Uploading to iCloud Paused in Messages (FIX)

The best thing about iCloud (and iTunes for local storing instead of the cloud) is that you can safely delete many things from your iPhone while everything is safely backed up. This applies to Messages — both iMessages and SMSs. However, what happens if the service fails and you are met with a message informing you that Uploading to iCloud is paused?

This is normal in instances where your battery is low and you are not connected to Wi-Fi. However, some users state that, whenever they open Messages, the prompt appears. The only way to avoid it is to keep your device on the charger but kind of negates the main concept of a mobile phone, doesn’t it? We have a few steps we can suggest to fix this so check them out below.

Table of contents:

1. Charge your device and connect to Wi-Fi
2. Update your iPhone
3. Check iCloud Settings
4. Reset All Settings on your iPhone

“Uploading to iCloud paused, Plug in your device and connect to Wi-Fi” message

1. Charge your device and connect to Wi-Fi

The first thing to do is to just follow the instructions from the prompt you got. Charge your device and connect to Wi-Fi. In case you use mobile data instead of Wi-Fi more regularly, you can enable it in Settings > iCloud > Use Cellular Data.

If that doesn’t help and the moment you unplug the device the message appears, continue to the next step.

2. Update your iPhone

The next thing to try in order to address this issue is to update your device to the latest iteration of iOS. It seems that the problem was specifically widespread on iOS 13. That’s why getting iOS 14 on your device should resolve the problem.

Now, although updates are administered automatically by default, you can always do it on your own in System Settings. Here’s how to update your iPhone to the latest iteration of iOS manually:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Check for updates and install any available. If space is needed, make sure to clear some data from the local storage so the update can be downloaded.

If Uploading to iCloud is still paused in Photos or Messages, make sure to check iCloud settings.

3. Check iCloud Settings

The next thing you can do is check iCloud Settings and even go as far as deleting all backed-up Messages so you can restart the process and upload them again.

You should navigate to Settings > Your Profile > iCloud and make sure that there’s enough Storage space (the cap for non-paying iPhone users is 5GB). In addition, you can disable, download Messages, and then re-enable the Messages option in iCloud.

If that doesn’t help, you can always tap Manage Storage on the same page and then Messages. Just tap Disable & Delete and then re-enable the iCloud Backup for Messages again.

4. Reset All Settings on your iPhone

Finally, if none of the previous solutions worked for you, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. You can also go for the factory reset (system restore) but that’s the last option since it deletes all your data. The Reset All Settings option doesn’t delete anything but rather restores almost all system settings to their default values.

Here’s how to Reset All Settings on your iPhone in no time:

1. Open Settings and select General.
2. Tap Reset at the bottom.
3. Choose Reset All Settings.
4. Confirm with your PIN or password when prompted.

After that, the problem should be gone. If it’s still present, navigate to the Apple Support website and post a ticket report explaining your problem.

That should do it. Thank you for reading and make sure to share if these steps helped you or not. We look forward to hearing from you.

Editor’s note: This article was initially published in September 2021. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.