iOS Assistant
 
...

How to Fix iTunes Back Up Now Greyed Out? - Solutions Unveiled!

...

iTunes is a useful tool for data management and backup for Apple users. However, sometimes, when you're ready to back up your precious iPhone data to iTunes, you may find the "Back Up Now" option unexpectedly grayed out, leaving you confused and helpless. What happens? This post will walk you through the causes of the "iTunes Back Up Now greyed out" problem and offer a number of workable fixes to give you back control and guarantee the security of your data.

itunes back up now greyed out

 

Part 1. Why Is Backup Greyed Out in iTunes?

Backing up your iPhone to iTunes, but the "Back Up Now" button becomes grayed out and not clickable. Why? This could happen for a number of reasons, such as, but not limited to:

  • Problems with the USB cord: The USB cable that connects your iPhone to your computer may not be working properly, causing iTunes to fail to recognize the device.
  • Device or computer problems: If either the iPhone or the computer temporarily stops working, iTunes might not be able to back up the data.
  • Outdated versions of iOS or iTunes: Using old versions of iOS or iTunes could cause compatibility problems, which would make backups less useful.
  • Problems with system rights: Some system permissions may not be set up correctly, causing iTunes to be unable to perform backup operations.

Part 2. How to Fix iTunes Back Up Now Greyed Out

We can try the following solutions to fix the problem once we know why "Back Up Now" is grayed out in iTunes.

Fix 1. Check the USB Connection

First, check to see if the USB cable connecting your iPhone to your computer is working right. It's best to use the USB data cord that came with your iPhone because "backup now greyed out in iTunes" might happen if you use a different cable. If you are sure the USB connection works, you can try plugging it into a different USB port.

Fix 2. Restart the iPhone and Computer

Occasionally, the most straightforward solution to technological problems is to reboot the devices. Performing a restart on both the iPhone and the computer can effectively repair temporary issues. Try restarting both iPhone and computer and then attempting the backup again to see if the problem of "iTunes backup greyed out" is resolved.

To Restart iPhone:

Step 1. Press and hold the "Power" and "Volume" buttons at the same time until a slider appears on your screen.

Step 2. Then, slide the switch to turn off your device.

Step 3. Press and hold the "Power" button again after a short break to turn it back on.

restart iphone to fix itunes back up now greyed out

To Restart the Windows Computer:

Step 1. First, press the "Windows" button and then press the "Power" button.

Step 2. Click "Restart" to send the PC back to the beginning.

restart the windows computer to fix itunes back up now greyed out

To Restart the Mac Computer:

Step 1. Select "Restart" from the "Apple" menu.

Step 2. To finish, click "Restart" one more time to make sure.

restart the mac computer to fix itunes back up now greyed out

Restarting the device usually resolves most issues. For example, when you need to backup a locked or disabled iPhone, you can also try restarting the device. For specific solutions, you can turn to the page:

[Full Guide] How to Back Up Locked/Disabled iPhone

Fix 3. Update the iOS Software

An outdated iOS version may be causing the problems you're experiencing. In such circumstances, the best thing you can do is upgrade your iPhone to guarantee it is not running an out-of-date iOS version. To upgrade your iOS software, please follow the procedures below:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Find "General" and tap on it.

Step 3. Press the "Software Update" button. Your iPhone will check if there are any updates available.

Step 4. If there is an update, you will see "Download and Install" as a choice. To start getting the update, tap on it.

update ios software to fix itunes backup greyed out

Fix 4. Update the iTunes

Besides the old iOS version, the problem of "iTunes Back Up Now greyed out" usually happens because of the old iTunes versions. When iTunes is too old, it doesn't work with your iPhone, so you can't back it up. You can fix this iTunes error by getting the latest version of iTunes. Here is how to do it:

For a Windows PC:

Step 1. Launch iTunes, then select "Check for Updates" from the "Help" menu.

choose check for updates

Step 2. Click on "Download iTunes" if there is a new update possible.

update itunes on windows to fix backup now greyed out in itunes

For a Mac:

Step 1. Go to the "App Store" first and then to the "Updates" area.

Step 2. If there are updates available for iTunes, click "Install" to get them.

update itunes on mac to fix backup now greyed out in itunes

Fix 5. Contact Apple Support

It's best to get help from Apple's official support team if you've tried all of the above solutions and still can't fix the problem. They will give you more detailed advice or solutions to help you solve your problem.

Part 3. Best iTunes Alternative to Back Up iPhone

You could use Coolmuster iOS Assistant instead of iTunes to back up your iPhone if you find it inconvenient or difficult to do so. You can easily back up and recover different types of data on your iPhone with Coolmuster iOS Assistant, a professional iOS data management tool. It can back up photos, contacts, messages, call logs, and more. It's easier to use, faster, and has more options for how to work than iTunes.

Key features of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:

  • Effortlessly backup and restore all data on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with just one click.
  • Seamlessly transfer iOS files after previewing and selecting them.
  • Support for a broad array of file types, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, bookmarks, books, calendars, apps, and more.
  • Comprehensive management of iTunes backup files and iOS data on your computer.
  • Effortlessly edit, add, or delete data directly on your iOS device from your PC or Mac.
  • Compatible with the latest iOS 17.

Follow the steps below to back up your iPhone to your computer using iOS Assistant:

01Install this program on your computer first. After setting up the program, run it and use a USB cord to connect your iPhone to the computer.

02Make a link on your iPhone by clicking "Trust" when asked. To move forward on your computer, tap the "Continue" button. Hold on while the software finds your device. When it is found, click the "Super Toolkit" button in the menu at the top.

the interface of ios assitant

03Choose "iTunes Backup & Restore" from the Super Toolkit menu. Next, pick "Backup" from the list of choices that come up. Pick out your iPhone from the list of devices that are shown. After that, choose where on the computer you want to save the backup files. Finally, click the "OK" button to start the backup.

how to back up all iphone to computer using ios assistant

In addition, you can choose which info to back up on your iPhone. With this function, you can pick which types of data to send to your computer. Once it finds your device, go to the left panel, pick the file types you want, see a sample of them, and then click "Export" to send them to your computer.

how to back up iphone selectively to computer using ios assistant

Sum Up

It can be disappointing to get the "iTunes Back Up Now greyed out" error while backing up iPhone data. However, this issue can frequently be rectified by checking the USB connection, rebooting devices, updating system versions, and so on. You can also try using alternate ways to manage your iPhone data more easily, such as Coolmuster iOS Assistant, which provides an alternative to iTunes backup.

Related Articles:

How to Fix iPhone Backup Not Enough Space on Computer Issue (Proven Tips)

iTunes Backup Location: Where Do iTunes Store Backups and How to Change Backup Location?

iCloud vs. iTunes Backup: What's the Difference between Them? (Full Guide)

How to Back Up iPhone Without iTunes Successfully - 3 Proven Methods

    iPhone Recovery     How to Fix iTunes Back Up Now Greyed Out? - Solutions Unveiled!
iOS Assistant
Back up and restore everything on iPhone/iPad/iPod with one click.
Freely manage iOS data and iTunes backup files on the computer.
Preview and selectively transfer files between iDevice and computer.
Widely support contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, etc.
Terms & Conditions Privacy (UPDATED) License Agreement Uninstall Copyright © 2024 Coolmuster. All Rights Reserved.
feedbackFeedback