iCloud backup failed on iPhone or iPad? Here are reasons and solutions

iCloud backup makes it convenient to keep your data secure and within reach. Therefore, it can be annoying to run into the ‘iCloud Backup Failed’ error. This is relatively common, but the good news is that you can try several solutions to fix it. Let’s dig deeper and learn what causes and how to fix the iCloud backup failure issue.

Why does iCloud backup fail on iPhone?

Some of the most common reasons why your iCloud backup might fail are:

Your iPhone is not connected to a stable WiFi network.
Your storage is full.
Your iOS device isn’t connected to a power source.

So, first, ensure that your phone is connected to a WiFi network and a power supply. Then, try the tips below to fix the iCloud backup failed issue.

Check Apple’s system status page
Check iCloud Settings
How to check and clear iCloud storage
Sign out of your iCloud account
Reset all settings
Backup your iPhone using iTunes or Finder

1. Check Apple’s system status page

It may be possible that you’re unable to back up your device due to a server issue on Apple’s side. Therefore, the first thing to do is to visit Apple System Support Page to check the status of iCloud. If there’s a problem, it will show up with an orange indicator, while a green indicator means everything is working as it should. If so, move on to the next steps below.

Check iCloud Backup System is Working on Apple System Support Page

2. Check iCloud settings

You can check whether the iCloud backup is turned on by visiting the iPhone settings. To do so, follow these simple steps.

Open the Settings app.
Tap on your name – first option.
Go to iCloud settings.
Scroll down and choose iCloud Backup.
If the toggle is off, turn it on.
In the end, hit Back Up Now to immediately start backing up your iPhone.

3. Check and clear up iCloud storage

iCloud provides you with 5GB of free storage space to back up your data. If your iCloud storage has already reached this limit, you can’t back up more data without upgrading your plan. In this case, it’s better to check the storage space and free up data, if needed. Here’s how you can do it.

Launch the Settings app.
Tap on your name and select iCloud.
View the storage space at the top.

If the storage is full, learn how to delete backups to free up some space.

4. Sign out of your iCloud account

If you cannot back up your data even after deleting old files, you can try signing out of the iCloud account and back in.

Go to the Settings app
Tap on your Name.
Scroll down and tap Sign Out.

Signing out of your iCloud account means that you’ve to remove the Apple ID from your device. In such a case, remember your Apple ID and password that you’ve to re-enter while signing in again.

5. Reset all settings

You can go ahead with this step and try if the iCloud backup has started working again.

Open the Settings app.
Go to General.
Scroll down and tap Reset.
Select Reset All Settings.

Note: Applying this function will only forget WiFi connections and reset network settings to default. It won’t affect any other settings on your iPhone.

6. Backup your iPhone using iTunes or Finder

If none of the ways worked, try backing up your data using a computer. It’s the ultimate way to safely and manually back up your device.

Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac through the Lightning to USB cable.
Open Finder.
Click on your device name.
Click General at the top of the Finder window, then select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
If you want to secure your backup, choose Encrypt local backup.
Once done, hit Back Up Now.