[Solved]iTunes Could Not Backup the iPhone? Fixes Here!

Using iTunes is a common way to backup your iPhone content for future use, like restoring iPhone. However, many users have encountered the iTunes could not backup the iPhone issue, either because an error occurred, the backup was corrupted, or the iPhone disconnected. Given the necessity to solve the problem, this article is written to provide you the solutions when facing the iCloud could not backup the iPhone issue no matter what the cause is. Read on to get the details.

Part 1: Fixes to iTunes could not backup the iPhone

There are mainly three situations related to iTunes backup failure (shown below). The solutions to the problem vary according to the situation you are in. Find you situation and apply the fixes to your device to fix the iTunes could not backup the iPhone issue.

Situation 1: iTunes could not backup the iPhone because the backup was corrupted

If you see the error message “iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the iPhone”, you should delete the backup for the iPhone and try to backup your iPhone with iTunes again. There are two ways to delete iTunes backup.

Tip 1: Delete iPhone backup in iTunes

Step 1: Run iTunes on your computer.

Step 2: On Mac, click iTunes in the top-left corner. On PC, go to Edit > Preferences in iTunes.

Step 3: Choose Devices > find the corrupted or incompatible backup > click Delete Backup and then click Delete to confirm.

Tip 2: Locate your iPhone backup on computer and remove it

You can also locate the iTunes backup on your (Mac or Windows PC), and manually remove it from your computer. 

Situation 2: iTunes backup failed due to because an error occurred

If your iTunes backup couldn’t be completed due to an error occurred, follow the fixes below to have a try.

• Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
• Restart your computer and iPhone.
• Re-open iTunes on your computer.
• Make sure you have enough space on your computer to store the iPhone backup.
• Rename your old backup files.
• Remove iPhone backup in iTunes. (Refer to Situation 1.)

Situation 3: iTunes backup couldn’t be completed because the iPhone disconnected

If you see the notification “iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the iPhone disconnected” in iTunes, try the tips below:

• Use Apple USB cable or try another USB cable.
• Reset network settings on your iPhone.
• Switch on Airplane Mode or Low Power Mode on your iPhone.

Part 2: Two alternative ways to backup your iPhone without using iTunes (FREE)

Method 1: Backup your iPhone to computer with EaseUS MobiMover

If you prefer to backup your iPhone to PC, using iTunes is not the only way to do it. When you are facing the iTunes could not backup the iPhone issue, you can choose to use an iPhone backup software tool to backup your iPhone to computer.

With MobiMover installed on your PC, you can transfer files between an iOS device (iPhone/iPad in iOS 8 or later) and computer or between two iOS devices. Thus, you can not only backup your iPhone to computer but also transfer files from computer to iPhone if you need to.

What can MobiMover transfer or manage for you:

Photos: Camera Roll, Photo Library, Photo Stream, Photo Videos

Videos: Movies, TV shows, Music Videos

Audios: Music, Ringtones, Voice Memos, Audiobooks, Playlists

Others: Contacts, Notes, Messages, Voice Mails, Books, and Safari Bookmarks

Notes: The supported files vary, depending on the feature you use.

Now, follow the steps below to have a try.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone/iPad to your PC with a USB cable and click "Trust" on your device. Then launch EaseUS MobiMover and click "Backup Manager" > "Back up".

Step 2. Check the types of files you need to backup. Afterward, click the backup button to start backing up your iPhone or iPad.

Step 3. Depending on the size of the content, the time the backup will spend varies. Wait patiently for the backup to complete.

In addition to being an iOS data transfer tool, MobiMover can also serve as a free iPhone content manager that helps to delete/edit the existing files on your iPhone or add new items to your device from computer.

Method 2: Backup your iPhone to iCloud

Other than backing up your iPhone to computer, you can choose to backup your iPhone to iCloud storage. Here are the steps to do it.

Step 1: Open the Settings App on your iPhone.

Step 2: Go to [your name] > iCloud.

Step 3: Toggle on iCloud Backup and your iPhone data will be automatically backed up to iCloud when your device is plugged in, locked, and connected to WLAN. Or you can click Back Up Now to make a copy of your iPhone data right now.

However, using iCloud to backup your iPhone also has its shortcomings. For example, you can not access the backup files unless you restore your iPhone from iCloud backup. Besides, if you don't have enough iCloud storage left, you can't backup your iPhone to iCloud successfully. Luckily, if you use Method 1 to backup your iPhone, you can view the backup files whenever you want and eliminate your concerns of not having enough storage.