Can’t restore backup, Apple devices says Back up is too big for device

Good morning, I made a backup of my one terabyte iPhone before sending it to repairs. Now the phone is back and I’m attempting to restore the backup from my laptop however, when I use Apple devices, after 10 minutes since the beginning of the backup a window appears telling me that the phone cannot be restored as the backup is too big for the device. Considering it is exactly the backup of that same device, I have no clue about what to do.




iPhone 11 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Jan 30, 2025 06:09 AM

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3 replies

Jan 31, 2025 12:17 AM in response to matgal89

When backing up an iPhone, there are three main options: iCloud, a Mac, or a PC. Each method has its advantages, but if you select the wrong backup during a restore, it may not work correctly.


Here’s a breakdown of what could happen:

  1. iCloud Backup: If you use iCloud to back up your iPhone, it happens wirelessly and is linked to your Apple ID. When restoring from iCloud, you need to ensure you select the correct backup that corresponds to the device you're restoring. If you choose the wrong iCloud backup—like one made on a different device or a previous version of the phone—you may face issues, and the restore might not include all your data or settings.
  2. Mac or PC Backup: If you back up to a Mac or PC using Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (macOS Mojave and earlier, or Windows PCs), the backup is stored locally on your computer. When restoring, you need to select the correct backup from the list that matches the device and time frame you want to restore from. Using the wrong backup file can lead to missing data or settings.


If you're restoring a backup and after 10 minutes or so you get a message that the backup is "too big," it's an indication that the backup you've selected doesn't match your device's specifications, like size or iOS version. In this case, you'll need to make sure you’ve selected the correct one. If the restore fails, trying a different backup that aligns more closely with your device's specifications might solve the issue.



See this --> If you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod - Apple Support (IN)


Or this --> iOS update and restore errors - Apple Support


Error 53 --> If you see error 53 when you update or restore your iPhone or ...


Error 9, 4005, 4013, 4014 --> If you see error 9, 4005, 4013, or 4014 when you restore your ...


VPN or proxy connections might prevent your device from contacting the update servers.




Jan 31, 2025 12:14 AM in response to matgal89

To improve my understanding of the phenomenon, it would be highly beneficial if you could share a full screenshot (Do not crop it). Visual representations carry a greater impact than written descriptions.


Please remember that this is a public forum, so when attaching a screenshot, please avoid including any personal credentials such as IP addresses, card details, email IDs, Apple IDs, IMEI numbers, serial numbers, phone numbers, order IDs, or any identifiable location information if you are sharing a map.



With the limited information that you have provided, It is hard to even guess the problems faced by you. 


You may get faster and better responses to your query by --> Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple ...



Please re-post with detail so that someone else can help.



Jan 31, 2025 12:46 AM in response to matgal89

I made an emergency back up on Jan 17 before sending the phone to assistance. It took more or less 10 hours to do so. The storage on the phone was 300 gb empty with 700 gb in use. Is there a chance that there have might been some compressed files on the phone that were "unzipped" by the backup? The backup folder on the laptop is in fact a bit less than 1 TB in size somehow. This is the message I get from the Apple Devices app.

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Can’t restore backup, Apple devices says Back up is too big for device

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