According to multiple users, iCloud Drive or backup is showing ‘An Unknown Error occurred. Please try again later’ alert.
The pop-up appears every time they try to enable the drive.
Apple allowed end-to-end encryption for iCloud in iOS 16.3. However, it appears that iPhone users began to experience issues following this update.
Reports of iCloud backup showing ‘An unknown error occurred’ message
Users reported that iCloud Drive stopped backing up their files with the iOS 16.3 update. And as a result, they aren’t able to turn it on due to the error.
They are unable not just to restart the backup, but they are also unable to facilitate Access to iCloud Data on the Web browser. There are no such issues with iOS 16.2.
Several users have tried restarting the iPhone and signing in and out of Apple ID without success.
A user posted: “Of all the devices we have 2 so far have updated to the latest and “not so great” update and now on both of those devises, iCloud backup turned off on it’s own, as did apps using iCloud – photos / iCloud Drive turned off on their own. To no avail am I able to turn them back on – epic fail with the latest updates.”
“Updated to iPadOS 16.3 and lost the ability to do iCloud backups. Receive message “unknown error try again later”,” another user posted.
Potential workaround
A Level 10 member of the Apple community and a few other users recommend activating 2-Factor Authentication. They said they were able to back up their iCloud Drive this way.
Here’s how you can do it on your phone:
For your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
1. Go to Settings
2. Your name
3. Password & Security.
4. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
5. Then tap Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.
On your Mac:
1. Choose the Apple menu
2. System Settings (or System Preferences)
3. Then click your name (or Apple ID).
4. Click Password & Security. Next to Two-Factor Authentication, click Turn On and follow the onscreen instructions.
Apple hasn’t officially acknowledged the issue yet. So users will have to rely on these workarounds or support from other community members.
