Several users have reported that when they attempt to create an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch backup, they get the following error message: iTunes could not back up the iPad/iPhone/iPod because an error occurred.
If your issue was not solved, it may be that you have a corruption in your current back up files: To resolve this: First; Back up your backup: iTunes stores the backup files in the following locations:
Windows XP:\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Windows Vista and Windows 7:\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Locate your back up files and get a copy of your backup; then go to iTunes > Preferences > Devices > Device backups. This is where you can delete older backups. Delete the current back up and try again to see if the issue is fixed.
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the 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.
This is my fix.
My problem was caused by a dummy app, I removed it through iPhone’s SETTING, GENERAL, USAGE, MANAGE USAGE.
Look for empty app name or blank icon. Remove the app.
Try to backup again, if fail again, check for the LOG of your iTunes.
For Windows, go to
a) C:\Users\XXXXXX\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Logs
b) Open the log, and see what’s the problem. For my case there problem was
[11132 @ Fri Oct 09 21:27:23 2015] [com.apple.console AppleMobileBackup.exe] ERROR: Backup message response: 101 Unable to open domain directory: No such file or directory (2) at path “/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/8E726549-3ED1-4171-818A-12B66843C156″ (MBErrorDomain/101)
c) For my case, this App ” 8E726549-3ED1-4171-818A-12B66843C156 ” caused the problem. So I just browse into my iPhone’s directory using iExplorer, and create a folder with the same name. Note: My iPhone is jailbroken.
Then I manage to backup my phone.
Note: If you see similar error message, thats mean it’s caused by an APP. Just try to delete more app and try to backup again.
Good Luck!
There are other solutions on this website too but this applied to my situation.
Apparently I was connecting through a USB Hub.
The connection has to be directly to the PC. There should only be the keyboard, mouse and the iPhone or other iOS devices connected to the PC directly via USB, remove any other USB connections and do not connect these via a USB HUb.
Still … In spite of trying everything, including iOS 8.1, iTunes comes out with an error message evrytime I try to backup my iPad3 64GB. Works well with my other devices, including an iPad3 16GB. I don’t know what else to do!
Before the last iOS update my 64GB iPad3 was backing up ok in iTunes. After the iOS 8.0.2 update, all my iPhones, and my other 16GB iPad3 backed up ok, but my 64GB iPad3 never did, always showing an error message. “iTunes could not backup the iPad “xxxxxxx” because an error occurred”. I wonder if this is a iTunes or Apple bug related to the new iOS and 64GB iPads. I have been a great fan of Apple, but, lately, Apple has been the master of bugs, forgetting that there is strong competition out there (example: Samsung), which, if they continue with this careless behavior of using unskilled and unprofessional software programmers/managers, will take away a big chunk of their business.
@Dem
Appdata is a hidden folder so you need to (windows 7) go to a folder click organise/Folder options go to the View Tab and tick Show Hidden Files then click apply to all folders.
Im sorry but i have a windows 7 and the first step did not work, so i attempted to fix it the other way by:
“If your issue was not solved, it may be that you have a corruption in your current back up files: To resolve this: First; Back up your backup: iTunes stores the backup files in the following locations”
but i cannot seem to find the first step that it tells me to do.. clicking on users and then appdata..
I cannot even find the users button
Read read this from somewhere. Applied it and it worked.
Apparently I was connecting through a USB Hub.
The connection has to be directly to the PC. There should only be the keyboard, mouse and the iPhone connected to the PC directly via USB, remove any other USB connections and do not connect these via a USB HUb.
Hi, tried the above… doesn’t work for me. It’s only when I kill the backup task in windows task manager does the sync process carry on with a error (about the failed backup) at the end.. Any other good idea’s out there?
If you have a backup that is corrupt you may want to try the iPhone Backup Extractor tool: http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com/free-download/. The application should be able to extract data from a corrupt iPhone backup folder.There are some instances where an iTunes process failing can remove data, it is quite rare but still possible.
do i need to register this tool? because its asking for a key.. if u kindly let me know if it’ll work without registering this tool then i’m glad to try it out.. thanks in advance
This is my fix.
My problem was caused by a dummy app, I removed it through iPhone’s SETTING, GENERAL, USAGE, MANAGE USAGE.
Look for empty app name or blank icon. Remove the app.
Try to backup again, if fail again, check for the LOG of your iTunes.
For Windows, go to
a) C:\Users\XXXXXX\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Logs
b) Open the log, and see what’s the problem. For my case there problem was
[11132 @ Fri Oct 09 21:27:23 2015] [com.apple.console AppleMobileBackup.exe] ERROR: Backup message response: 101 Unable to open domain directory: No such file or directory (2) at path “/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/8E726549-3ED1-4171-818A-12B66843C156″ (MBErrorDomain/101)
c) For my case, this App ” 8E726549-3ED1-4171-818A-12B66843C156 ” caused the problem. So I just browse into my iPhone’s directory using iExplorer, and create a folder with the same name. Note: My iPhone is jailbroken.
Then I manage to backup my phone.
Note: If you see similar error message, thats mean it’s caused by an APP. Just try to delete more app and try to backup again.
Good Luck!
The problem that I found was causing the backup errors was an app called tap pet hotel. removed the app and all is well.
Hi All,
Try this. Read this solution from here.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203271
There are other solutions on this website too but this applied to my situation.
Apparently I was connecting through a USB Hub.
The connection has to be directly to the PC. There should only be the keyboard, mouse and the iPhone or other iOS devices connected to the PC directly via USB, remove any other USB connections and do not connect these via a USB HUb.
Hope these would help.
Cheers,
Alvin
Still … In spite of trying everything, including iOS 8.1, iTunes comes out with an error message evrytime I try to backup my iPad3 64GB. Works well with my other devices, including an iPad3 16GB. I don’t know what else to do!
fix up speed up
Before the last iOS update my 64GB iPad3 was backing up ok in iTunes. After the iOS 8.0.2 update, all my iPhones, and my other 16GB iPad3 backed up ok, but my 64GB iPad3 never did, always showing an error message. “iTunes could not backup the iPad “xxxxxxx” because an error occurred”. I wonder if this is a iTunes or Apple bug related to the new iOS and 64GB iPads. I have been a great fan of Apple, but, lately, Apple has been the master of bugs, forgetting that there is strong competition out there (example: Samsung), which, if they continue with this careless behavior of using unskilled and unprofessional software programmers/managers, will take away a big chunk of their business.
PERFECT!!!
Thanks anyway… 🙂
I deleted the BackUps I had form my new iPad and tryied to make a new BackUp and nothing. The same message. Do Apple cares about this old problem?
@Dem
Appdata is a hidden folder so you need to (windows 7) go to a folder click organise/Folder options go to the View Tab and tick Show Hidden Files then click apply to all folders.
I tried everything and nothing worked :/
Im sorry but i have a windows 7 and the first step did not work, so i attempted to fix it the other way by:
“If your issue was not solved, it may be that you have a corruption in your current back up files: To resolve this: First; Back up your backup: iTunes stores the backup files in the following locations”
but i cannot seem to find the first step that it tells me to do.. clicking on users and then appdata..
I cannot even find the users button
pls help
It did not work for me. THe error message still show ‘iTune could not backup XYZ ipad2 because the back up could not be saved in the computer.
Hey Dave, try this.
Read read this from somewhere. Applied it and it worked.
Apparently I was connecting through a USB Hub.
The connection has to be directly to the PC. There should only be the keyboard, mouse and the iPhone connected to the PC directly via USB, remove any other USB connections and do not connect these via a USB HUb.
Hope these would help.
Cheers,
Alvin
Thanks dear, it works: iTunes > Preferences > Devices > delete backups. Sync you phone again for a new backup.
Hi, tried the above… doesn’t work for me. It’s only when I kill the backup task in windows task manager does the sync process carry on with a error (about the failed backup) at the end.. Any other good idea’s out there?
Hi,
If you have a backup that is corrupt you may want to try the iPhone Backup Extractor tool: http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com/free-download/. The application should be able to extract data from a corrupt iPhone backup folder.There are some instances where an iTunes process failing can remove data, it is quite rare but still possible.
Best,
do i need to register this tool? because its asking for a key.. if u kindly let me know if it’ll work without registering this tool then i’m glad to try it out.. thanks in advance