Do this if you need help backing up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iCloud Backup

Do this if you need help backing up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iCloud Backup

Do this if you need help backing up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iCloud Backup.

If you have ever or are currently experiencing failed storage backup on your iPhone, it could be due to insufficient iCloud storage or other causes. In this article we will discuss one by one about the problems that often occur that cause you to not be able to back up to iCloud. Here are the actions you can take to back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iCloud Backup.

Solution if there is not enough iCloud storage

When performing a backup and a warning appears that there is not enough iCloud storage, you can follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings on your iOS or iPadOS.
  2. Tap iCloud. At the top you can see how much iCloud storage you have used.
  3. Select Manage Account Storage or Manage Storage
  4. Then tap Backup, and then tap the device you're using. Look at the Last Backup and Backup Size section to find out how long it took you to back up your storage and the size of the next backup.
  5. If your backup takes up more space than you have in iCloud, you can:
  6. Delete unnecessary information (to reduce the backup size); or
  7. Upgrade your iCloud+ plan (to get more space). 
  8. But if the problem isn't resolved, you can ask for help by contacting Apple Support.

Solutions if your last backup could not be completed

If you see a message that your last backup could not be completed, you can follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Then make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi on your iOS or iPadOS.
  2. Next, go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update. Download and install any available updates for your device. 
  3. Try to perform a backup on another Wi-Fi network.
  4. Then double-check to make sure there is sufficient iCloud storage for the backup. 
  5. If you still need help, you can contact Apple Support.

 

Solutions if iCloud backup takes longer

When iCloud backup takes longer than expected to complete, you can solve it by:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi on iOS or iPadOS.
  2. Then, check your upload speed.
  3. Connect your device to power and Wi-Fi for 24 hours. If the backup is still not complete, archive important data.

 

Solution if iCloud Backup option is grayed out

  1. Check if the restore is still in progress by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
  2. If the device is still being restored, the message " This [device] is being restored and will be backed up after the restore is complete" may be displayed. You can create a new backup after the device has finished restoring.
  3. Check if you have a profile installed that restricts iCloud Backup. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management to see the list of installed profiles.