Change itunes backup path. Where are iPad and iPhone backups stored on PC or Mac? Instructions for solving the problem
iPhone Sync and iPad without iTunes
Problems syncing iTunes to iPad or iPhone.
At in large numbers files on iPad or iPhone, at the time of synchronization, namely when saving backup,iTunes throws an error and refuses to sync.
The reason for the iTunes sync error.
The problem is in caused by insufficient free space on the hard drive, in particular on the system partition "C". You have to delete or transfer various files from system disk to free up space. But what if you have nothing else to transfer, but there is still not enough space and the error persists. There is a solution. You can move your Backup iTunes backup to another partition. How to do this, read our instructions.
Alternative solution!
The solution is to stop using iTunes as the main program to transfer files from your computer to your iPad or iPhone. Our experts will help you with installation, configuration and training this program. Call ‹ 495 › 22 66 298 and leave a request to visit a specialist to your house. Departure is carried out throughout Moscow within an hour after the application is made.
Setting up an iPhone or iPad from 400 rubles.
Instructions for solving the problem.
The first steps are the same for everyone operating systems . First you need to go to iTunes settings and delete all backups of your iPad or iPhone there. It is done like this. You launch iTunes, find the "Settings" tab at the top, go to the "Devices" section. Select unnecessary backups and click "Delete Backup".
Setting. Transferring a Backup on a Mac OS Computer.
Next, we need to check the Backup folder itself, which is located at /Users/[your username]/Libraries/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/ . In it, we need to make sure that there are no copies left that we do not need. If left, then delete the extra folders with copies. The folder with the latest backup can be identified by the date and time it was created. Then we cut the "Backup" folder and paste it into the desired partition on the hard drive. There should be no Backup packs left along the old path. Now we need to tell iTunes where our Backup folder is located. Create a symbolic link through the Terminal. Select "Programs", then "Utilities", "Terminal". Next, enter the command: “ln -s /Volumes/Macintosh_new disk/here is the path to the folder/Backup/Volumes/old hard disk or partition/Users/your username/Library/Application Support/MobileSync” (the underscore “_” symbolizes a space ).
. Transferring a Backup on a computer running Windows 7.
The Backup folder in windows 7 is located at "\Users\your username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\". We also check for unnecessary backups in this folder and delete them. Next, create a Backup folder on another partition and transfer everything that was in the Backup folder on the system disk to it. Now we need to create a symbolic link. We enter the menu "Start", "Accessories", "Command Prompt" click on it right click"Run as administrator". In the window that opens, enter the following: mklink /d_"C:\Users\your username\AppData\Roaming\Application Support\MobileSync\Backup"_d:\name or path to the new folder (quotes are needed before "C:\ and after \ Backup" because the path contains spaces in the folder name, _ underscore is a space). This completes the transfer. Trying to sync iPad or iPhone.
If you have accidentally deleted some information from your iOS device and are hoping to restore it, then an iTunes backup can be a great help.
An iTunes backup occurs automatically every time you connect your iPad or iPhone to iTunes (unless you have enabled the backup option). copy iCloud), or manually when you right-click the device in iTunes and select "Back Up". They are stored on your computer and contain important data such as contacts, text messages, calendar, notes, call history and app data.
So, where are iPhone or iPad backups stored? It depends on which operating system your computer is using, although the default backup location is the same between iOS versions.
Where is the iTunes backup folder in Windows?
iTunes backups are stored in %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync on Windows.
On Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista, this will be a path like \Users\\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup .
On Windows XP it will be like \Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup .
The Microsoft Store version of iTunes is slightly different: it stores its backups in %HOMEPATH%\Apple\MobileSync . This will be a path like \Users\\Apple\MobileSync\Backup .
Where is the iTunes backup folder in macOS/OS X?
iTunes backups are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync on macOS.
This folder is usually located in /Users//Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup .
In macOS 10.15 Finder backs up iPhone, not iTunes. However, these backups are stored in the same location.
How to Automatically Find Your iTunes Backup Folder
iPhone Backup Extractor will automatically find the iTunes backup for you and can open it with one click. This functionality is in free version so it won't cost anything.
- Download and Install iPhone Backup Extractor
- Open the Preferences window from the application's dropdown menu
- Select the Backups tab.
- If the window says "We always look for backups in the default folder", click the "Default Folder" link. Easy!
Opening iTunes Backup Folder in Windows
Open the default backup location in File Explorer with the " Starting Windows". Press ⊞ Win + R and the Run window will appear. Type %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync and press ⏎ Enter .
For the Microsoft Store version of iTunes, you can do this: Press ⊞ Win + R and the Run window will appear. Type %HOMEPATH%\Apple\MobileSync and press ⏎ Enter .
Here's what it looks like on Windows 10:
A folder named "Backup" will appear in the File Explorer window that opens. This contains any iTunes backups that are already present on the computer.
Finding the iTunes backup folder on macOS
The default backup location can be displayed in the Finder using Spotlight. Pressing ⌘ Cmd + and type ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync before pressing ⏎ Enter .
A folder named "Backup" will appear in the Finder window that opens. This contains any iTunes backups that are already present on the computer.
Changing location of iTunes backup folder?
If you'd like to change the default folder iTunes backs up to, we've got a handy guide on our help center.
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 an iPhone or iPad that you made with iTunes help. For example, in order to save it on external media or in cloud storage. This can be useful if the backup contains real 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 text editor, for example, WordPad and search for the query 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 for it correct transfer. 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! Check successful implementation operations you can launch iTunes and look at the availability of 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 the latest iTools version With official site 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. Them at iTools help you can find, 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 site 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 end of the processing process and the appearance of the list of downloaded files in the program window. iCloud data. 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 don't want 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 initial setup choose a copy from iCloud as a backup to restore. 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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Backing up to a PC has already been mentioned more than once, for example, in a previous article. Cause transfer iPad backup to another drive, that there is simply not enough space on the main hard drive and it becomes necessary to transfer data to another HDD. Backing up iOS devices eats up quite a lot of free space and naturally there is a desire to transfer copies. iCloud, designed for these purposes, is not held in high esteem by everyone. So, today I will talk about transferring an iPad backup to another drive (including external HDD) on the example of operating systems Windows 7/Vista, Windows XP and Mac Os. This manual is suitable for transfer iPhone and iPod backups.
Instructions for transferring a backup for Mac OS
Let's say you have two hard drives in your laptop - SSD and HDD. Place backup on SSD drive devoid of common sense. In this case, we set ourselves the task of transferring the backup to another disk.
1. Delete unnecessary backups. iTunes - Settings - Devices
2. Make sure the backups are deleted. operating room Mac system OS has the following directory containing backups of iOS devices:
/Users/[Username]/Libraries/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Important note: if you cannot find this directory through the built-in Finder tool, then install the free file manager MuCommander (well, or similar software).
View of the contents of the folder before deletion:
View of the contents of the folder after deletion:
As you can see in the example, there is 1 extra folder - this way you can get rid of old backups that can be safely deleted, guided by the rule: 1 backup = 1 folder.
3. Create on hard disk (HDD) new folder titled " «.
4. Move the folder (or several folders corresponding to the number of backups) with the backup to the folder on another disk (HDD).
Delete the folder " located on an SSD drive.
The directory looks like this:
/Volumes/SSD/Users/UserName/Library/Application\Support/MobileSync/Backup
Ln -s /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/UserName/Backup /Volumes/ SSD/Users/UserName/Library/Application\Support/MobileSync
What does this command mean:
ln-s- command to create a symbolic link
/Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/vitaliy/Backup - directory for storing backups.
/Volumes/SSD/Users/vitaliy/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync - directory location of the symbolic link pointing to the folder on another disk (HDD).
As a result of executing the command in Terminal you will get the following: in the folder Mobile Sync a shortcut will appear on the SSD drive, referring to a folder in the HDD.
Now run iTunes, then backup and as a result iPad backup saved to another drive.
Instructions for transferring a backup to Windows Vista and Windows 7
For operating systems Windows Vista and Windows 7, the creation of symbolic links is done by means of the OS. The first two points are similar to the Mac OS method described above.
1. Redefine redundant backups and delete them in the app settings iTunes and from Explorer on the hard drive. Backup directory in Windows 7:
\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\AppleComputer\MobileSync\Backup\
This directory is hidden because it refers to system folders. You can use the file manager Total Commander, by turning on the display of hidden and system files in the settings or go to Control Panel - Folder Options and uncheck the item "Hide system files and folders.
2. Suppose you wish transfer iPad backup on the local disk D. In this case, create a folder on this hard drive iTunes(the name and path of the folder is arbitrary) and transfer the entire folder with backups from drive C to the created folder iTunes on drive D.
3. Click Start and in the search bar type cmd. The top line will display applications for launching the command line - cmd. Launch it by right-clicking and select the item Run as administrator.
4. Now correctly enter the command to create a symbolic link:
What does this line mean:
mklink- command to create a symbolic link
/D- specify the directory of the symbolic link
New way- directory where backups are located on drive D.
Command execution example:
Ready! It remains to make sure that the iPad backup is saved to drive D.
Instructions for transferring an iPad backup to Windows XP
This manual is applicable for both Windows XP and other systems of the Windows family. Windows XP honored in an additional way due to the lack of this OS command mklink, so we will use the utility junction. You can download it from this link.
Using the junction utility is similar to transferring a backup of iOS devices for Windows 7.
1. Download the program and unzip. Place it in any convenient folder on your PC hard drive. Suppose in the root of the system drive: C:\Junction
2. Follow steps 1, 2, 3 of the above instructions for Windows 7 and Vista.
3. At the cmd prompt, run the following command:
C:\Junction\junction.exe SymbolicReferenceName NewPath
In these ways, you can transfer your backed up iPhone, iPod, and iPad to an external HDD if desired. If you accidentally deleted or renamed a symbolic link, then iTunes in the next process backup iOS devices will create a folder for storing backups again and continue to save the backup to its original location. Backups in the previously used directory will not be deleted. To restore the previous backup settings, remove the symbolic link and return the folder to its original place.
Oh, how often this question was asked in the comments. We will correct and respond. The main problem is that there is not enough space on the main hard drive and you need to transfer all the data to another drive. iOS device backup is just one of the space eaters we'd like to move. Yes, not everyone uses iCloud yet. :)
In the article, I will talk separately about transferring a backup to another disk (including an external one) using the example of Windows 7/Vista, Windows XP and Mac Os systems.
Instructions for Mac OS
The fact is that I have two hard drives in my laptop - SSD and HDD. Having a backup on an SSD is, of course, luxurious, but it doesn’t make much sense. Therefore, I decided to transfer the backup to another disk.
1. Delete unnecessary backups. iTunes -> Preferences -> Devices
2. We make sure that the backups are deleted. For Mac OS, the path to backups is:
/Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Important: If you do not see this path through the Finder, then install a free program: the MuCommander file manager (or any other equivalent).
Before removal:
After removal:
As you can see, I still have one extra folder - that's how very ancient and unnecessary backups are located, which can also be deleted. There should be one folder per backup.
3. On the HDD create a folder - call Backup.
4. We transfer the folder (or folders, if there are several copies) with the backup to Backup on another disk.
4.1. Delete the Backup folder along the old path. In my case: /Volumes/SSD/Users/dmitry/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync/Backup
ln -s /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/dmitry/Backup /Volumes/SSD/Users/dmitry/Library/Application\Support/MobileSync
In fact, nothing complicated - I will explain the command:
ln-s– command to create a symbolic link.
/Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/dmitry/Backup – the path where you will now store backups. Note the backslash “\” before HD. I so simply escaped the space character in the path.
/Volumes/SSD/Users/dmitry/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync - the path where your symbolic link will lie, roughly speaking a shortcut to the Backup folder on another disk.
In general, after executing the command in the terminal, you will have something like the following picture. In the Mobile Sync folder on the old drive, something like a shortcut (using Windows terminology) to a folder on the other drive will appear. Let's look at the properties.
We launch iTunes. Let's start the backup. That's it - the backup is saved to another disk, which is exactly what we needed.
Instructions for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Here everything is not much more complicated than for Mac OS. For these two systems, symbolic links can be created using the system itself. If you have Vista or Seven, I recommend creating links exactly as I describe.
In order not to repeat myself with screenshots, I will briefly describe the initial steps (for more details, read steps 1 and 2 of the instructions for Mac OS a little higher).
1. We find out which backups we have extra and delete them in the iTunes settings and in file system. The ways in which the system stores them:
\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
These paths through a regular explorer may not be available - I recommend using a file manager (Total Commander or Far Manager). Required in settings file manager turn on the display of hidden and system files.
2. Let's say we want to transfer an iPad backup to drive D. Create an iTunes folder on drive D (choose the name and path yourself) and transfer the entire Backup folder with all our backups from drive C to this same iTunes folder.
3. Press Start and in search line looking for cmd. In the results, right-click and run CMD (command prompt) with administrator rights.
4. The most difficult and the simplest at the same time remain. Enter the correct command to create a symbolic link:
Explanation:
/D- tell the team that symbolic link will lead to the directory
New way- A new path, in this case on the D drive where iTunes will save backups.
An example of the command execution is shown in the screenshot:
That's all - testing. Trying to save a backup. A copy is saved to disk D, which is what we wanted to do.
Instructions for Windows XP
This add-on is suitable for both Windows XP and others. Windows systems. As you know, the mklink command is not available in Windows XP, so you can use the junction utility. Download it from this link.
The meaning and use of it is completely similar to using the command .
1. Download this program. Unzip. Upload it to some folder on the disk. Let's say C:\Junction
2. Follow steps 1,2,3 of the instructions for Windows 7 and Vista.
3. On the command line, execute the command:
c:\Junction\junction.exe SymbolicReferenceName NewPath
For an explanation of this command, see paragraph 4 of the Instructions for Windows 7 and Vista above.
