Osnivo Fix

Can't back up to a computer or restore from it

Apple: “If you can't back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a computer, or if you can't restore your device from a computer backup, learn what to do.”

iPhone iPad · 9 steps, in Apple's order

Step of 9

Fixed at step

You've tried every step

1

Update your computer

Didn't fix it
- Make sure your Mac or PC is up-to-date. Make sure that you have the latest version of the Apple Devices app or the latest version of iTunes.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
2

Connect with a USB cable

Didn't fix it
- Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable, and locate your device on your computer.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
3

Restart all your devices

Didn't fix it
- Restart all your devices.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
4

Windows: check security software

Windows PC only Didn't fix it
- If you use a Mac, skip this step. If you use a Windows PC and iTunes won't respond or your backup never finishes, you might need to update, change, disable, or uninstall your security software.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
5

Try another computer, or iCloud

Didn't fix it
- If you own more than one computer, try to make a backup on your other Mac or PC. Or, use iCloud to back up your device and restore from your iCloud backup.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
6

"An error occurred"?

Didn't fix it
- If a message says that your computer can't back up your device because an error occurred, check that you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
7

"Not enough disk space"?

Didn't fix it
- If a message says there’s not enough disk space when you try to back up your device, free some space on your Mac or PC.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
8

"Corrupt or incompatible" backup?

Didn't fix it
- If your iOS or iPadOS device can't restore from a backup because the backup is corrupt or incompatible, make sure that your computer is updated. If you see an error that says your iOS or iPadOS software is too old, find out how to update your device to restore the backup. If you still can't restore the backup, you might not be able to use that backup. Try to use an alternate backup or an iCloud backup.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Did this fix it?
!

Contact Apple Support

If nothing above worked Didn't fix it
- If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup, contact Apple Support.
Apple: If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup ↗

Glad it's fixed

We've added one to this step's “fixed it” count — anonymously, nothing about you or your device is stored. It helps the next reader start with what works.

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Sources for this page

1 If you can't back up your iOS or iPadOS device to a computer or restore it from a backup support.apple.com

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