Fix iCloud Not Backing up All Photos on iPhone with 5 Ways

iCloud not backing up all photos? No worry! Here is a complete guide on how to fix the issue quickly.

Clara

By Clara / Updated on April 17, 2024

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iCloud isn’t backing up all my photos.

When I get to the iCloud website on my Mac I only see photos from the beginning of 2020, whereas on my phone I have photos from 2018. When I open my camera it says: “800 Photos, 120 videos. 2,176 items have not been uploaded to iCloud." I don’t have a storage problem. Why does that happen and how can I have all my photos backed up and see everything on the iCloud website? 

- Question from Apple Community

iPhone not backing up all photos to iCloud

iCloud is an excellent cloud storage service that can automatically backup pictures on iPhone and share pictures with other devices. In addition to photos, it can also back up important information on iPhone such as contacts, text messages, and videos. But users may be troubled when they find that iCloud does not backup photos.

Why are all my photos not backing up to iCloud? Usually, iCloud not backing up any photos is due to iCloud is not enabled for photo backups. You can enable iCloud for photos by heading to iPhone Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos > Turn on iCloud Photos.

Turn On Icloud Photos

If you have enabled iCloud backup for photos but iCloud is not backing up all photos, don't worry, you will learn what causes iCloud not to back up all your photos and some effective fixes that you can try to cope with this issue here.

enlightened Tip: If you need to know why are some photos missing from my iCloud backup, just go to this Fix Photos Missing from iCloud Backup guide to get answers.

Why does iCloud not back up all photos?

Why iCloud backup not backing up all photos? Why iCloud only backing up some photos on iPhone? Why won't my iCloud backup when I have enough storage? Check the reasons listed below and you will understand what is preventing iCloud from backing up all your photos correctly:

  • iCloud is running low on storage space, causing iPhone backup failed.
  • The iPhone system is not updated to the latest version.
  • There is a problem with the network connection.
  • The iPhone's low battery prevents some functions from working properly.

How to fix iCloud not backing up all photos

Here are some effective solutions for iPhone photos not backing up to iCloud. Make sure your iPhone's Low Power Mode is off and it is fully charged before you start trying any solutions.

Way 1. Check iCloud storage

No matter whether you are a free iCloud user or a paid user, after enabling iCloud to automatically backup iPhone, a large number of files will quickly take up iCloud storage space. If you find errors with iCloud backup photos and other data, please check if the iCloud storage space is sufficient first.

Open the iPhone Settings app and tap [your name] at the top of your screen. Then, click iCloud and then Manage Storage to check your free iCloud storage space.

Manage Icloud Storage

Note: If your iCloud storage is full, you could free up some storage space by deleting redundant/duplicate photos or removing useless files

Way 2. Update to the latest version of iOS

How to fix photos not backing up to iCloud even with enough storage? Apple regularly releases iPhone updates to fix bugs. Updating the system is also one of the effective ways to fix all the problems on your iOS device. Although iPhone can update iOS automatically, the update may not be installed properly for some reasons.

If a new iOS update is available on your iPhone, follow the steps below to get the update and fix the iCloud not backing up all photos on iPhone issue.

Go to Settings on iPhone > Tap on General > Click Software Update and click Install Now for an iOS update.

Ios Software Update

Way 3. Hard restart iPhone

Restarting your device is a very common method to fix iPhone running errors. You can use this method to fix problems like iCloud unable to load storage info, iCloud not backing up photos, etc.

To force restart the iPhone 8/SE 2 series or later: Press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, and press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

To force restart the iPhone 7 series: Hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears and then release the buttons.

To force restart iPhone 6/6s/SE 1: Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears. Then, release the buttons.

Hard Reset Iphone

Way 4. Check the network connection/reset network

As we all know, iCloud backups need to be done with an internet connection. If the network connection is unstable or disconnected, iCloud photo backup may not be completed.

If you are on a Wi-Fi connection, please switch to another Wi-Fi network or try to reset the network to fix an abnormal network.

Run the Settings app and select General. Tap on Reset and choose Reset Network Settings. Input your passcode and tap on Reset Network Settings again to confirm it.

Reset Network Settings On Iphone

Way 5. Enable iCloud backup over mobile data for photos

If you are on a cellular data network, make sure you've allowed iCloud backup for photos to work over mobile data.

Visit the Settings app on iPhone > Scroll to find Photos > Enable Mobile Data.

Icloud Photos Mobile Data Iphone

An alternative way to backup all iPhone photos for free

If you don't have enough time to spend on these solutions, why not turn to a simpler way to resolve iCloud backup not backing up photos? We recommend you to use FoneTool. This is a free and easy-to-use iPhone backup service that allows you to selectively or fully backup photos, text messages, videos, contacts, and music from iPhone to your computer or external drive.

It also supports fully back up iPhone with one click, and you can use it to transfer data from one iPhone to another with ease. It is compatible with all iOS devices, from iPhone 4 to the latest one, and various iPad and iPod models.

Download FoneTool on your computer and follow the tutorial below to create an easy and free backup for your iPhone photos right now!

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer via a USB cable and click “Trust” to connect it to the PC.

Step 2. Pick Phone Backup > click Get Started under Selective Backup.

Custom Backup

Step 3. Tick the checkbox below Photos to backup all photos or click on the Photos icon to view all the photos on your iPhone.

Backup Photos

Step 4. Select all or some wanted pictures for backup. After selecting, tap OK.

Select Pictures

Step 5. Click on Backup Storage Path to specify a backup location for your photos and click Start Backup to backup all photos easily.

Click On Backup

FoneTool also provides features of iCloud account and iCloud Drive data management. If you want to manage iCloud data like photos, videos, contacts, notes, etc. on your computer, FoneTool can help you do it easily.

icloud not backing up all photos

Conclusion

This page explains to you the reasons that lead to iCloud not backing up all photos and the possible solutions to this problem. To get rid of all kinds of iCloud backup errors like your iPhone has never been backed up to iCloud, you can use FoneTool to safely and easily back up your iPhone data.