How to Fix iPhone 7 Plus That Won’t Backup to iCloud

Trying to back up your iPhone 7 Plus to iCloud and hitting a wall? Whether you’re seeing an error message or the backup just refuses to start, don’t worry — you’re definitely not alone. This guide will walk you through every fix you can try to get your iCloud backups working again.

Common Reasons Why Your iPhone 7 Plus Won’t Backup to iCloud

Before jumping into fixes, here are the two biggest reasons this issue happens:

Wi-Fi problems: iCloud backups require a strong, stable Wi-Fi connection.
Not enough iCloud storage: If your backup is too big for the free space you have left, it won’t work.

Other times, it could just be a glitch in your iCloud account or settings.

1. Make Sure You’re Connected to Wi-Fi

iCloud backups only happen over Wi-Fi — not cellular.

Here’s how to check:

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
Connect to a strong, stable Wi-Fi network (enter the password if needed).

Then try to back up again:

Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
Tap Back Up Now.

2. Check If You Have Enough iCloud Storage

If your iCloud is full, your backup won’t even start.

To check your storage:

Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Manage Storage.
See how much free space you have.

If storage is low:

Delete old backups you don’t need.
Manage and reduce what you’re backing up.
Or upgrade your iCloud plan by tapping Change Storage Plan.

3. Sign Out of iCloud and Sign Back In

Sometimes iCloud just needs a reset.

To refresh your iCloud account:

Go to Settings → [your name].
Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
Sign back in with your Apple ID and password.

Don’t worry — signing out doesn’t delete your data permanently. Your files are safe in iCloud and will sync back once you sign in again.

4. Reset All Settings

A messed-up setting might be blocking your backup.

To reset all settings:

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode if needed, then confirm.

This won’t erase your personal data (photos, apps, etc.), but it will reset Wi-Fi passwords, accessibility settings, and other preferences. After the reset, reconnect to Wi-Fi and try backing up again.

5. Perform a DFU Restore (If Nothing Else Works)

A DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore is a deep restore that reloads both the software and firmware on your iPhone. It’s the last resort before hardware repair.

Important: Only do this if your iPhone has no physical damage like water exposure. Otherwise, a DFU restore could completely brick the device.

To perform a DFU restore:

Connect your iPhone to your computer with a Lightning cable.
Open iTunes (or Finder if you’re using a Mac on macOS Catalina or later).
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and Volume Down button together for 8 seconds.
Release the Sleep/Wake button but keep holding Volume Down until iTunes or Finder detects the phone in recovery mode.
If the screen stays black, you’re successfully in DFU mode.
Follow the prompts to Restore your iPhone.

After restoring, set your iPhone up and try backing up to iCloud again.

Still Not Working?

If iCloud backup still fails after trying all these steps, it’s time to reach out to Apple Support. There could be an account-related issue, or your device may need deeper diagnostics.