If iPhone was unable to backup its data to iCloud, you will see “iPhone Backup Failed” message on your device. You can find below various methods to fix this issue.
Backup Failed Error on iPhone
Depending on Notification Settings on your device, you may find “iPhone Backup Failed” error message appearing on the Lock Screen or the Settings screen of your iPhone.
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 iPhone is setup to backup its data to iCloud.
1. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
2. 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 that it is connected to WiFi network by going to Settings > WiFi and make sure that 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
As mentioned above, the most common reason for “iPhone Backup Failed” error message is due to lack of storage space in your iCloud Account.
1. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
2. On the next screen, take a look at the amount of storage space used and remaining in your iCloud Account.
If the amount of remaining iCloud storage is less than 2 GB, you need to make efforts to Free up iCloud storage space.
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.
1. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
2. 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.
1. Go to Settings > Apple ID > scroll down and tap on Sign Out.
2. 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 > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > On the pop-up, select Reset Network Settings option.
If prompted, enter your Lock Screen Password > On the confirmation pop-up, tap on Reset Network Settings to confirm.
After iPhone Restarts, connect iPhone to WiFi Network and see if you can Manually Backup iPhone to iCloud.