iPhone Backup Taking Forever? - How to Speed Up iPhone Backup

Updated on Jun 19, 2024 | by Woodward

Quick Navigation:

Part 1.How Long Does It Take to Back up iPhone
Part 2. Why Is My iPhone Backup Taking Forever
Part 3.Solutions to Fix "iPhone Backup Taking Forever" Issue
Solution 1. Using iTunes/iCloud alternatives to back up iPhone X/8/7/6
Solution 2. Back up your iPhone more frequently
Solution 3. Remove unused apps or unwanted files from your iPhone
Solution 4. Disable Large app and files backup
Solution 5. Switch off useless backup
Solution 6. Check your internet connection
The Bottom Line

Backing up an iPhone is crucial as it allows you to recover lost data from backups in case of data loss. Traditionally, you can backup your iPhone and iPad via iTunes or iCloud, but both methods can be time-consuming. Many users complain about the slow speed of backing up via iCloud and iTunes, prompting the need for this post to help users understand why their iPhone backup is taking forever and how to speed up the process, including tips on how to make iCloud backup faster.

Part 1.How Long Does It Take to Back up iPhone

The time it takes to backup an iPhone via iTunes or iCloud can vary depending on several factors, including the type and amount of data, the condition of the device and internet connection, and the specific service being used. Generally, iTunes backups are faster than iCloud backups, but both services can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to complete, depending on the specific circumstances.

How long does an iCloud backup take?

An iCloud backup typically takes around 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete, depending on the number of files, internet connection, and device condition, and can be faster if backed up regularly.

How long does an iTunes backup take?

The speed of iTunes backups is influenced by factors such as data amount, network speed, and device condition, similar to iCloud backups. However, iTunes generally outperforms iCloud due to the local storage of backups on the computer, whereas iCloud stores backups remotely in the cloud.

Part 2. Why Is My iPhone Backup Taking Forever

iCloud/iTunes backups can take a long time due to various reasons. One possible cause is the size of your iPhone's data, which can be extensive if you have a lot of apps, photos, and other files stored on your device. Additionally, the backup process may be slowed down by network connectivity issues, such as a slow internet connection or a full backup storage. Furthermore, if you have a lot of large files, such as videos or music, being backed up, it can also contribute to the delay.

Too many data-heavy apps.
Too many media files like photos, videos, and so on.
Unreliable internet connection.
The first backup of a new device will take significantly longer than subsequent backups.

If your iPhone backup is taking too long, it's likely due to large amounts of data, such as photos, videos, or apps, being backed up. To speed up the process, try backing up only the essential data, such as contacts, calendar events, and messages.

Part 3.Solutions to Fix "iPhone Backup Taking Forever" Issue

Here are some solutions to fix the issue where one backup takes forever: check for disk space issues, check for disk errors, check for network connectivity issues, run a disk cleanup, run a disk defragmentation, and lastly, check for any software or plugin updates. You can follow these steps to get the job done.

Solution 1. Using iTunes/iCloud alternatives to back up iPhone X/8/7/6

If the speed of iCloud/iTunes backups is limited by various factors, consider using a faster backup tool like Qiling MobiMover, a versatile iOS data manager that can back up all popular iOS data from your iPhone to your computer at an extraordinary speed, especially ideal for transferring large amounts of photos, videos, and media files. Additionally, it serves as a Twitch clip downloader, allowing you to easily download wanted videos from Twitch.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1.Connect your iPhone to your PC, trust the computer, and launch Qiling MobiMover. Go to "Backup Manager" and select "Back up" to initiate the backup process.

Step 2.Since all the supported files are selected by default, click "One-Click Backup" directly to start backing up your iPhone to computer.

Step 3. Wait patiently until the backup process completes. To restore a backup, go to the Backup Manager, select the desired backup and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the restore process.

Solution 2. Back up your iPhone more frequently

When backing up an iPhone to a computer with iTunes or iCloud, the first backup is often slow due to the initial transfer of all files from the iPhone. However, regular backups become faster as only new or changed files need to be transferred, making the process more efficient over time.

Solution 3. Remove unused apps or unwanted files from your iPhone

Backing up too many heavy-To speed up iPhone backup, try deleting unwanted apps and removing unused files like photos, videos, and audios. This can help reduce the backup speed.

Solution 4. Disable Large app and files backup

To disable apps that occupy a lot of space on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then tap on "General", followed by "iPhone Storage" or "iPad Storage", and select the app you want to disable. You can then toggle off the app to prevent it from running in the background and consuming space. This will not delete the app entirely, but rather disable it, freeing up storage space.

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. To disable iCloud backup for an app, go to your name at the top left corner of the screen, then tap on iCloud, and finally toggle off the switch next to the app's name to prevent it from backing up to iCloud.

Disable App Backup via iCloud

Solution 5. Switch off useless backup

Disabling unnecessary iCloud backups can help speed up iPhone backup, but first, ensure you have a local copy of your iPhone data. To turn off useless backup, you can follow a specific process.

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. To manage your iCloud storage, go to Settings, tap your name, then select General, followed by Storage & iCloud Usage, and finally Manage Storage in iCloud.

Step 3. Select the name of the device whose backup you want to delete, then tap "Delete Backup" and choose either "Turn Off" or "Delete."

Turn off iCloud backup

Solution 6. Check your internet connection

A slow internet connection can make backing up your iPhone slow. To fix this, try switching to a more stable and faster WiFi or internet bandwidth.

The Bottom Line

If you're experiencing the "iPhone backup taking forever" issue, the fixes outlined in this post should resolve the problem. By understanding how long it takes to back up an iPhone and the reasons behind the slow backup process, you'll be able to tackle this issue with confidence.