You want to restore your precious iPhone data via iTunes, but unable to do so because your data was corrupted. That could be a scary experience, especially when you’re trying to restore your data from your iPhone. This has happened due to the files somewhere got corrupt or the software on iTunes is not compatible.

If you’re victimized with the same consequence, you’re landed on the right page. Follow the troubleshooting guide that we’ve managed to prepare you that will help you to resolve iTunes Unable to Backup or Restore Because the Backup was a corrupted issue. This troubleshooting guide is applicable on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, so without wasting much of your time, let’s get started.

How did my backup got corrupted?

When you try to restore the data on iPhone via iTunes, the message accompanies as “iTunes could not back up the [iPhone] because the backup was corrupt or not compatible with the [iPhone].”

Mind you, iTunes uses incremental backups which means iTunes only copies the new data whenever you update your backup, that’s it does not take time for the process. However, incremental backups are prone to persistent errors. A file that is already existing on your backup copied incorrectly, which will present on the upcoming created backup as well. Those files stack up and go on copied on new backup.

This how the backup gets corrupted, when you try to restore the backup.

What to do when you see the error message?

When you see the error message about the corrupted data when your try to restore it using iTunes. Follow the troubleshooting steps mentioned below. As mentioned above, this is applicable to every iDevices.

Step 1: Update your device with latest version of iOS and iTunes

First, we will try to eliminate the “not compatible” error, for that, you need to get on the latest version of iOS and iTunes.

Update the software on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Visit Settings > General > Software Update. Let the device check the available update, if there’s one present download and install it.

Update iTunes on Mac: Visit Apple > About This Mac > Software Update. Let the system check for the available updates, if there’s one present download and install it.

Update iTunes on Windows PC: Visit iTunes and click on Help > Check for updates. If there’s any update available, download and install it. If there’s no update available there, then you can check on Microsoft Store > Download and updates > Get updates, download the update if found.

Step 2: Make sure to have a good connection and restart the devices

Ensure to have a good connection between both the devices, also check your lightning cable, ports, and your iTunes connection. It might possible that the lightning cable that you’re using might be faulty or there’s any debris present on the ports of the lightning cable, remove the debris with compressed air.

To test the iTunes connection, connect the iDevice to the computer using a lightning cable. Use a USB port plugged into your computer, open iTunes and it will detect automatically. Open the iDevice and a popup will appear and tap on trust, and the icon will appear on iTunes.

Now, simply restart both the device while keeping them connected. Don’t force the device as it will open into recovery mode. You might have to restart both the devices twice or thrice, as it worked for many users.

Step 3: Disable your security or antivirus software temporarily

If you’re using any antivirus, malware software, or any security software on your computer, try to disable it temporarily as it will interfere with iTunes and prevent you from restoring the backup.

What if iTunes could not restore a backup

If you’ve finished troubleshooting the steps mentioned above and still the issue is still not resolved. Then follow the steps mentioned below if your iDevice could not restore the backup was corrupt or not compatible.

Note: Try restoring backup after each steps

Here, we’re trying to restore iDevice from a different backup, if you already backup your device every now and then you can restore a different backup without losing any important data.

Restore a diffrent backup using iTunes

If you prefer to use more than one Apple device and backup all of them using iTunes, you could able to restore a different backup on another Apple device. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1: Launch iTunes while connecting your device to the computer.

Step 2: Visit File > Device > Restore From Backup.

Step 3: Choose alternate backup to restore from.

Restore a diffrent backup using iCloud

If you prefer to use iCloud to back up the data, you can try to perform a reset on the device and restore from that. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Visit Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 2: Follow the Set Up prompts.

Step 3: Now, choose to Restore from iCloud Backup.

Step 4: You can see data and device of each backup, then Restore from a diffrent backup.

Restore older backup using Time Machine

Step 1: Connect your Time Machine backup drive in Mac.

Step 2: Open Spotlight

Step 3: Type: “~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/”.

Step 4: Press Enter to open Backup folder in Finder.

Step 5: Again, open Spotlight, and type Time Machine.

Step 6: Navigate to time and click on Restore and now, just try to restoring backup from iTunes.

What if Nothing Works?

if the solutions mentioned above won’t work for you, then it’s time to contact Apple Support. Also, you can take the help of those third-party tools in order to recover your precious data, no doubt that those third-party tools are not free, so do proper research before buying the tools.