Why and How to Fix iPhone Not Backing up to Computer

Some errors can cause iPhone not backing up to computer but this passage will give you 6 solutions to fix the issue efficiently or you can use a better iTunes alternative to back up iPhone to PC.

Dylan

By Dylan / Updated on September 14, 2024

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Trouble backing up iPhone.

I'm truly stumped on this issue and I am unsure what to do anymore. TLDR at the bottom.With the iPhone 16 PM, I can not back up to the computer. I have tried 4/5 different cables but still can't make it. Why can't I back up my iPhone to computer?

- Question from Apple Community

iPhone not backing up to computer

iPhone is loved by thousands of users. You can use it to take pictures, communicate with friends, and enjoy thousands of apps with the stable iOS. Someday, you might need to export data to have more space on iPhone or you just want to save some important information, so you need to backup iPhone.

iTunes is commonly chosen by iPhone users to backup iPhone to computer but sometimes users have the problems that iPhone not showing in iTunes or iPhone not backing up to iTunes. There are some factors which could lead to problems. You can find the reason and solutions in the following content.

iTunes backup failed

Why iPhone won't back up to PC?

When backing up iPhone to computer with iTunes, you connect iPhone to computer with a USB cable, so there could be 3 reasons for your failed iPhone backup:

1. The physical connection cannot be built.

2. iTunes is incompatible with the current iOS.

3. Computer cannot recognize iPhone or store iPhone backup.

Before you try the solutions, you can restart iPhone and computer to fresh the system.

iTunes Logo

How to fix when iPhone won't backup to computer

If iTunes won’t backup or sync iPhone, the 6 solutions will help you troubleshoot the problems with both hardware and software.

#1. Change USB cable

Why can't you see iPhone on computer? The connection might not be able to be built even if you can use the cable to charge iPhone. You can try a new cable that supports transferring data between iPhone and computer.

iTunes Disconnected

#2. Try another USB port

The port you are using might be loose or broken. If you left the ports unused for a long time, the connection would be affected so the USB port could only be used to charge your device or be of totally no use. You can try another port on your PC to connect your iPhone.

#3. Disable antivirus software

There are proven case that sometimes Malwarebytes could block iTunes connection and cause iTunes backup session failed. Temporarily disable firewall and antivirus will help connect iPhone to iTunes.

#4. Install Apple driver

Apple mobile device USB drive is required by iTunes to connect your iPhone to the computer. Sometimes you need to manually update the driver.

Right-click the Start Button on the desktop > Select Device Manager > Select Portable Devices > Find your device > Right-click on the device name > Select Update driver > Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Update Apple Driver

#5. Update software

Make sure you have the latest iOS and the latest version of iTunes. If you have used iTunes before but find iPhone not backing up to computer issue this time, you can update both iOS and iTunes to fix it.

#6. Change iTunes backup location

Make sure that there’s enough storage in the partition. iTunes would save your backup in C Drive by default. If you find C Drive is almost full, you can change the backup location to another partition or move iPhone backup to external drive.

If you still have other questions, seeking support from the authority would be a good choice. You can contact the Apple Support or the support of the software you are using.

Better iTunes alternative to flexibly back up iPhone to PC

If iPhone backup keeps failing with iTunes, you can try a new tool to take care of your iPhone data. AOMEI FoneBackup could be your plan B. It is a free professional iPhone backup software, that allows you to copy photos, videos, messages, contacts, and music from iPhone to PC within a few steps.

🌟Highlights:
yes You can use AOMEI FoneBackup to selectively or fully back up iPhone while iTunes only supports full backup.
yes Unlike iTunes' frequent unknown errors, AOMEI FoneBackup runs stably on Windows 11/10/8/7 PC. 
yes You can directly view and find the backups from the computer and don't need any iPhone backup extractors to make it.
yes Fast backup speed allows you to accomplish the backup efficiently and saves lots of time.
yes Its wide compatibility supports various iPhone models and iOS versions, including the latest ones.

Now you can follow the guidance below to get how to back up iPhone on Windows PC. You can go to Part 1 to selectively back up your iPhone or go to Part 2 to fully back up iPhone.

Part 1. Selectively back up iPhone to Windows 11/10/8/7

Step 1. Download AOMEI FoneBackup for free. Connect iPhone to computer and tap Trust on it.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 2. Click Phone Backup > Locate Selective Backup and click Get Started. You could click an icon to select files in the folder. After selecting the needed files, click OK to return.

Select files

Step 3. Click the button Start Backup and your task will be completed soon.

Click Start Backup

Part 2. Fully back up iPhone to computer

Step 1. Launch AOMEI FoneBackup and connect your iPhone to the computer > If asked, tap on Trust on your iPhone to comtinune.

Step 2. Go to Phone Backup > Choose Full Backup > Click on Get Started

start to fully backup iPhone

Step 3. If necessary, you can check Enable Backup Encryption option to encrypt private data such as Fitness records, Health and Keychain > Choose Backup Storage Path to change the backup location on PC > Click Start Backup to begin the task.

full backup

If you need to view or restore your backup, you can go to My Backups page > Click the View or Restore icon to finish the process.

restore backup

Conclusion

From this passage, you can know why iPhone not backing up to computer and the problem can be solved by the above 6 solutions. If you have already been tired of iTunes errors, you can try the free iPhone backup software named AOMEI FoneBackup to save iPhone to computer in a new way to free up iPhone storage or protect important information.

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Dylan
Dylan · Editor
Dylan is an editor of mobile backup software. He likes to share the latest news about iPhone and iOS, write useful tips, and give solutions to help people solve all kinds of issues.