How to change sync folder in itunes. Where does iTunes store backups on your computer?

The job of iTunes is to be able to manage Apple devices from your computer. In particular, using this program, you can create backup copies and store them on your computer in order to restore the device at any time. Don't know where iTunes backups are stored on computer? This article will answer this question.

The ability to restore devices from a backup is one of the undeniable advantages of Apple devices. The process of creating, storing and restoring from a backup appeared at Apple a long time ago, but so far no manufacturer can provide a service of this quality.

When you create a backup through iTunes, you have two options for storing them: in cloud storage iCloud and on a computer. If you chose the second option when creating a backup, then, if necessary, you can find the backup on your computer in order, for example, to transfer it to another computer.

Where iTunes saves backups

Please note that only one iTunes backup is created per device. For example, you have iPhone and iPad gadgets, which means that with each update of the backup, the old backup will be replaced for each device with a new one.

  1. It's easy to see when your devices were last backed up. To do this, in the upper area of ​​the iTunes window, click on the tab "Edit" and then open the section "Settings" .

  2. "Devices" . The names of your devices will be displayed here, as well as the last date the backup was created.

  3. To get to the folder on your computer that stores backups for your devices, you first need to open the display of hidden folders. To do this, open the menu "Control Panel" , set the information display mode in the upper right corner "Small Icons" , and then go to the section "Explorer Options" .

  4. In the window that opens, go to the tab "View" . Go down to the very end of the list and check the box "Show hidden files, folders and drives" . Save your changes.

  5. Now, when you open Windows Explorer, you will need to navigate to the folder containing the backup, the location of which depends on the version of your operating system.

    iTunes backup folder for Windows XP and Winows Vista:

    C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\

    iTunes backup folder for Windows 7 and above:

    C:\Users\USERNAME\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\

    Each backup is displayed as a folder with its own unique name, consisting of forty letters and symbols. In this folder you will find a large number of files that do not have an extension.

    How to find out which device a backup belongs to

    Given the names of the backups, it is difficult to immediately determine by eye which device this or that folder belongs to. You can understand the ownership of a backup in the following way:


    Now you know where iTunes saves backups. We hope this article was helpful to you.

An iPhone or iPad does not require any special knowledge. Apple engineers have made this process as simple and accessible as possible for ordinary users. But what if you need to transfer a backup from one computer to another? Or get some specific data from an iTunes backup? Or download the entire iCloud backup to your computer? With any of these and many other non-standard tasks related to iPhone backups, this guide will help you cope.

Where is the iPhone backup stored

Let's start moving from simple operations to complex ones. Let's say you need to back up your iPhone or iPad using iTunes. For example, in order to save it on external media or in cloud storage. This can be useful if the backup contains really important information and you want to additionally make sure that it does not disappear anywhere. Even if your computer crashes.

It is very easy to find a backup, but it is located in different places on different operating systems.

  • On macOS: in ~//Libraries/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/.
  • On Windows XP: in \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\.
  • On Windows 7/8/10: in \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\.

On computers under Windows control 7/8/10 iTunes backup folder is hidden. First you need to make it visible. To do this, go to Control Panel» → « Folders settings» → « View' and check the box ' Show hidden files, folders and drives».

Note that on new versions of Microsoft OS, it is even easier to navigate to the folder with backups. Just press " Start"and enter the command in the search " %appdata%/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup" (without quotes). The result of the request will open a folder with iTunes backups saved on the computer.

How to determine for which device which copy

We managed to determine the location of the iPhone and iPad backups, but now how to figure out which folder to copy? The backup folder will meet you with a similar window if you backed up several iOS devices in iTunes.

Luckily, finding the right folder is easy. To do this, go to one of the backup folders and find the file in it Info.plist. Open it with a text editor like WordPad and search for it product name. Under the line found, it will be written to which of your mobile devices this copy belongs.

How to properly transfer a backup to another drive

Finding and copying a folder from a backup from one drive to another is not enough to transfer it correctly. In order for the backup to be determined in iTunes after the transfer, you need to create symbolic links.

For Windows

Step 1. Close iTunes.

Step 2: Copy the folder \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ to another drive, for example, to a folder \Backup\Backup.

Step 3: Delete the backup folder from the drive you moved from. Important! Be sure to make sure that the folder has been copied completely to avoid accidental data loss.

Step 4: Run Command Prompt as Administrator To do this, go to the menu Start", enter in the search query" Command line", right-click on the utility's shortcut and click " Run as administrator».

Step 5. In command line enter the following command:

MKLINK /D “old path to backup folder” “new path”.

MKLINK /D “C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\” “D:\Backup\Backup”,

  • C:\ is the drive letter where backups were previously stored.
  • D:\ is the letter of the drive you want to transfer the backups to.
  • Username is your username.
  • \Backup\Backup - the folder where the backup was copied in step 2.

Let's take an even more illustrative example. If your Windows username is "Vasily Petrov" and you are transferring backups from drive C to drive E, then you need to enter the following command:

MKLINK /D “C:\Users\Vasily Petrov\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\” “E:\Backup\Backup”.

Step 6. If everything is done correctly, the result of the operation will be a message about the successful creation of symbolic links.

Ready! You have transferred backups from one drive to another. You can verify this by launching iTunes and going to the menu " Edit» → « Settings» → « Devices". In the list " Device backups» a list of all your backups will be available.

For Mac

Step 1: Quit iTunes To do this, right-click on the iTunes icon in the panel Dock and select " Complete».

Step 2. Go to the folder /Library/Application Support/MobileSync/.

Step 3: Copy the folder Backup to another drive, then delete the original backup folder. Again, we warn you that you need to wait for the copy to complete, otherwise you may lose important data.

Step 4Run " Terminal". The easiest way to do this is with a search. Spotlight.

Step 5. In the window " Terminal» enter the command:

ln -s /Volumes/new_folder/Backup /Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync/,

where "new_folder" is the folder where you previously moved the backups.

Ready! You can check the success of the operation by launching iTunes and looking for backups on the "Devices" tab.

Similarly, iTunes backups are activated on a computer with a reinstalled system, or on a new computer. In order for iTunes to see the backups of your devices, after installing it on new system you will need to enter one of the above commands.

How to extract data from iPhone and iPad backups

Quite often, iPhone and iPad users need to extract some specific information or files from an old, and sometimes up-to-date backup copy of an iOS device. The iTools utility, well known to many owners of Apple technology, helps with the solution of this problem.

Step 1. Download latest version iTools with official website programs. Note that the utility is completely free.

Step 2. Unpack the archive with the utility and run iTools.exe. You don't have to connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.

Step 3. Go to the tab " Tools».

Step 4. Choose a tool iTunes Backup Manager.

Step 5. Double click on the backup you want to extract files from.

Step 6. Select the information you want to unload from the backup, click " Export” and specify the folder where the files will be saved.

iTools allows you to extract a wide variety of information from iPhone and iPad backups, from contacts and text messages to documents from applications and photos. Most data is downloaded in the traditional way, but there are a couple of exceptions.

First, data from applications. You can find them using iTools, but you have to tinker. The fact is that the utility does not show a list with a clear enumeration of the names of applications. Because of this, it will not be possible to quickly find the application you need, but the main thing is that it is possible. To start the search, you need to go to the folder var → mobile → Applications, in which it is already methodical to search for applications whose data you need.

We recommend focusing on names that, although not specific, contain information about the application. Viber messenger attachments, for example, can be found in the folder com.viber → attachments.

And secondly, it is not so easy to download a contact book and a collection of text messages. There are no problems with their detection, they are in the section " General directories” under their own names, but with further use there. In the backup, contacts and SMS are stored in the ".sqlitedb" format, which is not launched by any standard utilities. Therefore, you will need to use a special converter.

Step 1. Download free program SQLite Browser.

Step 2. Install and run the program.

Step 3. Click ctrl + O and select a contact book file in the format .sqlitedb.

Note: "All files" must be selected as the file type.

Step 4. Go to the tab " Executing SQL” and paste the following command into the form:

select ABPerson.prefix,ABPerson.suffix, ABPerson.first,ABPerson.middle,ABPerson.last, ABMultiValue.value, ABPerson.note, ABPerson.nickname, ABPerson.organization, ABPerson.department, ABPerson.jobtitle, ABPerson.birthday from ABPerson ,ABMultiValue where ABMultiValue.record_id=ABPerson.ROWID

Step 5. Click the button start.

Step 6. Click on the save button and select " Export to CSV».

Immediately after that, your contact book (or text messages) will appear in the specified folder in a format that is digestible for later use.

How to download iCloud backup

Step 1. Download and install Wondershare Dr.Fone for iOS utility from official website programs. The application, alas, is paid, like any other tool with a similar set of functions.

Step 2. Launch Wondershare Dr.Fone and go to menu Recover from iCloud Backup File.

Step 3. Enter your username and password account Apple ID.

Step 4. Wait for the list of backups to appear.


 Step 5. Select the required backup and click Download.

Step 6. Check the boxes for the backup data you need to download.

Step 7. Wait for the processing process to finish and the list of data downloaded from iCloud to appear in the program window. Select the required files and click Recovery.

Step 8. In the window that opens, select the item Recover to Computer and specify the folder where the files will be saved.

If you have no desire to spend money on special utilities, then there is only one way out, very obvious. Back up your iPhone or iPad to iTunes, follow full reset mobile device and during the initial setup, select a copy from iCloud as a backup for recovery. Thanks to this solution, your iPhone or iPad will have the very iCloud backup that you need. Next, a copy of the gadget should be made in iTunes and the method we described earlier to access it. Of course, not the most convenient way to use, but, nevertheless, it works.


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Mobile devices such as the iPhone are in great demand among the population. To work with gadgets, there are various applications and programs. For example, iTunes is a very popular software. The application allows you to synchronize mobile device with a computer, as well as work with information on a tablet / phone. For example, it is becoming a common feature to back up user data. You can find the corresponding document at any time and restore it to your iPhone/iPad. But not everyone understands where iTunes saves the backup. Where to look for it in one case or another?

For Windows

Much depends on the operating system in question. The fact is that the majority of users work with Windows. Accordingly, iTunes saves backup copies in specially designated places. Where exactly?

The version of the operating system also plays an important role. For example, you can work with:

  • Windows XP;
  • Vista;
  • Windows 7/8/8.1/10.

In all these versions, iTunes saves backup data in different areas. So what folders are they in? Where should the user enter in this or that case?

For Windows XP, the following is relevant: Documents and Settings/Computer/MobileSync user. You need to find a folder called BackUp. It contains all the backups made by the application.

You can also work in Windows Vista. This is far from the most common case. Where does iTunes back up user data on Vista? You can find it at: Documents and Settings/username/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/MobileSync. As in the previous case, you need to explore the "Backup" folder.

Newer versions of Windows are easier to work with. Just go to section hard drive on which the OS is installed. Next go to: Users/Name/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer. As before, you need to find the MobileSync folder, and in it - "Backup".

If there is no folder

Sometimes it happens that there is no necessary document in Windows. Then users wonder where the iTunes backup is. After all, the application works, it stores this or that information somewhere.

In fact, BackUp is simply hidden from the user's eyes. In order to correct the situation, you need:

  1. Select "Folder Options" - "View".
  2. Check the box next to "Show files and folders hidden from the user".
  3. Press "OK".

macOS

Some users work with MacOS. This is not the most common case, but it still happens. Where does iTunes save the backup information in such a case?

Finding the required file is not difficult. It is enough to follow the following address: Users/user/Library/Application Support. This is where the MobileSync folder will be.

Now each user will be able to discover one or another copy made by iTunes for iPhone or iPad. If necessary, you can delete it or copy it to removable media.

Determining the iPhone version

You should pay attention to the fact that all backups that are made using iTunes are created for specific device models. This means that the file will not be recognized on newer/older phones.

It is clear where iTunes saves the backup. And how to determine for which smartphone / tablet it was made?

Look directions by definition iPhone versions, compatible with the data, something like this:

  1. Find the folder where all copies from iTunes are stored.
  2. Open the desired package of documents. The folder will definitely contain the Info.Plist file.
  3. Run the document with any text editor. For example, Notepad is perfect.
  4. Find line: product name.
  5. Now you should carefully study the information between the lines. It is there that something like the iPhone 5S will be written.

Ready! From now on, it is clear how to find it, and also how you can understand on which version of the iPhone certain data were created.

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 accumulated over the years, if possible, then this is not easy to do.

How to transfer iTunes backups to another drive in Windows 7, 8 and 10

  1. Close iTunes.
  2. Copy or move the C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ folder to another drive (substitute your username). Just in case, copy the folder somewhere else.

    In my virtual machine Windows 10 in it is located along the path: C:\Users\le7andr\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

  3. Run the command line (command line handler) "cmd.exe" with administrator rights ("Start" -> "Search programs and files" -> "cmd" -> Right-click on the context menu on the file "cmd.exe" and select "Run as administrator"). The name of the command prompt window must be "Administrator: C: / Windows / System32 / cmd.exe".

  4. Enter the command: MKLINK / D "from" "to"

    Example:
    mklink /d "C:\Users\Alexander Varakin\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\" D:\iTunes\Backup

    Replace "Alexander Varakin" with your username. If the path contains spaces (here, Apple Computer), it must be enclosed in quotation marks (""). To avoid manually typing the path, drag the desired folder to the command prompt window. Press Enter.


  5. Command execution example.
  6. Launch iTunes and check for backups in the program settings on the "Devices" tab.

How to Transfer iTunes Backups to Another Drive in Windows XP

  1. Close iTunes.
  2. Copy or move the C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ folder to another drive (substitute your username). Just in case, it is better to copy the folder somewhere else.
  3. Delete the "Backup" folder on the system drive (where the backups were moved from).
  4. Download Junction from the link, unzip, for example, to the root of drive "C".
  5. Run the command line "cmd.exe" with administrator rights ("Start" -> "Search programs and files" -> "cmd" -> Right-click on the context menu on the file "cmd.exe" and select "Run as administrator" "). The name of the command prompt window must be "Administrator: C: / Windows / System32 / cmd.exe".
  6. At the command prompt, 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" - a new path to the folder with backups.

    Example: C:\Junction\junction.exe "C:\Users\Alexander Varakin\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\" D:\iTunes\Backup -s

  7. Launch iTunes and check for backups in the program settings on the "Devices" tab.

How to Transfer iTunes Backups to Another Drive in Mac OS X

For Mac computers with Reserve copy using the Time Machine built into OS X or third-party programs, and the issue of the safety of backups is not so acute, but still useful to someone.

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


Transferred backups will be available in iTunes until the next operating system reinstall, after which the symbolic links will need to be recreated.

As you can see, it is not difficult to find an iTunes backup on Windows computer or Mac. It is not difficult to move "heavy" backups to another drive (partition or external drive) and associate them with iTunes using symbolic links.

If you have any questions or additions, write in the comments - we will discuss.

The backup is stored on iPhone and iPad, but the phone does not turn on or the screen is broken, you need to return it to the device or computer, or extract all the necessary information from iPhone and iPad backups. Then you can only restore the entire backup, but restore the data you want. Now let's find out how to selectively restore data from iCloud and iTunes backup.

The data contains contacts, messages, call history, music, photos, videos, installed apps, reminders, notes, calendars, calendar events, documents, WhatsApp messages, web browsing history, browser favorites and more. And supports all devices: iPhone X/8/7/7 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPhone 5s/5c/5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, etc . iOS systems: iOS 12/11 and earlier.

How to View iPhone Backup on Computer

The program is recommended, it supports free viewing of the backup by file formats and titles, and then extracting data from the phone if the phone does not turn on. Before recovery, you can preview these files and select the desired data.

There is another feature, before preview, the application allows you to scan the backup on your computer's disk. Sometimes you only know where the lost backup is stored, but don't know the detailed folder. UltData helps you find your lost or deleted information quickly and easily. Click "Go get back deleted iTunes backup>>".

How to extract a backup from iTunes

Extracting all the necessary information from a broken iPhone requires the use of UltData. Follow the steps below and you can extract data from a phone with a broken screen:

1. Go to "Restore from iTunes Backup". iPhone Data Recovery automatically displays all backup files in iTunes.


Note. If the backup is not saved by default, you must manually import the backup file. Click Import Backup Files.

2. Select the data you want to recover. And you can pull contacts and messages from iTunes backup.


3. Not only that, but also by clicking "Exit Settings", select export formats. Next, after clicking "Recover", the following window will appear, you can restore data to the computer and to the device.


How to extract a backup from iCloud

How to extract contacts and photos from iCloud backup, for example, below we will talk about how to extract photos from iCloud backup.


The program allows you to quickly and easily extract data from iPhone and iPad backup, in addition, if you need to transfer and import data from iPhone, iPad and iPod to computer, iPhone Data Recovery is convenient for you.

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