FoneTool
How to Fix iTunes Back Up Now Greyed Out in Windows 10/11
Back Up Now button greyed out in iTunes? Don’t worry! We are going to help you solve the iTunes Back Up Now greyed out issue in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7.
By Lena / Updated on April 22, 2024
iTunes Back Up Now greyed out Windows 11.
When trying to back up my iPhone to iTunes, the "back up now" button is greyed out. How do I fix the greyed out backup button in iTunes?
- Question from Apple Community
Are you experiencing the same problem as this user? Trying to backup iPhone to PC via iTunes only to find the Back Up Now button is grayed out, which means that you cannot make a backup. Why iTunes Back Up Now greyed out and how to fix this problem? Just keep reading to learn more.
Why Back Up Now greyed out in iTunes?
iTunes Back Up Now greyed out issue usually occurs because of the following factors:
- Outdated iTunes or iOS. An older version of software may cause conflicts and prevent you from syncing your iPhone.
- Incompatible USB cable. You may have used an incompatible USB or the wrong port to connect your iPhone, so the connection cannot be established smoothly.
- Software glitches. Unknown errors of iPhone and computer can also cause the iTunes Back Up Now greyed out problem.
How to fix iTunes Back Up Now greyed out in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7
Here in this part, I’ll show you all the practical ways that can help you fix Back Up Now button greyed out in iTunes problem. You do not need to try all these methods, just try them in turn until the problem is solved.
Tip 1. Restart iPhone and computer
First of all, you can restart your iPhone and computer. Sometimes, a simple restart may help fix system glitches that caused the "iTunes Back Up Now greyed out" problem.
In addition, you can try to force restart your iPhone:
- iPhone 8 or later: Press the volume+ button and then quickly release. Press the volume- button and then quickly release. Press the side button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press both the power button and volume- button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.
- iPhone 6s or earlier: Press both the power button and the Home button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.
Tip 2. Check USB port and cable
Please make sure you have connected your iPhone to computer correctly. It is recommended to use the USB cable that came with your iPhone, otherwise, “back up now greyed out iTunes” problem may occur. If you are sure that the USB cable is working properly, you can try a different USB port.
Tip 3. Update iTunes to the latest version
iTunes Back Up Now greyed out problem usually occurs due to outdated version. When the iTunes version is too old, it is not compatible with your iPhone and therefore cannot backup your phone. Also, the bugs in the outdated systems may also cause this problem. To solve the problem, you can update iTunes to the latest version.
- Launch iTunes on your computer.
- Click Help tab for the menu bar.
- Choose Check for Updates and follow the steps to install the latest version of iTunes.
Tip 4. Update iOS to the latest version
An old iOS system can also lead to the Back Up Now button greyed out in iTunes problem. You can go to Settings > General > Software Update to check if there is an update available. If so, just tap Download and Install to update the software.
Another easy way to backup iPhone to computer
In fact, iTunes is not the only way that can help you backup iPhone to computer. When iTunes Backup Up Now greyed out, you can turn to a third-party iPhone backup tool for help. If you prefer an easy-to-use one, then FoneTool can be a good choice.
FoneTool is one professional iOS data backup tool for Windows users, developed by a team that is focused on data security for more than 14 years. Its Full Backup feature works like iTunes backup, which helps you to backup all iPhone content and settings. Below are the detailed steps to backup iPhone to computer via FoneTool.
Step 1. Download FoneTool on your computer.
Step 2. Launch FoneTool and connect your iPhone to computer via the USB cable.
Step 3. Choose Phone Backup > Go to Full Backup.
Step 5. Enable backup encryption to backup private data > Select a storage path to save the backup > Finally, click Start Backup.
Besides Full Backup, FoneTool also supports Selective Backup. You can use this feature to help you backup selected contacts, messages, photos, videos, and songs.
Final words
Hope one of the methods can help you fix the iTunes Backup Up Now greyed out problem. If all methods don't work, you can use FoneTool to help you backup your iPhone to computer. It not only can help you backup all iPhone data but also only selected data.
If you have any questions, let us know in the comments and we will reply to you soon.