iPhone Automatic iCloud backups no more

[Daryl125]

I was alerted the other day that iCloud hadn't been backed up in two weeks. I was able to force a backup without a problem. All of the settings are correct, I have ample space, but I have not had an automatic backup going forward.

I've reset Network Settings, rebooted our router and modem all to no avail. I've even attempted a backup while not on my home wifi. The only system change I can recall is I updated to 11.3.1 when it first appeared.

Any suggestions?

 

[jeepik]

Sometimes this happens when you don’t plug it in to a cable to charge


I know it periodically happens to me too as i mostly wireless charge

 

[cynics]

The phone needs to be charging, at a high battery percentage level, on Wi-Fi, locked with PLENTY of iCloud space.

If all the qualifications are met you can try signing out of iCloud in settings and then signing back in. This is a process that can take a while and sometimes has adverse effects with other devices like the HomePod, Apple Watch, etc.

I would try just resetting the phone and then sync’ing with iTunes first though. Sometimes that is enough to get things going again.

 

[gwang73]

I've had it happen before also. I've always fixed it by deleting the backup file in iCloud and forcing a manual backup on the iPhone. It will automatically start backing up after 24 hours.
Never needed to reset the phone or anything like that.

 

[Daryl125]

Thanks for your responses. I've tried all suggestions with the exception of deleting the backup. I have noticed, when I unlock my plugged-in charging phone, it initially shows LTE before switching to wifi after several seconds. My theory is the phone loses its wifi connection while locked and therefore, unable to initiate a back-up.

Has anyone else experienced this after updating to 11.3.1?

 

[Banglazed]

Thanks for your responses. I've tried all suggestions with the exception of deleting the backup. I have noticed, when I unlock my plugged-in charging phone, it initially shows LTE before switching to wifi after several seconds. My theory is the phone loses its wifi connection while locked and therefore, unable to initiate a back-up.

Has anyone else experienced this after updating to 11.3.1?

There is a lot of ways to troubleshoot WiFi. Have you tried a simple restart your device? Under WiFi there is (i) to Renew Lease, Forget network and re-join, make sure "Auto-Join" is enable, or a network reset. Also, have you made any changes to your router configuration such as wireless mode for 2.4/5Ghz or any recent update? Are you connected to 2.4 or 5Ghz band? If you have 5Ghz band available, you should connect to that since it may have less interference than 2.4Ghz.

You may test each, you don't need to physically unlock the device, you just need to wake the screen up and you should be able to see if the device is still connected to WiFi.

 

[cynics]

Thanks for your responses. I've tried all suggestions with the exception of deleting the backup. I have noticed, when I unlock my plugged-in charging phone, it initially shows LTE before switching to wifi after several seconds. My theory is the phone loses its wifi connection while locked and therefore, unable to initiate a back-up.

Has anyone else experienced this after updating to 11.3.1?

That is normal operation.

Unlike other mobile OS's iOS doesn't offer a "stay on wifi", "keep wifi alive when asleep", or "whatever (insert Android skin here) calls it".

The wifi is still connected though, which is why it can reconnect so quickly but is in a low power mode. Otherwise known as "WoW" (wake on wireless) this feature minimizes power consumption which saves battery life and/or speeds up charging. Network events (such as iCloud back up) brings it out of this state temporarily.

Like mentioned other mobile devices do this too by default but often offer other options.



Since the cellular connection will persist aside from very rare circumstances letting the wifi radio sleep offers best power usage. You can check your wireless clients with your router though and see your iPhone is still on there though even when its asleep and you turn it back on to see LTE switch to Wifi.