent.
Hope this helps!

Similar Messages

  • ITunes 11 doesn't back up my iPhone 4 when I click Sync

    Hello all,
    I am using iTunes 11 on Windows 7. I have it set up to automatically back up my iPhone 4 (running iOS 7.0.4) on my computer. However, I never see iTunes backing up my phone when I plug it into my computer (iTunes opens automatically when I connect my phone to my computer). And when I click on Sync (to sync my iPhone and iTunes), iTunes doesn't do a backup of my phone when syncing (and the last backup date therefore doesn't change). I can back up the phone manually, but it defeats the purpose fo having iTunes set up to back up my phone AUTOMATICALLY...
    Could you please help me figure out why iTunes isn't backing up my iPhone automatically?
    Thanks in advance.
    Chris.

    I'm pretty sure iTunes no longer has the "automatically sync" feature, or at least I can't find it. But, yeah, the Apple tech guy is crazy or misspoke: Of course iTunes backs up app data. That's the whole point.
    When you press "Sync" in iTunes, a backup is will take place. However, it will only transfer things that have been changed or added since your last backup. This could explain the 2 second backup.
    To make sure it's backing up your data, take a look in:
    Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
    This folder will contain your backup files. You should see lots of files named with random letters and numbers. Take a look at the file dates to make sure they are recent.
    Hope this helps!

  • Previously posted troubleshooting doesn't work for my error message "iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occurred".  What other options do I have?

    Previously posted troubleshooting doesn't work for my error message "iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occured".  What other options do I have to backup my iPhone data properly?

    Hi there kchagape,
    You may find the troubleshooting steps in the article below helpful.
    iOS: Troubleshooting backup issues in iTunes
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529
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  • HT201210 I doesn't  back up my iphone 3g and it stuck on restore point and recovery mode in itunes

    I doesn't  back up my iphone 3g and it stuck on restore point and recovery mode in itunes.

    Hold the Home + Power button simultaneously for 10 to 30 seconds. Your device should boot into it's original state. If it doesn't, put your device into DFU mode (Google/Youtube how to do so.), and restore your device.

  • My iPhone Won't Sync with computer. It used to; but it doesn't now. I don't have iCloud. When I try to sync I get a message that reads: iTunes could not back up the iPhone "owner's name appears here iPhone" because the backup could not be saved on compute

    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,
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  • "iTunes could not back up the iPhone 'my IPhone' because a session could not be started with the iPhone"

    Since 2 updates I started getting iTunes could not back up the iPhone 'my IPhone' because a session could not be started with the iPhone. This is happening with my iPad and iPhone. I see hundreds of complains on this issue starting from last year and obviously Apple has no clue how to solve this error. I went through the solutions and spend over an hour deleting backups resetting lockdown, restarting and nothing is working. Are they serious to ask us to disconnect all other USB devices to sync our equipment everyday to solve their problem? iTunes is the worst program I have seen on the market in the past 10 years. It reminds me of DOS programs that could only do one item at a time. You click a command and just wait and wait and wait. Of course they want me to call customer service, wait for x time to talk to tech support and then spend more time. I don't have the time. I spent a lot of money to get an equipment that should work as advertised and not spend further my valuable time. I have reached my limit with Apple and that crap iTunes. I'm calling for a divorce.
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    Do you happen to be running any processes that Apple doesn't want you to use? (Jailbroken?)

  • ITunes could not back up the iPhone "my name Iphone" because the backup was corrupted on not compatible with the iPhone.

    Hi..
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    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:
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  • 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!
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    2. Restarting iPhone 4S & iMAC.
    3. Remove
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    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:
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    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.

  • ITunes could not back up the iPhone because a session could not be started with the iPhone

    Hi
    I have just updated to iTunes 10.7.(oh it just scrolled off the screen give me 5 minutes for it to come back again) 10.7.0.21 - the latest version
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    I have also tried to backup to iCloud as a temporary measure but it says i don't have enough space so must buy some!
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    Could be that iTune can't read your latest backup file. You might have to delete it, follow this article to find out how to delete the backup from the list: iTunes: "Backup could not be saved on the computer" alert message

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    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:
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    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\

  • How do I fix the following error? itunes counld not back up the iphone because the back up could not be saved on the computer?

    How do I fix the following error? itunes counld not back up the iphone because the back up could not be saved on the computer?

    I updated to iOS 5.0.1 days ago and didn't receive that notification until just now...
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    I've decided to rent a movie yesterday. Once it gets deleted, I'm curious to see if it jumps to 55 items.

  • 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. Please help me..

    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.
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    Hi Judy,
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  • HT4137 error code: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.

    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

  • How to resolve error message "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."

    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:
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    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.     
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    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.
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    Once the transfer was complete, Dream Fish would now OPEN and all of her progress was there and working like normal.
    Hope this helps.

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