Where is the copy of iPhone stored on PC? Where iTunes Backs Up: Find Backed Up Data

Usually, you don’t have to know about the accurate location of iTunes backup files because iTunes will show them for you automatically. But what if you purchase a new computer and want to transfer the backup files from the old PC to the new one, you have to know the location of the backup files so that you can have a copy for them. This article will show the following several parts:

Part 1: The location of your iPhone backup files

1: The location of your iTunes backup files

If you are a Windows user, you can find your iPhone backup files under the path just as below according to your operating system:

Note: In order to show the hidden folder, you should enable “show hidden files” firstly. Just open an arbitrary folder, go to “Tools->Folder Options->View”, and then enable “Show hidden files, folders and drives”.

For XP: C:\Documents and Settings\ (username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

For Vista:

For Windows 7: C:\Users\ (username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

For Windows 8, 8.1: C:\Users\ (username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

For Windows 10: C:\Users\ (username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

(The “C:” means the system drive of your computer.)

You can open an arbitrary folder and enter the path above into the address bar and then tap the Enter key, to access to the target path quickly.

If you are a Mac user, you should go to “ ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/” and view all your iPhone backup files there.

2. Location for iCloud backup files

As to iCloud backup files, since they are all saved in the remote storage, you cannot find iCloud backup files on computer but can still view them very easy.

To Mac users, you have to go to “System Preferences” under Apple menu, and go to “iCloud” and click “Manage” Menu.

To Windows users, just click Start| All Programs| iCloud| iCloud and then choose “Manage”, if you are using Windows 8, you can find the relevant title in the Start Window.

Besides, you can also view the backup data directly on your iPhone. Just go into Settings->iCloud and then choose “Storage & Backup”.

Part 2: Change the storage path of iTunes backup files

Since you know where your backup files are, you must wonder how to change the default storage path and save your backup files in other places so that you can save more space for your system drive. This is not really complex. Here are the steps:

For Windows XP:

1) Close your iTunes. And you have to download the junction utility from the Internet.
2) Extract the junction utility, and copy “junction.exe” to your username folder.
3) Go to the path which saved your iTunes backup files, copy all the backup files to other places.
4) Click Start, click Run and input “cmd” into the text box, then tap the Enter key.
5) Now the command prompt will pop up, now you have to create an NTFS junction point. Input below commander and tap Enter key:
Junction “C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup” “(the new storage path you want)”
6) Now back up your iPhone file with iTunes once, and go to the new storage path to check whether the new backup file is saved there.

For Windows Vista/7/8:

1) Go to the location of the iTunes backup files, and copy all the files into the new backup storage path you want.
2) Both tap Windows and R, and input “cmd” into the popping-up textbox, and then click Ok.
3) Now command prompt will pop up. Input the commander just as below and tap Enter key:
mklink /j “C:\Users\username\App Data\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup” “(the new storage path you want)”
4) Backup your iPhone file with iTunes, and go to the new storage path to check whether new backup file is saved there.

For Mac OS X:

1) Exit iTunes, and go to the iTunes backup location and copy all backups to the new storage folder.
2) Launch Terminal and enter the command prompt. Input the commander just as follows:
ln -s /Volumes/External/Backup/ ~/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync/Backup
3) Back up your iPhone file with iTunes, and go to new storage path to check whether the new backup data is saved there.

Part 3: How to delete iTunes backup files

Although backup files can give you a chance to get your important data back after deleting them by accident, too many backup files may also waste the storage space. In this case, you may need to delete some files which are already out of date and make room for the new backup files. As to iCloud backup files, deleting the useless backup files in time is also very important. As we know, your iCloud storage is limited and precious, so you have to delete some out-of-data backup files or you may not have enough space to back up your iPhone anymore.

Since you have known where your iTunes backup files are, deleting them can be very easy. Just go into the storage folder of iTunes backup files, and choose what you want and delete them directly. As to deleting backup files in iCloud server, you can just finish the task on your iPhone: Just go “Settings”->”iCloud”->”Storage& Backup”->”Manage Storage”, and then select the backup you want to delete, and then tap “Delete Backup”.

Part 4: How to recover iPhone data without any backup files

Deleting backup files is really easy, but if you just deleted certain important backup which contains your precious personal files by mistake, and you just want to use it to restore your iPhone, it can really be a great disaster. Just in case, you have to know how to retrieve the lost data without backup files as well. Actually, there are some methods to get the deleted data back without backup files, and the easiest way is to choose a well designed tool to help you.

Is such an iPhone recovery tool. It can help you recover the deleted data such as contacts, SMS text messages, music, pictures, videos and so on from an iTunes or iCloud backup files, or even from iPhone directly:

1) Just download iMyfone D-Back and install it on the computer, then connect your iPhone to the computer as well using the USB cable.
2) Switch the software into “ Recover from iOS Device” mode, and after your iPhone has been detected, click “ Start” and the software will find out all deleted data on your iPhone.
3) You can view all the lost data now, just select all you want, and click “Recover”, all your lost important data will be back later.

I don’t know about you, but for me the contents of the memory of my iPhone 5s are much more expensive than the device itself. If you bought it once, you can buy it a second and third time, but to restore the information accumulated over the years, even if it is possible, it is not easy to do.

How to Move iTunes Backups to Another Drive in Windows 7, 8 and 10

Close iTunes.
Copy or move the folder “C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\” to another drive (replace username with your own). Just in case, copy the folder somewhere else.
In my virtual machine Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop it is located at: C:\Users\le7andr\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Run the command line (command line processor) “cmd.exe” with administrator rights (“Start” -> “Search programs and files” -> “cmd” ->
Enter the command: MKLINK /D “from” “to”
Example:
mklink /d "C:\Users\Alexander Varakin\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\" D:\iTunes\Backup

Instead of “Alexander Varakin”, enter your username. If there are spaces in the path (here Apple Computer), it must be enclosed in quotation marks (""). To avoid typing the path manually, drag the desired folder into the command prompt window. Press Enter.
Example of command execution.

How to Move iTunes Backups to Another Drive in Windows XP

Close iTunes.
Copy or move the folder “C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\” to another drive (replace username with your own). Just in case, it is better to copy the folder somewhere else.
Delete the "Backup" folder on system disk(where the backups were moved from).
Download Junction from the link, unzip it, for example, to the root of drive “C”.
Run the command line “cmd.exe” with administrator rights (“Start” -> “Search programs and files” -> “cmd” -> Right-click context menu on the file "cmd.exe" and select "Run as administrator"). The name of the command line window must include “Administrator: C:/Windows/System32/cmd.exe”.
At the command line, enter the command: C:\Path_to_Junction\junction.exe “from” “to” -s,
- “from” - the previous location of the “Backup” folder on the system drive;
- “where” is the new path to the backup folder.
Example: C:\Junction\junction.exe "C:\Users\Alexander Varakin\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\" D:\iTunes\Backup -s
Launch iTunes and check for backups in the program settings on the “Devices” tab.

How to Move iTunes Backups to Another Drive on Mac OS X

For Mac computers with a backup function using the built-in Time Machine program in OS X or third-party iBackup and ChronoSync, the issue of backup safety is not so pressing, but it will still be useful for someone.

On Mac computers running OS X, the procedure is slightly simpler:

Backups transferred to another drive will be available in iTunes until the next reinstallation operating system, after which the symbolic links will need to be created again.

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in finding a backup a copy of iTunes on Windows computer or Mac. It’s not difficult to move “heavy” backups to another disk (partition or external drive) and associate them with iTunes using symbolic links.

If you have any questions or additions, write them in the comments and we’ll discuss them.

Many users don’t even think about it, and simply rebuild their device, and then rack their brains and wonder - where did all the contacts, messages, settings, applications go? Fortunately, in the latest iTunes this process is automated and you don’t need to think about it.

But what if you just don’t like the design of the new combine and want to stay on your old favorite iTunes? In this case, you will have to make a backup copy manually. You can also hide everything in iCloud.

So, let's try to figure it out possible options backup...

Let's start with the fact that there are 2 ways to save an iPhone backup.

On a computer with using iTunes.
In the cloud, on Apple servers via iCloud.

What is more convenient, everyone chooses for themselves.

Simultaneously: both iTunes and iCloud backup copy iPhone cannot be stored!

In old iTunes

This is done quite simply, you just need to follow these steps:

Connect your device to your computer.
Select your device on the left in the partition selection column.
In the device window that opens, scroll to "Backup" .
Select the copying path: either it will be iCloud or a classic copy on your computer.
Wait for the backup process to complete.

In the new iTunes

IN new iTunes Version 11 (if you have it installed and you disabled autobackup and forgot to do the last one) you only need:

Connect the device to the computer.
Select a device at the top right by its name.
Click the button "Backup" .

Where is iPhone backup stored on computer:

This location depends on the operating system installed on your computer:

Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\.
Vista or Windows 7: Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\.
MacOS: \Users\Username\Libraries\Application Support\MobileSync\Backup.

Backup to iCloud

From now on, backups to the Apple server will occur every day without your participation.

But for this you need:

Internet connection via Wi-Fi.
Connecting iPhone to a power source.
Screen lock.

You can create it yourself, manually. backup copy. To do this, connect your iPhone to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Open "Settings" - "iCloud" - "Storage & Backups". Select "Create a copy".

How to Restore an iPhone Backup

In old iTunes

In the right sidebar, select your iPhone. Click the right mouse button on this item.
In the menu that appears, select "Restore from backup". Specify the desired iPhone backup. Click "Restore".

In the new iTunes

In the lower right corner, click the device button. Go to the Review tab. Click "Restore from copy".

Transfer data from iPhone

We considered the first option.

Option number two is a situation where you can’t make a backup through iTunes, but you need to do it.

Attention - for the method described below you will need installed jailbreak on your device. This method is not exactly a method, but only an opportunity to save the remains of Pompeii under various force majeure circumstances.

So, if iTunes does not want or cannot perform a backup, but it is very necessary, then the following will help to get out of the situation to some extent:

Contacts - var/mobile/Library/AddressBook. (backup iPhone contacts. There are two files in the folder, save both.).
SMS- var/mobile/Library/SMS .
Mail - var/mobile/Library/Mail .
Notes - /var/mobile/Library/Notes/ .
Programs from App Store should be in iTunes, if not, click on iTunes on iPhone right click mouse, then - “Transfer purchases”.
Programs from Cydia will have to be reinstalled. You can save a list of them using AptBackup by installing the appropriate application from Cydia.
Photos are in var/mobile/Media/DCIM .
The music must be in iTunes, if not, copy it using file manager(and just don’t try to copy it back to them later, it will ruin your media library on your phone and you’ll only have to restore it complete update libraries).
The ringtones should be in iTunes, if not, copy them using the file manager for iPhone (don’t even try to copy them back later, it will ruin your media library on your phone!).
Calendar - /var/mobile/Library/Calendar .
Bookmarks, history - /var/mobile/Library/Safari .
Safari bookmarks as desktop icons /var/mobile/Library/WebClips .

On all folders from the Library transferred manually, it is necessary to check the rights (0700 Owner - mobile, Group - mobile), and on the files themselves that are inside (0644 Owner - mobile, Group - mobile). If the rights are set correctly, then the contacts will be saved normally and there will be no crashes.

Now, having learned how and where to make a Backup, you will no longer be afraid of data loss when changing your phone, or in a situation where you made a mistake when

An iPhone backup is necessary to ensure data safety in case of OS reinstallation, device failure, software failure or cloud service failure. Ensure information synchronization:

Address book (all contacts) and call history.
A complete list of calendars, reminders, notes, and messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS).
All photos created using the device (with the exception of photos transported from other media);
Programs (games, documentation).
Movies in third-party applications (not converted for iPhone);
Safari browser data.

How to choose a storage location?

Important to know! It is allowed to store copies only in one place, without the possibility of duplication.

Via iTunes

There are different instructions for new and old iTunes.

For older iTunes, the following procedure is provided:

Connecting the device to a computer.
Search for it in the column on the left, where it is provided full review sections.
Using the “Backups” item at the bottom of the device window.
Selecting the copy path (iCloud, or classic version on PC).
Waiting for the copying process to complete.

Connecting the device to a PC.
Search for a device by name.
Start a backup by clicking on the “Create a copy” button.

Using Apple's cloud service - iCloud

When you enable backup, the operation will be carried out daily in automatic mode, subject to a number of requirements:

Internet connections;
Availability of a power source;
Screen lock.

Restoring data from a backup copy is available the first time you start the phone device. A request always appears on the screen; the procedure is carried out after specifying the login and password.

Where can I find copies on my Mac PC?

To find a list of backups, you need to click in the menu bar and enter:

Exists alternative way search for backup:

With the iTunes app open, click iTunes in the menu bar and select the Settings option.
Select "Devices".
While holding down the Control button, all that remains is to select the backup copy and select the “Show in Finder” command.

Where to find a backup in Windows 7, 8 or 10

To search for a list of backups, select:

Or use the alternative:

Find the search string:

In Windows 7 OS, click on the “Start” button.
In Windows 8 OS, click on the magnifying glass icon on the right, in the corner.
In Windows 10, go to the search bar next to “Start”.

Enter %appdata% in the search bar.
Click on the “Enter” button.
Double click on the folders: AppleComputer > Mobile Sync > Backup.

Where can I find copies on PC?

Where is the iPhone backup saved on the computer? Where to find data using iTunes or Apple - iCloud, determine the storage paths of the OS type - brief instructions are provided below:

In the “Username” section you should indicate suitable option. Owners of PCs running Mac OS may encounter problems finding the “Libraries” folder. It is hidden on version 10.7 (Lion) and higher. To access it, you must own command line or:
Launch Finder and activate the “Transition” tab at the top.

By clicking on the Alt button, the “Libraries” folder will be displayed in the menu; you should go to it.

Other storage locations

iTunes and a cloud service can be used to store copies. A negative characteristic of these places is their limited functionality. Only deleting the backup copy is allowed; other manipulations are not possible. To search for a copy in iTunes, you should launch the program and go to the settings section.

In the window that appears, select the “Devices” tab

The window displays full list backup copies stored on the PC and the date they were created.

It is allowed to delete copies without performing other operations (copying or transferring).

Data recovery

As a result of synchronization, a backup copy is created on the iPhone. In the future, it will be used to restore data and transport it to different devices. Encrypted backups (in iOS 4) ensure that passwords and copies are transferred to new devices.

Regardless of the type of experiment performed on the iPhone, it is important to remember that before tampering with it, you should create a backup copy. This function will ensure the safety of all necessary information when you change your phone, or make an error when taking actions to improve it.

How to delete outdated iOS device backups in iTunes?

For the convenience of users, the size of backups stored in iCloud is reduced. But not everyone is comfortable moving to the cloud, entrusting all the information to the device remote server Apple. For many, iTunes has long been known convenient way developing a backup copy stored locally on drive “C”. But without understanding this procedure, there is a risk of filling several GB of disk without necessary information(old backup copy of devices).

How to delete outdated backups? Procedure:

The first step is to launch iTunes. Regardless of the OS, Apple's media system is usually included on the device.

Call up the player settings. For Mac, you need to select iTunes - Preferences in the top menu. For Windows, go to Edit - Settings. In case hidden string menu, you must first press Alt on your keyboard.

In the settings section, it remains to activate the “Devices” tab. This will allow you to review all saved documents.

Then you should decide on the choice of method for further action. The first option involves selecting all outdated backups and clicking on the “Delete backups” button. The second method allows you, instead of canceling copies, to open the context menu and select the “Archiving” tab. This helps protect your backups from further changes. For many, this function is useful to ensure the safety of the device’s state for a given period of time.

How to quickly switch from storing copies on your PC to the cloud?

All you need to do is connect desired device and on the “Overview” tab in the “Backups” section, change the checkbox to iCloud. By clicking the “Create a copy now” button, the first copy will be purposefully created, with further changes made in automatic mode as the information on the smartphone or tablet is updated. It is important to remember that data synchronization with iCloud is available provided the PC is connected to charger and the Internet.

To disable backup, users are asked to call the Terminal utility and type the command:

How to reduce the size of iCloud backups

When constantly using more than one iOS device, many users prefer to ensure the safety of backups not on the PC, but in the iCloud cloud, which leads to a lack of free space. The standard 5 GB is not enough for many to back up multiple devices that are used for a long time. And not everyone will want to spend money on a more capacious cloud. A convenient solution would be to unload it and free up valuable megabytes.

Working with a device backup in iCloud requires preparing all iOS devices that save backups in the cloud. The iCloud Control Panel accessible from OS X or Windows does not provide the functionality you expect. The optimal solution would be to use your first iOS device and go to the “Settings” section. There you should activate the “iCloud” button and go to the storage and backups section.

In the “Storage” item, pay attention to the “Documents and Data” tab. It usually contains games and programs that provide the ability to synchronize information between devices using iCloud. If applications do not start, you should use the “Change” button (top right) and select the “Delete all” command. After successfully removing unnecessary applications, all that remains is to do backups.

By specifying the backup copies of the device you are using, the screen will display the date the last copy was created and its current parameters. Below, iOS reports the amount of space occupied by the next backup, provided the device is connected to the network again. Next, a list of applications occupying MB in iCloud will be displayed.

You should specify the “Browse all programs” command, which will display a list standard applications iOS, and those that were installed and uninstalled independently. The main task is to disable applications that do not contain valuable information.

The best option is to reduce the size of backup copies of all devices stored in the cloud using the instructions above. This will delay the need to purchase extra GB of iCloud and revert to wired backup through iTunes.

Overview of backup information for iOS devices

It is allowed to copy and save information on iOS devices using backup. When you change devices, backups allow you to transfer data to new iOS hardware. To maintain an additional backup, it will be convenient to create one copy in iCloud and another in iTunes.

iCloud

Copies are stored in iCloud.
The storage has dimensions up to 1 TB (the first 5 GB are free).
Encryption of the backup copy is required.
Creation and use of backup copies can be carried out anywhere (if you have access to Wi-Fi networks)

iTunes

Backups are saved to Mac computer or with Windows OS.
The storage size depends on the amount of free disk space on your Mac or Windows PC.
Encryption of the backup copy is allowed (not active by default).
It is possible to create and use backup copies on a Mac PC or Windows OS.

Features of iCloud backup

When connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can back up your device via iCloud. This does not require connecting the device to a PC or being at home.

In copies created via the cloud, the safety of data and device settings is ensured, with the exception of a number of components:

data previously saved in the cloud (contacts, calendars, notes, files from the My Photo Stream album and iCloud media libraries);
data stored in other cloud services (Gmail or Exchange);
Touch settings ID;
content from iCloud Photo Library and the App Store.

Features of Backup via iTunes

On a Mac PC or Windows OS, you can create backup copies of your device via iTunes. The operation is not possible when synchronizing the device with a PC. Backups created through iTunes ensure the safety of data and device settings, with the exception of a number of elements:

iTunes-synced content (imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos);
previously saved photos in the cloud (files from the My Photo Stream album and iCloud library);
Touch ID settings;
information and Apple settings Pay;
Data from the Activity, Health, and Keychain apps (you should use the encryption feature to back them up).

Using a backup from one device to another iPhone to iPad

When restoring a device from a backup created for another unit (for example, via an iPad), it is important to be prepared for the inability to transfer some data:

Photo.
Attachments to SMS.
Voice recordings and incompatible applications.

Despite the fact that Apple suggests that iPhone owners create backups in cloud storage not everyone uses this opportunity. Many users prefer to do things the old fashioned way. Local copies are created using iTunes and stored on your computer. This method eliminates the need to use the Internet, but at the same time increases dependence on the reliability of PC components. Fatal OS error or hard drive malfunction disk may result in irreversible data loss. You can protect yourself from unpleasant surprises if you know where your iPhone backup is stored on your computer.

and backups

iTunes has been and remains the standard program for working with Apple smartphones on macOS or Windows. It can be used to connect to a PC any iPhone: 4S, 5, SE, 6, 7, 8 or X. The backup storage format that will be created is the same for all compatible operating systems. Thanks to this, they can be transferred from Mac to computer under Windows control and back without editing. The choice of storage location is made by each user when they first connect to iTunes. After that synchronize mobile device You can communicate with a PC or the cloud wirelessly.

Let's take a closer look at where to find local copy files in different operating systems.

Mac computers

On computers manufactured by Apple, completed backups are stored in the “Libraries” area, protected from direct user access. You can quickly find them directly from iTunes settings.

In the top status bar, click on the program name. In the drop-down menu, select the item marked in the screenshot.

In iTunes settings, go to the “Devices” tab. Having selected the backup you are interested in, call up the context menu. The item shown in the next photo allows you to open a protected area or delete an unnecessary copy.

The folder in which the backup is stored has an alphanumeric designation. The content is encrypted and will not be viewable. The found directory can only be saved to external media or copied to another computer.

Windows computers

There are several ways to install iTunes on your PC. Classic involves using the program's installation package. On Windows 10, you can use the Microsoft Store for this purpose. The chosen installation option determines where the copy files will be located.

Classic installation

The installation package is suitable for use on any Windows versions. Backups created in iTunes installed in this way will be saved in a directory that is hidden by default. You can make it visible in the OS settings, but we use a different access option.

Call the “Run” menu using the keyboard shortcut Win + R. Enter “%%” into the text field. This way we can find and view backup files directly without having to navigate through menu items.

An Explorer window will open, in which we need to find the “” directory marked in the screenshot.

We sequentially open the folders nested in it, following the path marked with a frame. The iPhone backup we need will be stored in the “”. The folder with it is indicated by an arrow in the screenshot.

Windows 10

When using iTunes installed from the app store, iPhone backups will be located in a different directory of the operating system. To find them again, use the “Run” menu.

Enter the command “%userprofile%” into the text field.

This time you need to look for the “Apple” directory in the Explorer window.

Sequentially opening the subfolders, we find the one indicated in the screenshot. It, like last time, will be placed in the “” directory.

Copy management

You can copy a backup from another computer to the storage locations described above. This will automatically add the data to iTunes.

Open the program and click on the “Edit” tab in the control panel. In the drop-down menu, go to the “Settings” item marked in the screenshot.

Switch to the “Devices” section. If you hover your mouse over the list of backups, you can view general information about the smartphone in the pop-up menu. When another PC was used to create a backup, this option may be useful. When you select files contained in the list, the button marked with the number “three” automatically becomes active. Thus, based on information about the data contained in the backup, you can make a decision and delete files that are no longer relevant for storage.

In conclusion

Using these tips, you can find a local backup created in iTunes on a computer with any compatible operating system.

Video instructions

In the video below, you can study the procedure for performing the described actions in more detail.