diff --git a/native/backup/backup-handler.js b/native/backup/backup-handler.js
--- a/native/backup/backup-handler.js
+++ b/native/backup/backup-handler.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 import { useDeviceKind } from 'lib/hooks/primary-device-hooks.js';
 import { isLoggedIn } from 'lib/selectors/user-selectors.js';
 import { useStaffAlert } from 'lib/shared/staff-utils.js';
+import { useTunnelbroker } from 'lib/tunnelbroker/tunnelbroker-context.js';
 import { getMessageForException } from 'lib/utils/errors.js';
 import { useDispatchActionPromise } from 'lib/utils/redux-promise-utils.js';
 import { usingRestoreFlow } from 'lib/utils/services-utils.js';
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@
 
   const getCurrentIdentityUserState = useCurrentIdentityUserState();
   const migrateToNewFlow = useMigrationToNewFlow();
+  const { socketState } = useTunnelbroker();
 
   const startBackupHandler = React.useCallback(() => {
     try {
@@ -129,7 +131,8 @@
       !staffCanSee ||
       !canPerformBackupOperation ||
       backupUploadInProgress.current ||
-      deviceKind === 'unknown'
+      deviceKind === 'unknown' ||
+      !socketState.isAuthorized
     ) {
       return;
     }
@@ -181,6 +184,7 @@
     performBackupUpload,
     performMigrationToNewFlow,
     showAlertToStaff,
+    socketState.isAuthorized,
     staffCanSee,
     startBackupHandler,
   ]);