The backup is stored on the iPhone and iPad, but the phone does not turn on or the screen crashed, you need to return it to the device or computer or extract all the necessary information from the 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 recover 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 an iPhone backup on a computer
The program is recommended that supports free viewing of the backup by file formats and titles, and then extract data from the phone if the phone does not turn on. Before restoring, you can preview these files and select the desired data.
There is one more function, before the 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 you don’t occupy 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 these steps and you can retrieve data from phone with 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 this way, but also by clicking "Output Settings", select the export formats. Then after clicking "Restore", the following window will appear, you can restore data to your computer and device.
How to extract a backup from iCloud
How to extract contacts and photos from iCloud backup, for example, below we will share how to extract photos from iCloud backup.
The program allows you to quickly and easily extract data from iPhone and iPad backups, in addition, if you need to transfer and import data from iPhone, iPad and iPod to your computer, iPhone Data Recovery is convenient for you.
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 if it is possible, accumulated over the years, it is not easy to do it.
How to transfer iTunes backups to another drive in Windows 7, 8, and 10
- Close iTunes.
- Copy or move the "C: \ Users \ username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \" folder to another drive (replace your username with your own). Just in case, copy the folder somewhere else.
In my Windows 10 virtual machine, it is located along the path: C: \ Users \ le7andr \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \
- Run the command line (command line handler) "сmd.exe" with administrator rights ("Start" -> "Find programs and files" -> "cmd" -> Right-click the context menu on the file "cmd.exe" and select "Run as administrator"). The name of the command line window must contain "Administrator: С: /Windows/System32/cmd.exe".
- Enter the command: MKLINK / D "from where" "where"
Example:
mklink / d "C: \ Users \ Alexander Varakin \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \" D: \ iTunes \ BackupReplace "Alexander Varakin" with your username. If the path contains spaces (here - Apple Computer), it must be enclosed in quotation marks (""). To avoid typing the path manually, drag the required folder into the command prompt window. Press Enter.
- Example of command execution.
- 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
- Close iTunes.
- Copy or move the "C: \ Users \ username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \" folder to another drive (replace your username with your own). Just in case, it's better to copy the folder somewhere else.
- Delete the "Backup" folder on the system drive (where the backups were moved from).
- Download Junction from the link, unzip, for example, to the root of the "C" drive.
- Run the command line "сmd.exe" with administrator rights ("Start" -> "Find programs and files" -> "cmd" -> Right-click the context menu on the file "cmd.exe" and select "Run as administrator "). The name of the command line window must contain "Administrator: С: /Windows/System32/cmd.exe".
- At the command prompt, enter the command: C: \ Path_to_Junction \ junction.exe "from" "where" -s,
- "From where" - the previous location of the "Backup" folder on the system disk;
- "Where" is the 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
- 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 the function of backing up using the built-in OS X Time Machine program or third-party and the issue of the safety of backups is not so urgent, but still useful to someone.
On Mac computers in OS X, the procedure is slightly simpler:
Backups transferred to another disk will be available in iTunes until the next reinstallation of the operating system, after which the symbolic links will need to be recreated.
As you can see, there is nothing difficult about finding an iTunes backup on your Windows or Mac computer. 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.
An iPhone or iPad doesn't need 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 a backup in iTunes? Or download the entire iCloud backup to your computer? Any of these and many other non-standard tasks related to iPhone backups can be solved with this guide.
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 to external media or 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 breaks down.
Finding a backup is easy, but different operating systems have it in different locations.
- On macOS: in the ~ // Libraries / Application Support / MobileSync / Backup / folder.
- Windows XP: \ Documents and Settings \ (username) \ Application Data \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \.
- For Windows 7/8/10: \ Users \ (username) \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \.
On computers running Windows 7/8/10, the iTunes backup folder is hidden. Initially, 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 newer versions of Microsoft OS, it is even easier to navigate to the folder with backups. It is enough to press “ Start"And enter the command" % appdata% / Apple Computer / MobileSync / Backup"(Without quotes). The query will open the folder with iTunes backups saved on your computer.
How to determine for which device which copy
It was possible to locate the iPhone and iPad backups, but now how do you figure out which folder should be copied? The folder with backups will greet you with a similar window if you have backed up several iOS devices in iTunes.
Fortunately, 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 such as WordPad and search for the query Product Name... Under the found line, it will be written to which of your mobile devices this copy belongs to.
How to properly transfer a backup to another drive
Finding and copying a folder from a backup from one disk to another is not enough for its correct transfer. In order for the backup to be detected 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 folder with backups from the drive from which the move was performed. Important! Be sure to make sure the entire folder has been copied to avoid accidental data loss.
Step 4. Run Command Prompt as administrator. To do this, go to the menu " Start", Enter the query" Command line", Right-click on the utility shortcut and click" Run as administrator».
Step 5. At the command prompt, enter the following command:
MKLINK / D “old path to backup folder” “new path”.
MKLINK / D “C: \ Users \ username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \” “D: \ Backup \ Backup”,
- C: \ is the drive letter where the backups were previously stored.
- D: \ is the letter of the drive to which you want to transfer the backups.
- Username is your username.
- \ Backup \ Backup - the folder where the backup was copied in step 2.
Let's give an even more illustrative example. If your username in Windows is "Vasily Petrov" and you are transferring backups from drive C to drive E, then you must 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 operation will result in a message about the successful creation of symbolic links.
Ready! You have migrated your 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 " To 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 copying to complete, otherwise you may lose important data.
Step 4. Run “ Terminal". The easiest way to do this is by searching. 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 your backups.
Ready! You can check the success of the operation by launching iTunes and looking at the availability of backups on the "Devices" tab.
Similarly, the activation of iTunes backups on a computer with a reinstalled system, or on a new computer is carried out. In order for iTunes to see the backups of your devices, after installing it on a 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 of an iOS device. The iTools utility, which is well known to many Apple owners, helps with the solution of this problem.
Step 1. Download the latest version of iTools from 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 need to connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
Step 3. Go to the " Tools».
Step 4. Select a tool iTunes Backup Manager.
Step 5. Double click on the backup from which you want to extract files.
Step 6. Select the information you want to download from the backup, click " Export»And specify the folder to save the files.
iTools allows you to extract a variety of information from iPhone and iPad backups, from contacts and text messages to documents from applications and photos. Most of the 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 listing of application names. 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, the data from which you need.
We recommend that you focus on the names, which, 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 is. In the backup, contacts and SMS are stored in the ".sqlitedb" format, which cannot be launched by any standard utilities. Therefore, you will need to use a special converter.
Step 1. Download the free program SQLite Browser.
Step 2. Install and run the program.
Step 3. Press Ctrl + O and select the contact book file in the format .sqlitedb.
Note: select "All files" as the file type.
Step 4. Go to the " SQL Execution"And paste the following command into the form:
ABPerson.prefix, ABPerson.suffix, ABPerson.first, ABPerson.middle, ABPerson.last, ABMultiValue.value, ABPerson.note, ABPerson.nickname, ABPerson.organization, ABPerson.department, ABPerson.jobtitle, ABPerson.birth from ABPerson. , ABMultiValue where ABMultiValue.record_id = ABPerson.ROWID
Step 5. Press 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 easily digestible for later use.
How to download an 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 the menu Recover from iCloud Backup File.
Step 3. Enter the login and password of your Apple ID account.
Step 4. Wait for the list of backups to appear.
Step 5. Select the required backup and click Download.
Step 6. Check the boxes of the backup data you need to download.
Step 7. Wait until the processing is completed and the list of data downloaded from iCloud appears in the program window. Select the required files and click Recover.
Step 8. In the window that opens, select 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 the backup to restore. Thanks to this solution, your iPhone or iPad will have the same iCloud backup that you need. Next, a copy of the gadget should be made in iTunes and the method described earlier to access it. Of course, not the most convenient way to use, but it works nonetheless.
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Mobile devices such as the iPhone are in great demand among the population. There are various applications and programs for working with gadgets. For example, iTunes is a very popular software. The application allows you to synchronize a mobile device with a computer, as well as work with information on a tablet / phone. For example, backing up user data is becoming a common feature. You can find the corresponding document at any time and restore it to iPhone / iPad. Just not everyone knows where iTunes stores the backup. Where to look for it in this or that case?
For Windows
Much depends on which operating system you are talking about. The fact is that the majority of users work with Windows. Accordingly, iTunes stores backups in designated locations. Where exactly?
The operating system version also plays an important role. For example, you can work with:
- Windows XP;
- Vista;
- Windows 7/8 / 8.1 / 10.
In all of these versions, iTunes stores backup data in different areas. So what folders are they stored in? Where does the user need to enter in this or that case?
For Windows XP, the following is relevant: Documents and Settings / user Computer / MobileSync. 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: Docoments and Settings / username / AppData / Roaming / Apple Computer / MobileSync. As in the previous case, it is necessary to examine the "BackUp" folder.
Newer versions of Windows are easier to work with. It is enough to go to the hard disk partition 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 the required document is not present in Windows. Then users wonder where the iTunes backup is. After all, the application works, it saves some information somewhere.
In fact, BackUp is simply hidden from the user's eyes. In order to remedy the situation, it is required:
- Select "Folder Options" - "View".
- Check the box next to "Show files and folders hidden from the user".
- Click "OK".
MacOS
Some users work with macOS. This is far from the most common case, but it still occurs. Where does iTunes back up information in such a case?
Finding the file you want is easy. It is enough to go to the following address: Users / user / Library / Application Support. This is where the MobileSync folder will be.
Now each user will be able to find one or another copy made by iTunes for iPhone or iPad. If necessary, you can delete it or copy it to removable media.
Determine the iPhone version
It should be noted that all backups made with the help of "iTunes" are created for specific device models. This means the file will not be recognized on newer / older phones.
It's clear where iTunes stores the backup. And how to determine for which smartphone / tablet it was made?
The instructions for determining the version of the iPhone that are compatible with the data look like this:
- Find the folder that contains all copies from iTunes.
- Open the required package of documents. The folder will definitely contain the Info.Plist file.
- Run the document using any text editor. For example, Notepad is perfect.
- Find a line:
Product Name . - 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, as well as how you can understand on which version of the iPhone this or that data was created.
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 all data needs to be transferred to another drive. An iOS device backup is just one of the space eaters that we would like to transfer. Yes, not everyone uses iCloud yet. :)
In this 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.
Instruction 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 move the backup to another drive.
1. We delete unnecessary backups. iTunes -> Settings -> Devices
2. Make sure the backups have been deleted. For Mac OS, the path to backups is:
/ Users / [username] / Libraries / Application Support / MobileSync / Backup /
Important: If you do not see this path through Finder, then install a free program: the MuCommander file manager (or any other equivalent).
Before deletion:
After deletion:
As you can see, I still have one extra folder - this is how there are very ancient and unnecessary backups that can also be deleted. There should be one folder per backup.
3. Create a folder on the HDD - call it Backup.
4. We transfer the folder (or folders, if there are several copies) with the backup to Backup on another disk.
4.1. We 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 your backups. Note the backslash “\” before HD. I just escaped the space character in the path so easily.
/ Volumes / SSD / Users / dmitry / Library / Application \ Support / MobileSync - the path where your symbolic link will be located, 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. Something like a shortcut (using Windows terminology) to a folder on another drive will appear in the Mobile Sync folder on the old drive. We look at the properties.
Launch iTunes. We start the backup. That's it - the backup copy is saved to another disk, which is what we actually needed.
Instructions for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Everything is not much more complicated here than for Mac OS. For these two systems, symbolic links can be created by means of the system itself. If you have Vista or Seven, I recommend creating links exactly as I describe.
In order not to repeat with screenshots, I will briefly describe the initial steps (for more details, read points 1 and 2 of the instructions for Mac OS just above).
1. Find out which backups we have extra and delete them in the iTunes settings and in the 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 accessible - I recommend using the file manager (Total Commander or Far Manager). Be sure to enable the display of hidden and system files in the file manager settings.
2. Let's say we want to transfer the iPad backup to disk D. Create an iTunes folder on disk D (choose the name and path yourself) and transfer the entire Backup folder with all our backups from disk C to this same iTunes folder.
3. Click Start and look for CMD in the search bar. In the results, right-click and run CMD (command line) with administrator rights.
4. The most difficult and simplest remains at the same time. Drive in the correct command to create a symbolic link:
Explanation:
/ D- we indicate to the command that the symbolic link will lead to the directory
New way- A new path, in this case on drive D where iTunes will save backups.
See the screenshot for an example of command execution:
That's all - we are testing. Trying to save a backup. The copy is saved to the D drive, which is exactly what was required.
Instructions for Windows XP
This add-on is suitable for both Windows XP and other Windows systems. As you know, there is no mklink command in Windows XP, so you can use the junction utility. Download it from this link.
Its meaning and use is completely analogous to using the command .
1. Download this program. Unzip it. We fill it in some folder on the disk. Let's say C: \ Junction
2. We carry out points 1,2,3 of the instructions for Windows 7 and Vista.
3. In the command line, execute the command:
c: \ Junction \ junction.exe SymbolicLinkName NewPath
For the explanation of this command, see paragraph 4 of the Instructions for Windows 7 and Vista above.
