Are you encountering an error stating "iTunes was unable to back up your iPhone due to a failure in the backup session" while performing a backup using iTunes? How can you resolve this issue on your PC? MiniTool offers assistance, and you can follow the steps outlined in this article.

iPhone Backup Session Failure

iTunes, developed by Apple, serves multiple purposes like organizing and playing music and videos, accessing music, TV shows, movies, etc., from the iTunes Store, setting up your iPad, iPhone, or iPod, and backing up your iPhone to a computer, among others. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems.

Nevertheless, like any other tool, it isn't flawless. Users have reported occasional malfunctions, particularly with iTunes backups. You might also be facing similar issues.

When initiating a backup via iTunes, an error message appears on the screen stating "iTunes was unable to back up the iPhone due to a failure in the backup session". Similarly, if you attempt to restore your iPhone from a backup file, the error "iTunes was unable to restore the iPhone due to a failure in the backup session" arises.

This error regarding the iPhone backup session failure consistently surfaces and affects not just iPhones but also iPads or iPods. How can you prevent your device from displaying this error? Is it straightforward to fix? Yes! Try implementing the solutions provided below.

Solutions for iPhone Backup Failures in iTunes

Basic Solutions

1. Restart your iPhone (iPad or iPod), iTunes, and either your Windows PC or Mac.
2. Use an alternative USB cable or port to connect your iPhone to your computer.

Updating iTunes, iOS, or Windows/macOS to the Latest Version

To address the issue of "iTunes was unable to back up the iPhone due to a failure in the backup session", consider updating various components, such as iTunes, iOS, the Windows operating system, or macOS.

To update iTunes, open iTunes, go to Help > Check for Updates.

For updating the iOS of your iPhone, disconnect the device from the computer, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.

To update Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.

To update macOS, access System Preferences > Software Update > Update Now.

Temporarily Disabling Antivirus on Your Computer

Occasionally, iTunes backups are obstructed by certain security applications like antivirus programs and firewalls, resulting in iPhone backup session failures. To resolve this, temporarily disable the antivirus software and firewall, and then attempt the backup again.

The specific steps vary depending on the antivirus software being used. Search online for guidance tailored to your software and proceed accordingly.

Renaming or Deleting Old Backups

Sometimes, the name of an old backup conflicts with a new one, causing the error "iTunes was unable to back up the iPhone due to a failure in the backup session". To eliminate this alert, consider renaming or deleting old backups.

Location of iTunes backups on your computer:

• If iTunes was downloaded from Microsoft Store, go to C:\Users\YourUserName\Apple\MobileSync\Backup.
• If iTunes was downloaded from Apple's website, go to C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup (for Windows) or ~/Library/ApplicationSupport/MobileSync/Backup/ (for macOS).

Resetting the iTunes Lockdown Folder

The error related to iTunes backup failure might occur if iTunes does not receive permission from your computer. Resetting the Lockdown folder can resolve this issue. This folder stores the certificate from your device to allow iTunes to access your iPhone.

To reset the iTunes Lockdown folder and grant permission again, exit iTunes and disconnect your iPhone from the computer, then follow the instructions.

On Windows:

1. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Apple\Lockdown.
2. Delete each file in this folder.
3. Launch iTunes, connect your iPhone to the computer, tap Trust on the phone, and attempt the backup again.

On Mac:

1. Open Finder, select Go > Go to Folder, and enter /private/var/db/lockdown/.
2. Delete all the files in the lockdown folder.
3. Launch iTunes, connect your iPhone to the Mac, and initiate the backup process again.

Final Thoughts

Have you successfully resolved the issue of "iTunes was unable to back up the iPhone due to a failure in the backup session" on your computer after trying these common methods? If none of these approaches work, you can try adding the computer as a trusted device or consider repairing, resetting, or reinstalling iTunes. Hopefully, this article has been beneficial to you.

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