Several users have reported that iTunes display “iTunes could not backup iPhone because the iPhone disconnected”; when attempting to create an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch backup. Here is how you can resolve backup errors:
After performing each steps, please check to see if the issue is resolved.
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Before doing anything, you may want to back up your backup. Find your back up and copy to a safe place. You can find your back up files:
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
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\
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Resolution
- Restart the computer and the iOS device (iPad, iPod touch, iPhone).
- Ensure you are using a USB port directly on the computer.
- Disconnect all USB devices and cables, except your keyboard and mouse and restart your computer and try to back up.
- Update to the latest available version of iTunes and your computer’s operating system (OS)
- Try disabling your antivirus program, if any
- It’s possible that your backup is corrupted, you can try deleting the backup. To do this, launch iTunes > Preferences (Windows: Choose Edit > Preferences; Mac: Choose iTunes > Preferences). this will fix the problem if the backup is corrupt.
Related:
- iTunes could not back up the iPad/iPhone/iPod because an error occurred error, how to fix
- iPhone could not backup because backup file was corrupt or not compatible, fix
- iPad / iPhone /iPod could not be synced because the sync session failed to start; fix
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.
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A combination of disabling my antivirus (Malwarebytes) on my PC and resetting the network settings in the general menu section of my iPhone 6 plus did the trick for me.
Many thanks
I fixed the issue when mine kept disconnected by switching to a USB 2.0 port. USB 3 port seemed to be causing the issue, making it disconnect then reboot.
Let me tell you guys what FINALLY worked for me after nearly 14 hours of trying:
Closed ITunes then disconnected iPhone & deleted old backup in finder. Then deleted ALL contents in lockdown folder but NOT the folder itself (this is VERY important), then rebooted BOTH my MBA & my iPhone 6 Plus & THEN re-connected my iPhone & then (and this is KEY RIGHT HERE I canNOT stress this enough) PUT IPHONE IN AIRPLANE MODE. Then & ONLY then was I FINALLY able to perform a backup (twice now after after just over 14 hours of not once) with NO errors!! The issue seems to be in the network settings interfering with the iPhones’ ability to stay connected to iTunes via your USB port.
I hope this works for those like myself whom had been BEYOND frustrated with this issue but still loves our iPhones as much as we do!
Finally!!! A solution that worked! I was getting frustrated that I am not able to have a backup of my iPhone for a couple of months already. I made a copy of the backup folder, then deleted it through iTunes>Preferences, though I also disabled on-access viruscan so either that or the old backup really got corrupted. Doesn’t matter to me anymore because I successfully backed up my iPhone again! Thanks!!!
Hi. I’m with the guys from iPhone Backup Extractor. I will add that the Windows 8 default backup location is the same as Windows 7 (for newly Windows 8 users – like myself) and that if you have previous locally created backups or corrupt ones that you want to extract data from and import it back to your iDevice third party apps can help.
hello am having trouble back up my iPhone on windows8 i have instill the new version of iTunes ans it will not back up my iPhone every time i try to back up my iPhone when i connect with a usb it would say that that iTunes cant backup your iPhone because it was disconnected