OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive iOS Bedtime Backup Stopping When Screen Locks

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to troubleshoot an issue where the OneDrive Bedtime Backup feature stops or closes unexpectedly on an iPhone when the screen locks.

Product: OneDrive iOS App
Device & OS: iOS
Scenario: Attempting to use the Bedtime Backup feature to sync photos and files overnight while the iPhone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi.
Observed behavior: The OneDrive app closes or the backup process halts entirely when the iPhone screen dims or locks, requiring manual intervention to brighten the screen.

Before you start

Ensure your iPhone is securely plugged into a power source and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network before attempting to run a Bedtime Backup.

Solution 1Recommended

Update the OneDrive App to the Latest Version

This specific backup halting issue is a known bug introduced in an older release and has been officially patched in OneDrive version 16.6.3 and later.

Microsoft identified the screen-lock backup bug in earlier versions of the iOS app. Updating your application to version 16.6.3 or newer ensures that background activity during Bedtime Backup operates as intended without crashing when the screen dims.

Open the App Store

Navigate to the App Store on your iPhone's home screen and tap to open it.

Access your profile

Tap your Apple ID profile icon located in the top right corner of the screen.

Update OneDrive

Scroll down to the 'Available Updates' section, locate 'Microsoft OneDrive', and tap the 'Update' button to install version 16.6.3 or newer.

Update Confirmation: Once updated, you may need to restart your iPhone and reopen OneDrive to ensure the background backup services initialize properly.

Solution 2

Adjust iPhone Power and Background App Settings

Ensure iOS power management settings are not aggressively suspending OneDrive in the background when the screen locks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is OneDrive Bedtime Backup on iOS?

Bedtime Backup is a dedicated feature in the OneDrive iOS app designed to continuously upload your camera roll and files while you sleep. It requires the iPhone to be connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into a power source to function effectively.

Why does iOS pause background uploads when the screen locks?

iOS uses aggressive memory and power management to preserve battery life. When the screen locks, the operating system suspends many third-party app activities unless they are specifically designed and permitted to utilize Background App Refresh.

Does Low Power Mode affect my cloud backups?

Yes. Enabling Low Power Mode on an iPhone temporarily reduces background activity, which routinely pauses email fetch, background app refresh, and automatic cloud backups until the phone is sufficiently charged or the mode is manually turned off.

What should I do if updating OneDrive does not fix the issue?

If you have updated to version 16.6.3 or later and the backup still stops upon screen lock, verify your network stability and report your specific device model, iOS version, and app version directly to OneDrive Support for further investigation.

Document & File Issues