How to Fix 'The Password You Entered to Protect Your iPhone Could Not Be Set' Error

"Hello, I'm trying to backup my phone with encryption, and I keep getting this error message - The password you entered to protect your iphone backup could not be set. Please try again.. I've tried about 4 different times. Itunes is up to date. I've restarted, disconnected, reconnected, everything I could think of. What should I do?"—— Apple Support Community

When it comes to passwords and safety, iPhones are known for their effective security solutions. But every once in a blue moon, things do tend to go wrong, especially when you get prompts 'The password you entered to protect your iPhone could not be set' when making a backup with encryption in iTunes or Finder? Let's take a look at why it's happening and what you can do to fix it in this guide.

Why Are You Getting This Error?

If you encounter the error message "The password you entered to protece your iPhone backup could not be set," it likely indicates that iTunes is attempting to establish this password through a Wi-Fi connection.

However, it is essential to have the device connected using a physical USB cable for the process to succeed, as setting an encrypted backup password requires a physical USB connection, not Wi-Fi.

The Solution: Unplug Your iPhone and Try Again

So, if you see the error, quit iTunes, unplug and plug in the USB connection, and then set the password again. It might seem a bit odd, but toggling the USB connection and setting the password should fix the issue.

By the way, it's a good idea to always use encrypted backups. They ensure that all your data, including passwords and health information, gets backed up properly to iTunes. iCloud backups are already encrypted automatically.

Here's how you can fix the error instantly:

1. Close iTunes.
2. Unplug your iPhone from the computer if it's connected to a USB cable.
3. Now, connect your iPhone to the computer using the charging cable.
4. Open iTunes again.
5. Click on the "Summary" tab for your iPhone.
6. Enable encrypted backups by checking the option.
7. Type your chosen password twice.
8. Back up your iPhone as you normally would.

To Conclude

So, there you have it. You should now be able to enter a password to protect your backup, and iTunes won't show you any prompt saying 'the password you entered to protect your iPhone could not be set.' It's important that you make sure to follow either of the steps outlined in our guide.