Backup Failed Error on iPhone
Depending on the settings for notifications on your device, “iPhone Backup Failed” error message appears on the Lock Screen or on the Settings screen of iPhone or iPad.
In general, the most common reason for “iPhone Backup Failed” message on iPhone is due to lack of storage space in your iCloud Account.
This error message can also appear if iPhone fails to Backup its data to iCloud due to network connectivity issues, problems with Apple’s iCloud Service and other reasons.
1. Check iCloud Backup Settings
The first step is to make sure that your iPhone is properly setup to backup its data to iCloud.
Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
On the next screen, make sure the toggle next to iCloud is set to ON position (green).
2. Connect iPhone For Charging
iPhone backs up its data to iCloud only when it connected to a WiFi network and is plugged in for charging.
Hence, plug your iPhone for charging and make sure it is connected to WiFi network by going to Settings > WiFi and make sure iPhone is connected to your WiFi Network.
You should be able to see your iPhone backing up to iCloud, as soon as it gets sufficiently charged (above 50%).
3. Check iCloud Storage Space
Most of the times, “iPhone Backup Failed” error message indicates lack of iCloud Storage space as the reason for this error.
- On the next screen, take a look at the amount of storage space used and remaining in your iCloud Account.
You need to make efforts to Free up iCloud storage space, if the amount of remaining iCloud storage is less than 2 GB.
The other option is to buy additional iCloud Storage Space by going to Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan > Select Storage Plan that suits your requirements.
If you do not want to buy additional iCloud Storage, you can rely on manual iPhone backups to Mac or Windows Computer using iTunes.
4. Manually Backup iPhone to iCloud
Try to make a manual backup of iPhone and see if “iPhone Backup Failed” error message appears.
- On the next screen, toggle on iCloud Backup and tap on Back Up Now.
Wait for the Backup process to be completed.
5. Check the Status of Apple’s iCloud Backup Service
Your iPhone won’t be able to Backup to iCloud, if there is a problem with Apple’s iCloud Backup service. You can check this by going to Apple’s System Status Page.
On the System Status page, take a look at iCloud Backup entry and make sure the circle next to iCloud Backup is green.
6. Sign-Out/Sign-In to iCloud
Sometimes, the problem is due to your Apple ID not being recognized by Apple’s iCloud service and other iCloud glitches.
Go to Settings > Apple ID > scroll down and tap on Sign Out.
Restart iPhone > Open Settings and tap on Sign in to your iPhone link.
Once you are signed-in, try to make a Manual iCloud Backup by using steps provided in method#4 above.
7. Reset All Settings
If above methods did not help, Reset All Settings on your iPhone to Factory Default settings.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > tap on Reset All Settings.
On the confirmation pop-up, tap on Reset to confirm.
After iPhone Restarts, connect to your WiFi Network and see if you can Manually Backup iPhone to iCloud.
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