(4 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5)Data loss can be a huge problem, so backing up your iPhone is always a good idea and your responsibility. The most popular way is to back up iPhone to iTunes. However, backing up iPhone to iTunes can be frustrating for some users – it is a time-consuming process. You never know exactly if iTunes is taking long because this is the required time, or because something went wrong (iTunes won’t tell you if your backup is corrupted, and you’ve been waiting for hours for nothing). To help you with the frustration, we decided to investigate and find the answers to the following question: how long does it take to back up an iPhone? Why does it take so long, and how to make it faster? Let’s start!
- Part 1. How long does it take to backup an iPhone?
- Part 2. Why is my iPhone backup taking so long?
- Part 3. How to speed up iPhone backup?
- Bonus: How to back up iPhone photos faster?
Part 1. How long does it take to backup an iPhone?
Normally, it takes from 30 mins to 2 hours to back up your iPhone. The process depends on different conditions, such as:
- how full is your iPhone storage: if there is almost no GB left, your backup might take ages or even never happen. The device needs some free space to process the copying and encryption of your data. The easiest way to free up some space is to transfer some of your photos and heavy videos to PC before backup.
- model of your iPhone: different models have different storage capacities.
- your iOS version: if you didn’t update your iPhone, an obsolete version might be harder for iTunes to back up.
So, for example, if you are using a 64 GB device, then it should only take a few minutes for the job to be done, but with the 256 GB model, the timeline may extend up to two hours.
However, sometimes iTunes can surprise you, and take ages to finish the backup. For example, we recently had such a use case on our support mail: iPhone 13 Pro Max with 256 GB storage has only 48 GB of free space left, and backing up to iTunes takes over 24 hours! To help our customers, we are going to explain why it happens and what can help. Keep on reading >>
There are 6 ways to do iPhone backup >>
Part 2. Why is my iPhone backup taking so long?
So, why is my iPhone taking so long to backup? Here are the things that are easy to check and may have a huge impact on the functioning of your iPhone:
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iPhone model
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iTunes version
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Heavy media files
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Not enough disk space
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Too many data-heavy apps
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You are initializing a new device for the first time
The latest devices transfer data faster than the older ones, as they come with better features and improved data transfer processes.
If you don’t update your iTunes, it may cause a problem when backing up your latest model of iPhone. iTunes also updates its drivers which are crucial for connectivity between your Apple device and Windows PC. If you get problems connecting your device to iTunes or it doesn’t get recognized by your PC, check this information.
This is one of the main reasons why we do backups – we don’t want to lose precious photos and videos. With time, iPhone Galerry becomes heavy. Also, don’t forget that modern devices take high-resolution images. The more files in high quality you have, the more time it will take for iTunes to finish the backup. You can make the task easier by copying some media files to PC.
Lack of space on your PC can also prolong the backup process. If your iPhone is 99% full, your backup may even freeze. You can free up some space before starting.
When cleaning useless data on your iPhone, don’t forget about apps. Deleting unused apps is quite obvious. However, don’t forget that a lot of apps (for example, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram) generate cache and system files that might weigh several GBs. By the way, iTunes doesn’t back up apps.
When you just bought your new iPhone and connect it to iTunes for the first time, it will take time to settle everything. Just be patient. All the subsequent backups won’t take so much time.
Part 3. How to speed up iPhone backup?
In this part, we will try to find the best way to fix the iPhone backup taking forever issue. So, let’s do it!
Fix 1. Temporary disable antivirus
Some computer security applications, such as firewalls and security guards, may interfere with iTunes backups. If this occurs, turn off your antivirus for some time. Here you can find out how to configure your firewall.
Fix 2. Remove unnecessary data from your iPhone
Before connecting your iPhone to PC, go through your files and delete everything that you find unnecessary. Sure enough, this will help iTunes speed up. To make it easier, you can visualize and delete iPhone files from your PC.
Fix 3. Check if your USB cable and port are not broken
The solution may be as simple as that. Check the USB cable and USB port you use to be sure that they are not broken. It is also important to use the original Apple cable. It should have an annotation saying “Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi)” and a special MFi logo stating that the product is certified.
Fix 4. Remove heavy apps that you don’t need
If you’ve noticed that there are a lot of apps that you don’t use, this is the perfect time to erase them.
Fix 5. Check for iTunes Update
One more reason why an iPhone backup takes so long is an old iTunes version that is not up to date with your iPhone with the latest iOS. Check for iTunes updates and make sure to install the latest iTunes version.
Fix 6. Create regular iTunes backups
We recommend doing differential backups – it will save you time and disk space. In this case, iTunes doesn’t recreate the whole backup each time but only adds new files over the previous backup. It means that the more often you back up your iPhone, the fewer new files iTunes adds to the main backup. Keep all your data safe!
Fix 7: Update iPhone
Make sure your iPhone is up to date, as newer iOS versions often contain performance improvements.
Fix 8: Restart iPhone
A simple restart of the iPhone can sometimes fix problems and restart the backup process.
Fix 9. An alternative backup method when all the fixes above didn’t help
These fixes should help speed up your iPhone backup. However, in many cases, the best way to fix iTunes is to avoid it altogether. iTunes was meant to make life easier by acting as a bridge between Apple devices and PCs. Instead, it’s become bulky, buggy, and inconvenient. It often leads to iPhone crashes, corrupted backups, or even lost songs after syncing with multiple devices.
That’s why we created CopyTrans Shelbee – a tool that truly cares for your data. You can perform full or incremental backups (with notifications if something goes wrong) and restores (both full or selective). Plus, it offers amazing features that iTunes can’t match, like the ability to choose where to back up your data (e.g., to an external hard drive) and save scores from your favorite gaming apps. Don’t stick to outdated methods—try CopyTrans Shelbee and back up your iPhone for free today!
If this is your first time backing up a large storage device, the process might take a while. Here are some tips to speed up backups with CopyTrans Shelbee.
We all know, that iTunes backups are not ideal, and iTunes itself has some CONS:
❌ you can’t find the backup folder
❌ iTunes backup occupies a lot of space
❌ iTunes backup can be corrupted
Unlike iTunes, CopyTrans Shelbee will:
✔️ do full or incremental backup;
✔️ allow to choose the folder to save backup;
✔️ validate backup made;
✔️ compatible with iTunes backup;
✔️ support encrypted iPhone backup;
✔️ restore full iPhone backup or just some selected data;
✔️ allow you to save your apps;
How long is an iPhone backing up?
FAQ
How long does it take to backup an iPhone?
The time it takes to backup an iPhone can vary significantly based on several factors including the amount of data on your iPhone, the method of backup chosen, and the speed of your internet connection if using iCloud. Typically, a full iPhone backup can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. If you are using iTunes, this process can be faster if your iPhone is connected to a computer with a USB cable.
What factors affect the backup speed of an iPhone?
Several factors can affect the backup speed of your iPhone. These include the total amount of data on your iPhone, the method you choose to back up your iPhone (either iTunes or iCloud), the performance of your computer or internet connection, and whether you are performing a full backup or an incremental backup. If your iPhone backup is taking forever, consider checking your network speed or reducing the amount of data on your iPhone.
How can I speed up iPhone backup?
To speed up iPhone backup, you can try several strategies. First, ensure that your iPhone is connected directly to your computer with a USB cable for iTunes backup. If using iCloud, make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, you can disable any unnecessary apps and features on your iPhone that might be running in the background during the backup process. Lastly, consider performing a backup during off-peak hours when internet traffic is lower.
How long does iPhone last
Conclusion about iPhone backup
When it comes to backing up your iPhone, the time it takes can vary based on several factors such as the amount of data, the speed of your connection, and the backup method you use. Generally, an iPhone backup will take anywhere from one to two hours. However, there are ways to speed up the process and ensure that your data is securely backed up without unnecessary delays.
To optimize your backup and make it faster, consider the following tips:
- Reduce the Amount of Data
- Use a Faster Connection
- Choose the Right Backup Tool: Instead of relying on iTunes, consider using CopyTrans Shelbee for a more efficient and flexible backup solution.
By reducing the amount of data to be backed up and using the right tools like CopyTrans Shelbee, you can enjoy faster and more reliable backups, ensuring your data stays safe and secure with minimal hassle.
How to speed up iPhone photos backup?
With CopyTrans Studio, back up iPhone photos and videos in a fast and smooth way
- 1-click Full photos and videos backup
- Set Automatic backups and let CopyTrans do the job for you
- Compatible with the latest iOS devices
- Fast tramsfer for large photo libraries
- Wireless connection through Wi-Fi
