iCloud automatically syncs all of your content to all of your devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and PC. It’s a great service, and it’s free. This article explains the problems with iCloud back up that you may encounter on your iOS device.
iCloud Requirements
iCloud services will work only on the devices that meet the system requirements below. Make sure that your system meets these requirements:
- An Apple ID
- iOS 5 update or later for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
- OS X Lion 10.7.2 or later for Mac
- Microsoft Windows 7 or Vista (Service Pack 2 or later) for PC
General troubleshooting
- iCloud Backup requires a Wi-Fi internet connection.
- If you have a lot of data iCloud backups and restores may take time.
- iCloud Backup can fail if you do not have at least 50 MB of available disk space on your device.
- Automatic backups happen when your device is plugged in with the screen locked, and also connected to Wi-Fi.
- While you are downloading apps or songs, backups will not occur. It’s a good idea to let it finish.
- If you have Airplane Mode enabled, make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled as well.
- Make sure that you have enough iCloud space. If you don’t, you can reduce the amount of data you want to download by changing your backup options OR buy more iCloud storage (you can downgrade your storage plan later if you wish).
- If you encounter “Backup Not Supported” message, this means that a specific app causing problems. You may want to contact the app’s producer.
iCloud account troubleshooting
First of all, make sure that you are actively logged in to iCloud with your Apple ID on your device. To check this:
- iPhone, iPad and iPod: Settings > iCloud
- Mac: Apple menu, choose System Preferences, and click iCloud.
- PC: Control Panel and then open iCloud.
If you receive an “authentication failed” message, make sure that your username and password is correct by trying to log in appleid.apple.com (Manage your Account link). Reset your Apple ID if necessary.
Find My iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac not working?
You can locate, display a message on, remotely lock, and wipe your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac with iCloud. If you are having problems, try these tips:
- Make sure that the date on your device is correct: Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Make sure that your iCloud account is configured on your device.
- If you have multiple iCloud accounts, only one can have “Find My iPhone” turned on at a given time.
- “Find My Mac” can only find your Mac if it is connected to an internet via a known Wi-Fi internet connection. If you are connected to the Internet via an Ethernet cable, this feature will not work.
- Your device must be ON not powered off.
Other notes:
- iCloud accounts are not available in all countries. When using icloud.com make sure that you enable your browser’s cookies and JavaScript. If these tips do not help you, contact iCloud Support for assistance.
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.
In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.
Joel praise says
My iCloud is not working
Valerie badillo says
I can’t log into my Apple ID my phone n bloutooth are hacked help with my device i don’t have a watch or iPad n it says so m light to camera is also always on my records everything n camera is live why I feel harassed please help I can’t even make phone calls or receive any emails arnt coming in I need to log in my I’d it hasn’t let me out n a month I’m very upset this is nerve racking I’ve had enough I’m being hacked buy a android device or another device with copyrighted apps this is wrong
Milton Lopes says
I’m having problem communicating with my iCloud,When i try to sign in it’s saying “Unable to sign in because of a problem communicating with iCloud”.
Michael Tobi says
To Whom It May Concern
I brought a second ipod touch 7th generation, i could not log in my i icoud, it say i have reach my maximum limit.
Pls kindly help me.
Thanks
Tobl.
SK says
Hi Michael,
When you see this message, it means that you cannot create any new iCloud/Apple ID accounts on that particular device. See this article for a thorough explanation.
If you have access to another iDevice or a Mac, try creating an Apple ID on that device and then enter those details into your new-to-you iPod Touch 7th gen.
Sam
Fasilo Yitbarek says
thanks ios
Bernie says
Why is it that when I change sim to another unit . it wouldn’t
Process iCloud .
,
Sonis says
My iCloud back up is not working. Why is this?
Reagan Kabwe says
I have forgotten my password for my icloud account (reagan.kabwe@icloud.com)please to retrieve it.
Lawal AbiodunI says
Terribly frustrating! iCloud not working for me.Done everything possible.Only uploaded 53pics and been showing ‘uploading ‘ others since.I av tried verifying on my trusted devices the codes sent to my iPad but it kept telling me cant process request. Pls help!
Karen powell says
Having problems with our IPad mini. Going into emails and the screen freezes. Any ideas please ?
Sandra Kalinowski says
Can’t get my e-mails on my phone
Angel says
iCloud is not working on my iPad mini. Downloaded latest iOS, configured iCloud. I amable to browse my content in the cloud but it freezes whenever I try to upload something from it.
Irritating.
khalid says
My iCloud is don’t deleted or my find my phone is not on but i can access my iCloud on pc then i opened find my phone not phone registered message please help meeeeeee
Michael says
iCloud is not working for me at all. Across all my devices no uploads are working. It just hangs for hours. Backups don’t work, photo library does not upload. This all started happening when I updated to the new software. What is happening to apple?
Ma-Gyver says
for past 2 weeks the app mission119 from icloud does not “open.” I tried deleting app and reloading mission119. Still not opening! I loaded battery doctor to concentrate space. I changed apple password and reloaded mission119. No change. When I try to open, the front screen shows pages turning as if it will work but after 25 seconds later the front screen is still turning pages.
Any suggestions?
Pat says
Not working after I downloaded 8.0
Anita St. Amand says
my Icloud only brings over some of my pictures not all?
Jhon says
When i stared the aplication on my Windows 7 and then i put my account and password and then star to log in then appear a message that it said
icloud stop working windows will close the app.
hayley says
When I go into icloud and press manage backups, my screen freezes and I can’t get out of this system preferences page