“iTunes Could not backup the iPhone because the backup session failed”. You may get this error message while backing up your iPadOS or iOS device to a computer or restoring it from a backup using iTunes. 

If you are getting this error message, you will not be able to back the device or restore it through iTunes until the problem is resolved. The error may be triggered by different things, including outdated software. When the backup fails, you will only get an error message that does not specify the problem. 

Are you yet to fix your iPhone backup session failed error? This guide will help you understand what may be triggering the error, and how you can fix it with ease. 

What is the iTunes Backup Session Failed Error?

The iTunes backup session failed error is a notification that means that you cannot back up your iOS device to the PC through iTunes. If you are getting this error while trying to restore a device from a backup stored in your PC, chances are that you are running outdated software, or the backup is corrupted/incompatible. 

The error occurs in both Windows and Mac PCs and may be caused by a number of things, as explained below.

iTunes Backup Session Failed Error Causes 

The inability of iTunes to backup your iPad/iPhone device may be caused by different things. The problem, in most cases, is an outdated iTunes version. Here are several other things that may be triggering the iTunes backup session failed error in your case:

The iTunes App is corrupted for some reason is missing important configure files. 
The backup file you want to transfer is larger than the available space on your device
An antivirus program on the PC may be interrupting the backup process 
A conflict between the old backup file name and the new one 
Outdated Operating system in your PC

If iTunes backup failed while trying you backup an iPhone/iPad, you probably have compatibility issues with the old backup file. If you are having problems syncing or restoring an iOS device using iTunes, you probably have a compatibility issue between the current iOS and old backup files, or the file is corrupt. 

How to Fix iTunes Backup Session Error 

Depending on what is causing the error code to appear, different methods may be used to resolve the problem. In order to resolve the iTunes backup Session failed error, hence backup your iOS device through iTunes, here are some of the most effective solutions you should consider: 

Method 1: Restart the Computer and the iOS Device 

Are you certain that compatibility is not the problem, and are running the latest OS, and iTunes software? If so, restating both the computer (Windows or Mac) and the iOS device you are trying to backup/restore, may resolve the problem. 

Before restarting, disconnect the iPhone/iPad from the computer. You should also disconnect other USB devices that you deem unnecessary as they may also trigger such an error. With the devices disconnected, proceed to shut the computer down. 

Now power the iOS device you are trying to Sync off as well. Allow them to stay off for about five seconds before booting them up. With the computer and iOS device powered up, try to sync them yet again to see whether the error has cleared. 

Method 2: Update/Reinstall iTunes 

Before trying to backup your iOS device through iTunes, you need to ensure that you have the latest version of the App installed on your PC. An outdated iTunes version can make it impossible for the PC to recognize the latest components of the iOS device. 

This may, in turn, cause the backup session to fail. Normally, iTunes applications downloaded from the Microsoft Store are configured to update themselves automatically whenever an update is available. If you sourced yours from the Apple Store, you may need to update it manually. 

In this case, you need to launch the iTunes App and navigate to the help menu in the toolbar. Select “Check for Updates” and allow the system time to complete the search for Updates. Alternatively, you may just uninstall the current iTunes app and install the latest version in its place. 

Method 3: Reset the iTunes Lockdown Folder 

In most cases, this error message is triggered by compatibility issues or just the violation of privacy. If you suspect privacy issues to be the cause of this problem, resetting the Lockdown Folder will clear the error effectively. 

The Lockdown folder is automatically created by iTunes to store certificate UDID data for the iOS devices synced to that particular computer. The procedure for accessing and resetting the Lockdown folder varies from one operating system to another, as follows:

Step One: Open the Lockdown Folder 

The location of the iTunes Lockdown folder varies depending on the operating system you are running on your PC. Here is a breakdown of the same:

Mac OS X (all Versions): C:/ private/var/db/lockdown/

Windows Vista: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\roaming\Apple Computer\Lockdown

Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple\Lockdown

Windows 7, 8, and 10: C:\ProgramData\Apple\Lockdown

Step Two: Resetting the Lockdown Folder 

In order to reset the iTunes Lockdown Folder and all the associated iOS devices, you first need to disconnect any iOS devices from the computer and exit iTunes. Now access the Lockdown Folder and delete all its contents, which will require an Admin password authentication to complete. 

Method 4: Rename the Old Backup Files 

If there is a conflict in the making of the old backup file, you may end up getting the “iTunes Could not backup the iPhone because the backup session failed” notification. In such a case, you should rename the old backup files. 

This is often done by appending something like -OLD BACKUP to the folder name. 

Final Verdict 

The iTunes application installed on your PC may be used to conveniently backup your iOS device data. This functionality allows you to create a full iPhone backup with a single click and in a matter of minutes. However, things are not always as smooth as they should. 

You may encounter the iTunes backup session failed error message, rendering it impossible for you to backup or restore the iOS device using iTunes. With this guide, you should be able to fix this error in just a few minutes without any need for professional assistance. 

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