iCloud Syncing Paused is an error message that all iPhone users dread because it means that iCloud has stopped synchronizing your files and data across all your Apple devices as it should. As such your photos, texts, and videos only exist on your iPhone. So, why syncing with iCloud paused, and how can you resume iCloud syncing on your iPhone?

This guide discusses different reasons why iCloud syncing is paused on your iPhone/iPad and 6 quick and easy solutions to fix this issue. You’ll also learn how to sync iPhone data without iCloud.

In this article
    1. Restart Your iPhone to Fix Uploading to iCloud Paused
    2. Connect to a Stronger Wi-Fi If Your iCloud Syncing Paused
    3. Turn Off Low Data Mode to Resolve Syncing with iCloud Paused
    4. Check and Upgrade iCloud Storage If Uploading to iCloud Paused
    5. Sign in to iCloud Again to Fix iCloud Syncing
    6. Fix Underlying iOS Issues When Syncing with iCloud Paused
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Note: Another common issue is that your iCloud syncing takes forever to complete. What to do if iCloud is too slow? Click on the link and learn about all solutions.

Why Syncing with iCloud Paused

Before we discuss the different methods to resume iCloud syncing on your iPhone, let’s find out why syncing with iCloud paused on your device.

There are different possible reasons iCloud syncing paused on your device. When you know why iCloud syncing paused, you’ll know the right method to fix the problem.

  • Wi-Fi Is Disconnected or Weak

So, if Wi-Fi is disabled, out of range, or connected to a poor network, you may notice the iCloud syncing paused problem.

  • iPhone Battery is Low

iCloud uploading drains your iPhone battery life because it synchronizes all your iPhone data to the iCloud server, including photos, videos, and other large files. As such, iCloud synchronization is designed to pause when your iPhone battery is low to prevent your iPhone from shutting down.

  • Network Connection Issues

iCloud syncing takes place over a network connection. If you notice that your iPhone network is unstable or Wi-Fi and other connectivity features are malfunctioning, then your device might be experiencing network connection issues. This can cause temporary disruptions or interfere with the Wi-Fi signal, causing iCloud syncing to pause or stop.

  • Insufficient iCloud Storage

iCloud Syncing paused error may occur if you don’t have sufficient iCloud storage to store the incoming data. iCloud gives every user 5GB of free storage but when you exhaust this, you have to get more iCloud storage space to store data.

  • Incorrect Apple Account Settings

You have to sign in to the same Apple ID and iCloud account for iCloud to back up and synchronize your data. You must also sign in to the same Apple ID on all your Apple devices, so your files are updated.

  • Software Glitch

A minor system glitch either on your iPhone or with the iCloud servers can also cause the iCloud syncing paused error. In most cases, a quick iPhone restart can fix the problem and resume iCloud syncing on your iPhone.

Top 6 Solutions to Fix Syncing With iCloud Paused

Now that we know the different reasons iCloud syncing paused, let’s figure out the best ways to troubleshoot the problem. If you still cannot fix the issue, you can always back up your data without iCloud.

Here are the top 6 solutions to fix syncing with iCloud paused issue:

Restart Your iPhone to Fix Uploading to iCloud Paused

If you suspect a software glitch is causing the iCloud syncing Paused problem, then a quick restart of your device can fix the problem. Restarting your iPhone gives the running apps and features a quick reboot, resolving minor software glitches and bugs causing iCloud syncing to pause.

Here is how to restart your iPhone:

  • Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons simultaneously until you see the Power Off Slider appear on your screen. For iPhones with a home button, hold the Power/Side button until you see the power off slider.
  • Slide to power off the iPhone.
  • Press and hold the Power button again until you see the Apple logo displayed on the screen. Wait for the iPhone to restart and check iCloud to see if syncing has resumed.

Connect to a Stronger Wi-Fi If Your iCloud Syncing Paused

Another quick way to resume iCloud syncing on your iPhone/iPad is to connect to a stronger Wi-Fi network. Since iCloud syncing occurs over an internet connection, a stronger and more stable Wi-Fi network will make syncing faster. If Wi-Fi is unavailable, you can try syncing to iCloud over Mobile Data. Follow the steps:

  • Slide down the Control Panel on your iPhone and click on Wi-Fi.
how to fix icloud syncing paused over wi-fi
  • Check the available Wi-Fi networks within range and connect to the Wi-Fi with the highest signal bars. Once connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, see if iCloud syncing has resumed.

You can also hold down the Wi-Fi icon to access the Wi-Fi Settings on your iPhone. Check if Wi-Fi is set to auto-join to a particular hotspot. If so, then you’ll be unable to connect to another Wi-Fi network when the Auto-Join hotspot is enabled. Set to Ask to Join, so you can choose which network to connect to.

how to disable auto-join hotspot to fix icloud syncing paused

Turn Off Low Data Mode to Resolve Syncing with iCloud Paused

Low Data Mode is a feature on Apple devices that is designed to reduce background network activity on your device, so your iPhone data lasts longer. When Low Data Mode is enabled, it pauses automatic downloads, cloud backups, synchronization, and photo updates. So, if iCloud is syncing data over Mobile Data and you enable Low Data Mode, iCloud Syncing will pause mid-way.

Also, if you set up a data usage limit on your iPhone and iCloud syncing exceeds the maximum data set, Low Power Mode will be enabled automatically.

You can disable Low Data Mode to resume syncing on iCloud.

  • Go to Settings and click Mobile Data.
check out mobile data settings on iphone to resolve uploading to icloud paused issue
  • Then tap Mobile Data Options.
  • Disable the Low Data Mode toggle switch and see if iCloud syncing resumes.
how to disable low data mode to fix icloud paused issue

Likewise, you can disable Low Power Mode. Like Low Data Mode, Low Power Mode reduces the background power consumption on your device, and it kicks in when your iPhone battery is low. When iPhone Low Power Mode is enabled, iCloud activity such as backup and syncing will be paused until you charge the device.

  • Go to Settings and click on Battery.
  • Disable the Low Power Mode toggle switch to turn off the feature.
how to disable low power mode to fix icloud paused issue
  • Check and Upgrade iCloud Storage If Uploading to iCloud Paused

If you have exhausted your allotted iCloud storage space, iCloud will pause syncing because there isn’t enough space for the incoming data from your phone. So, get more storage on iCloud to resume syncing.

  • Go to Settings on your iPhone and click on Your Name/Apple ID.
  • Tap iCloud and click Manage iCloud Storage.
how to upgrade icloud storage to fix icloud paused issue
  • You’ll see your current iCloud storage plan and how much available space you have in iCloud. Choose to upgrade your iCloud storage.
  • Sign in to iCloud Again to Fix iCloud Syncing

In case of an iCloud glitch or iCloud Account error, signing in to iCloud again can resolve the issue and resume syncing to the server. Ensure you know the correct Apple ID and Password to your account before signing out, so you don’t lose access to iCloud’s features.

  • Go to Settings and tap on Your Name/Apple ID at the top of the screen.
  • Scroll down and select Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID Password to sign out of iCloud.
how to sign out of icloud to fix icloud paused issue
  • Restart your iPhone and go to Settings. Then sign in to your iCloud account again using your Apple ID and Password.

After some minutes, check your iCloud library to see if iCloud syncing has resumed.

Fix Underlying iOS Issues When Syncing with iCloud Paused

In some cases, the iCloud syncing paused error may be caused by an underlying iOS issue that you haven’t noticed. iOS issues like a failed update, frozen or unresponsive screen, and even a Jailbreaking attempt gone wrong can pause iCloud Syncing. The best way to fix any iOS issue on your device is via Dr.Fone - iOS System Repair tool.

Dr.Fone is a user-friendly and superior iOS repair solution that can fix over 150 different types of iOS and iPadOS issues. Download and Install Dr.Fone on your computer.

Then follow these steps to fix iOS issues on your iPhone and resume iCloud syncing via Dr.Fone iOS system repair:

  • Launch Dr.Fone on your computer. Select Toolbox from the top-left section of the screen and click System Repair.
dr.fone ios system repair home interface
  • Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable and select iPhone. Then click iOS Repair from the list of options.
ios dr.fone ios system repair to fix icloud pause issue

  • Select Standard Repair and put your iPhone in Recovery Mode.
standard repair mode on dr.fone ios system repair

  • Next, download a compatible firmware for your device and click Repair Now to fix iOS issues on your iPhone.

Once your device is fixed, see if iCloud syncing has resumed.

Also, if your iPhone is running an outdated iOS version, iCloud syncing may slow down and pause because your device doesn’t have the required software update. To update your device iOS, go to Settings and click on General. Then tap Software Update and click Download and Install to download the latest iOS version on your device.

how to update iphone ios to resume icloud syncing

Use iCloud Alternative When Syncing with iCloud Is Paused

There is no disputing that iCloud is an impressive method to back up and sync your data across other devices. However, iCloud’s heavy reliance on a network connection leads to some problems such as the iCloud syncing paused issue.

Would you like an alternative to back up and synchronize your iPhone data when syncing with iCloud is paused? Then try Wondershare MobileTrans - Backup & Restore.

MobileTrans is a secure and user-friendly tool that allows you to back up over 18 types of data, including messages, contacts, photos, videos, WhatsApp data, and more from your iPhone to your PC. You don’t need a Wi-Fi network to back up using MobileTrans, and the tool doesn’t overwrite your iPhone data.

Wondershare MobileTrans

Back Up Your Data to Computer Easily

  • • No data loss. No data leaks.
  • • Support various data, including files, photos, videos, apps, contacts, etc.
  • • Compatible with thousands of device types acorss Android and iOS.
4,085,556 people have downloaded it
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Download and install MobileTrans Backup & Restore tool on your PC and follow the steps below:

  • Launch MobileTrans and connect your iPhone to the PC via a USB cable.
  • Select Backup & Restore from the MobileTrans dashboard and select Phone Backup & Restore.
mobiletrans backup & restore main dashboard
  • Choose the iPhone files you want to back up to your PC and click Start.
how to back up iphone data to pc via mobiletrans
  • Wait till MobileTrans notifies you that the file backup is complete. Then unplug your iPhone.
iphone backup complete via mobiletrans
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Final Words

In summary, syncing with iCloud may pause occasionally due to different possible reasons ranging from a low battery and low data mode to a poor Wi-Fi connection and insufficient iCloud storage. You have different options to fix the problem and resume iCloud syncing based on the cause of the problem.

Connecting your device to a stronger Wi-Fi and updating the iCloud storage are very effective solutions to resume iCloud syncing. If none of the methods discussed above doesn’t work for you, try the iCloud alternative when syncing with iCloud is paused.

FAQ

  • 1. Will I lose all my files if iCloud syncing is paused?
    No, you won’t lose all your files if iCloud syncing is paused. When you pause iCloud syncing, your latest files will not be available on all your Apple devices except for the source device.
  • 2. Why is iCloud Syncing taking forever?
    iCloud syncing is taking forever because your iPhone network is poor, you have run out of iCloud storage, or your iPhone battery is low. iCloud syncing can also take several hours if you have large files to sync like HD videos and high-resolution pictures. To speed up iCloud syncing, connect to a stronger Wi-Fi network and leave your iPhone plugged in.
Navkiran Dhaliwal
Navkiran Dhaliwal May 10, 24
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