Sooner or later, iPhone users face the question of where the backups are stored. And it will be better if you find out about this in advance than when, after reinstalling the OS, all contacts, photos and notes disappear from you. The information on the iPhone can even cost more than the device itself. Therefore, it is worth taking seriously the topic under discussion.
IPhone sync and backups
In order to protect yourself from data loss, you need to back up your iPhone before syncing.
It includes:
- address book (all contacts) and call history;
- calendars, reminders, notes, messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS);
- photos taken with this device (downloaded from other media are not included here);
- data from various programs (this includes passing games, documents,
- Movies in third-party programs (unconverted for iPhone);
- data Safari browser.
A backup copy is created in order to save data in the event of:
- phone breakage;
- accidental deletion of data;
- software failure;
- failure of cloud services.
Choosing a copy storage location
There are two possible options save iPhone backup. You can store it:
- using iTunes (using a computer);
- via iCloud (in the cloud, on Apple servers).
You have to choose one thing. A copy can be stored in one of these locations, there is no way to duplicate them.
This process will be different in new and old iTunes.
In old iTunes, you need to do the following steps:
- connect the device to the computer;
- find it in the column on the left, where the selection of sections is located;
- in the device window that opens, go down to the "Backup" item;
- decide on the choice of the copying path (iCloud, or classic copy on a computer);
- wait for the copying process to complete.
In iTunes 11, this process is automated, but if you suddenly turn off this function, then you need to make some manipulations.
V new iTunes(11 version) you need:
- connect the device to the computer;
- find a device based on its name;
- start Backup by clicking on Create a copy now.
Where to store copies on your computer
The storage paths will depend on your computer's operating system.
For Windows XP, it looks like this:
Documents & Settings \ Username \ Application Data \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \.
For Vista or Windows 7:
Users \ Username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \.
For Mac OS: \ Users \ Username \ Libraries \ Application Support \ MobileSync \ Backup.
The item "Username" must be changed to a name that suits you. Owners of Mac OS computers may have problems finding the Libraries folder. It has become hidden since version 10.7 (Lion). To get into it, you need to own command line or:
- open Finder and at the top click the "Go" tab.
- when you press the Alt key, the "Libraries" folder will appear in the menu, you need to go to it.
- further actions correspond to the instructions above.
Other backup locations
In addition to the locations described above, copies can be found in iTunes and the cloud service. A significant drawback of these sites is their limited functionality. The backup copy can only be deleted, no other manipulations with it are possible. You need to find it in iTunes by opening the program itself and going into the settings. 
In the window that opens, go to the "Devices" tab 
The window shows all the backups available on the computer and the date of their creation. 
You can delete them. No other actions are available. You cannot copy or transfer them in this way.
Another storage location - cloud service Apple - iCloud. From the moment you enable the backup, this process will occur automatically every day. For this, three conditions must be met:
- internet connections;
- connection to power supply;
- screen lock.
The function of restoring data from a backup is available during the first start of the phone. He always asks about it, and can do it after entering the username and password.
How to restore an iphone backup
The synchronization process creates backup copy on iPhone. Subsequently, it can be applied to restore the content. Data can be easily transferred to different devices... In encrypted backups (in iOS 4), passwords are transferred along with the copy to new hardware.
Whatever experiments you do with your iPhone, remember that before any intervention in it, you need to make a backup. This function will help to save all the necessary information in case of changing the phone, or making a mistake while taking steps to improve it.
Despite the fact that Apple encourages iPhone owners to 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 the dependence on the reliability of PC components. Fatal OS error or malfunction hard disk may result in irreversible data loss. You can protect yourself from unpleasant surprises if you know where the iPhone backup is stored on your computer.
and backups
Aityuns 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 storage format for backups that will be created is the same for all compatible OS. Thanks to this, they can be transferred from Mac to computer under Windows control and back without editing. The choice of storage location is done by each user the first time they connect to iTunes. Then sync mobile device with a PC or the cloud you can 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, ready-made backups are stored in the "Libraries" area protected from direct user access. You can quickly find them directly from iTunes preferences.
V top panel status, click on the name of the program. In the drop-down menu, select the item marked in the screenshot.
In the iTunes settings, go to the "Devices" tab. After selecting the backup of interest, we call the context menu. The item shown in the following photo allows you to open the protected area or delete an unnecessary copy.
The folder in which the backup is stored is designated alphanumeric. The content is encrypted and cannot be viewed. 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 means using the installation package of the program. On Windows 10, you can use the Microsoft Store for this purpose. The location of the copy files depends on the selected installation option.
Classic setup
The installation package is suitable for use on any Windows versions... Backups created in iTunes installed in this way will be saved to a directory that is hidden by default. It can be made visible in the OS settings, but we use a different access option.
We call the "Run" menu with the keyboard shortcut Win + R. Enter "%%" into the text box. Thus, we can find and view the backup files directly, without having to navigate through the menu items.
An Explorer window will open, in which we need to find the "" directory marked in the screenshot.
Sequentially open the folders nested in it, following the path marked with a frame. The iPhone backup we need will be stored in the "" directory. The folder with it is indicated by an arrow in the screenshot.
Windows 10
When using iTunes installed from the application 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.
In the Explorer window, this time you need to look for the "Apple" directory.
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 the 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, the option may be useful. When you select files in the list, it automatically becomes active button marked with the number "three". Thus, based on the information about the data contained in the backup, you can make a decision and delete files that are irrelevant for storage.
Finally
Following these tips, you can find a local iTunes backup on a computer with any compatible operating system.
Video instruction
In the video below, you can learn more about how to perform the described steps.
Today I will tell you - how to backup iPhone if you use iPad tablet or your iPod, you can also follow these instructions for creating a backup.
Backing up (aka backup) periodically needs to be done, especially if your device contains valuable information for you that cannot be lost. For example, voice recorder recordings, notes, and more.
I will teach you how to create a backup copy of an iPhone and save it to your computer using the program, if you have not yet installed this program, then keep - "".
Back up iPhone
First, we launch the iTunes program and use a cable to connect our iPhone to the computer. ITunes can use not only a computer, but also the iCloud cloud service as a storage for a backup.
But today we will not climb into the "clouds", so we will choose as a carrier - This computer(located: iPhone - Overview tab - Backups section). Basically, this is the default setting.
Now we start creating a backup copy of the iPhone, there are several ways to start the backup. Method one: Context menu File - Devices - Create a backup.
The second and third method: In the left pane of iTunes, in the "Devices" section, right-click on the iPhone and select - Create a backup... If you are not yet, then you can select the iPhone to go to the Overview tab and in the Backups section, press the button - " Create a copy now».
You can watch the process of creating a backup copy of our iPhone at the top of the iTunes program. The program goes through the backup process step by step.
What's in an iPhone backup
I don't know if it's good or bad, but the program created iTunes backup the copy does not contain all the information available in the phone. If you have hundreds of applications installed, then this is even good, because if the iPhone backup contained all the information in itself, then the process of creating a backup would take longer, moreover, the backup itself would take up a lot of disk space on the computer, especially if you back up frequently. The backup contains:
- All content of the Notes app
- Contacts
- From Photos app to Camera Roll only
- Events flagged in the Calendar app
- Previous bookmarks in the Safari app
- Messages and call histories
- Voice recorder recordings
- All phone settings, profiles and network settings
- In-app purchases
A regular iPhone backup does not include:
- games and applications
- Music and video files
- Ringtones
How to delete iPhone backup
In order to find out what backups are already available on our computer, you can look into the settings of the iTunes program: Edit - Settings (or in Windows: "Ctrl" + ","). We select the tab - Devices, and we see all the previously created backups.
All of these created backups are stored in the computer's memory, so if your operating system reports about insufficient space on the C drive, and you cannot understand what is clogging up the computer's memory, then perhaps these are backups of your iPhones and iPads. To delete an unnecessary backup, select it and use the button - Delete backup.
If your computer has more than one installed, then periodic cleaning of backups must be performed under each operating system account.
By the way, there is one more convenience for the owners of several iPhones or iPads. In order not to get confused in the backups and not make mistakes, before deleting, hover the mouse cursor over the backup, and you will see the device from which the backup was made.
Where to find iPhone backup on computer
It happens that iTunes seems to have deleted all iPhone backups and iPod touch, but memory hard the disk is not freed, then you can find the backup files and delete them manually. Below are the paths for different operating systems where the backup files are located:
- Windows XP- \ Documents and Settings \ Account Name \ Application Data \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \
- Windows 7, 8 and Vista – \Accounts\ Account Name \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \
- Mac OS- User folder \ Libraries \ Application Support \ MobileSync \ Backup \
Now you know where your iPhone and iPad are backed up. You can follow the path indicated above and look at it, well, or copy it.
Articles and Life Hacks
Many users of iOS devices are interested in the very concept of backup. Well, since they do not quite understand what it is, the question of whether how to view iPhone backup and find out for them also remains open.
Of course, every owner of a smartphone from Apple will be not only interested, but also useful to study this process from the inside, as it were.
It should be noted that the main purpose of backup is the ability to later restore personal data and even existing settings on the iPhone.
In addition, when buying a new device, this is an excellent way to get all the data you need - in particular, passwords for Wi-Fi and other accounts.
How to work with iPhone backup: create, update, view lists
To begin with, it is in the mobile device backup that Safari browser bookmarks and auto-complete information, settings and data from third-party applications are stored, Bluetooth devices, various user settings options, account passwords, notes, SMS messages, images, videos up to 2 gigabytes and much more.
The backup does not contain photos, videos, or audio files synced when iTunes help... The list of what is stored is easy to find on the official support site.
When a user connects his iPhone to the iTunes app and starts the sync process, the very first operation is backup. If the backup does not yet exist, a new copy is created at automatic mode, or the corresponding backup is updated.
In fact, backup is the 1st stage of synchronization. All subsequent events in this process are not displayed in any way.
It is useful to know that the context menu contains an item for restoring information from a backup copy.
This copying process can take a long time. To speed it up, we recommend that you delete all videos and photos first. But it does not affect the copying speed.
So how do you view your iPhone backup? To view a list of the most recently created copies, you need to go to the iTunes settings through the panel called "Devices". In the event that there are many such devices, the user will see several isolated lists.
On Mac computer You can find the backup file in the Library ⟶ Application Support ⟶ Mobile Sync ⟶ Backup folder.
The basics of viewing iPhone backups on other computers and other helpful tips
As already mentioned, you can view copies on Mac by finding backup file.
If the owner of the device is using Windows XP, they can go to Documents and Settings (on drive C) ⟶ [username] ⟶ Application Data ⟶ Apple Computer ⟶ MobileSync ⟶ Backup.
To speed up access to App Data on an XP system, open the Start ⟶ Run command. They register% appdate% and click "OK". The same is recommended for Windows 7 and Vista.
Be aware that any backup can be encrypted with a password in the Browse pane. When switching to a new mobile device, all passwords will be saved.
If you've accidentally deleted some information from your iOS device and are hoping to restore it, then an iTunes backup can be a great help.
ITunes backups happen automatically every time you connect your iPad or iPhone to iTunes (unless you have enabled the backup option iCloud copy), or manually when you right-click a device in iTunes and choose "Back Up". They are saved 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 on Windows?
ITunes backups are stored in% APPDATA% \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync on Windows.
On Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista, this will be the path, for example \ Users \\ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup.
On Windows XP it will be similar to \ Documents and Settings \\ Application Data \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup.
ITunes version for Microsoft Store slightly different: it stores its backups in% HOMEPATH% \ Apple \ MobileSync. This will be the path, for example \ Users \\ Apple \ MobileSync \ Backup.
Where is the iTunes backup folder on macOS / OS X?
ITunes backups are stored in ~ / Library / Application Support / MobileSync on macOS.
This folder is usually located in the / Users // Library / Application Support / MobileSync / Backup folder.
How to Automatically Find 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 dropdown menu
- Select the "Backups" tab.
- If the window says "We always look for backups in the default folder", click the "Default folder" link. Easily!
Opening iTunes backup folder in Windows
Open the default backup location in File Explorer using the command “ Start Windows". Press ⊞ Win + R and the Run window will appear. Type% APPDATA% \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync and press ⏎ Enter.
For iTunes versions for Microsoft Store you can do this: Press ⊞ Win + R and the Run window will appear. Type% HOMEPATH% \ Apple \ MobileSync and press ⏎ Enter.
This is how it looks on Windows 10:
A folder named "Backup" will appear in the 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 shown in Finder using Spotlight. Pressing ⌘ Cmd + and enter ~ / 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.
