The Last Backup Could Not Be Completed on iPhone – How to Fix it

Updated Jun 06,2018 | by Micky

iCloud, which is a renowned third-party online service for iOS, makes it more convenient to back up data for iPhone and iPad. However, sometimes users complain they meet trouble when using iCloud on iPhone that when the backup process is going on, there comes a frustrating notification which tells you the last backup could not be completed. How to fix it? After doing some researches on my own, I find several practical solutions.

Method 1 Clear iCloud Storage

iCloud only offers a 5-GB-free storage which is far from enough for average users. It can easily run out if you aren’t willing to pay for extra space.

iCloud backup failure could happen when there is not enough space left in iCloud. So, it’s time to do some cleaning when iCloud backup could not be completed.

1.       Go to Settings > iCloud > Storage, check the available storage. If there is no storage space left or only a little, click on “Manage Storage”.

2.       Tap on your iPhone and tap on the red button “Delete Backup” or toggle the item buttons to the left and confirm “Turn off and Delete”. After that, check whether iCloud backup works again.

Method 2 Upgrade iOS to the Latest Version

Sometimes, an iCloud backup glitch can be fixed after an iOS update that brings a certain patch. So, if your device is running on a rather old iOS version and iCloud backup cannot be completed, try upgrading it to the newest version.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update, wait for the analysis to be accomplished. If you’re prompted to install the latest update, just follow the onscreen guide step by step.

Method 3 Turn to iTunes for Help

If the methods given above don’t work out, you can consider using iTunes which is as notable as iCloud in iOS backup.

1.       Open iTunes on PC and get your iPhone connected.

2.       If a notification pops up asking you to trust the computer or your password, follow the onscreen guide.

3.       Select your iPhone when it appears in iTunes.

4.       Click on “Back Up Now” to get started.

iTunes makes you back up the whole iOS data on iPhone or iPad within several clicks which seems convenient. However, it also becomes a critical drawback. Because you can not choose which file to back up and once you back up a certain kind of file, for example, photos, all others like contacts, videos, and music will be backed up together. 

Method 4 Use the Best iCloud Alternative for iPhone Backup

What should be your first choice when iCloud the last backup could not be completed? In terms of what I say above, iTunes doesn’t seem to be the best choice in every respect for the inconvenience it brings. But whether there is another alternative if all the given solutions fail?

IOTransfer, the user-friendly and feature-rich software, enables its users to back up nearly all kinds of iOS data with no more than 3 steps. Unlike its counterpart iTunes, users can choose to back up a certain kind of data or all data on iPhone. What’s more, for the whole process is offline, the backup speed will no longer be restrained by network speed like what iCloud and iTunes cause and in this case, the backup can be much safer.

How to Back up iPhone within 3 Steps

Step 1 Connect iPhone to PC

Install and launch IOTransfer, connect your iPhone to PC and wait till it’s recognized. If the notification “Trust This Computer” pops up, click on “Trust”

Step 2 Transfer Photos, Music, Videos, and Contacts to PC

Straightforwardly, on the interface, you can set a transfer path and then tick off the 4 categories “ Photos, Music, Videos, and Contacts” and click on “Transfer to PC” to back them all up to your computer once for all.

Step 3 More Backup Options

Click on “VIDEOS” at the top. In the opened windows, select a category in the left list and choose the file you want to back up by ticking off the tiny box before it. Click on “Export” to transfer the file to the folder you previously set on PC.

That’s all about how to do when the last backup could not be completed on iPhone. In order to make iPhone backup safer, simpler, and faster, we strongly recommend you to give the ultimate iPhone transfer software a shot!

Related Readings for Reference

1.       How to Fix iCloud Not Working on iPhone

2.       5 Ways to Fix “iPhone Won’t Back up to iCloud”

3.       How to Free up iCloud Storage

Related Readings for Reference