Where is the ipad backup saved on the computer. Where iTunes Stores Backups

ITunes is a must-have companion for any iOS device owner. The utility helps not only to carry out the exchange of content between the PC and mobile device, but also gives the opportunity to update or restore the "apple" gadget, buy and download new applications and media files, create a ringtone, etc. However, perhaps the most important program option is performing a backup, because today we store so much important and valuable information in our mobile assistants that it will be extremely pity to lose it if it is lost / stolen or simply when the device breaks down.

This article will show you how to create a copy of your data in iTunes, as well as where iTunes stores backups.

Making a backup in iTunes is a very simple procedure and even a novice user can handle it. To perform a backup, follow these instructions:

Ready! It remains only to wait while the program will save the created duplicate on the PC. You can make sure that the backup in iTunes was successful by opening the "Edit" section of the program, then "Settings" and going to the "Devices" tab - the created copy and the number of its creation will be displayed here.

As you can imagine, the backup should be repeated regularly. At the same time, please note that only the last actual duplicate will be stored on the computer - when creating a new backup, the old data is deleted automatically.

Where are the files from an iTunes backup stored?

So, we figured out how to make a backup copy, but you probably have a logical question - where exactly does the program save the backed up information and whether it can be viewed. Well, let's figure it out.

The directory into which the utility determines the copied data instance depends on which PC you are working with.

If you own a Mac, you can access your storage location as follows:

In the event that you use a Windows computer to find the storage location for the backed up information:

How to view files and restore from iTunes backup?

Now let's talk about what a backup copy saved in aytyuns looks like. It is a folder whose name contains 40 characters. There are a bunch of other folders hiding in this folder. None of the folders can be renamed, and on the official Apple support page it is highly discouraged to move the folder with the backup information anywhere. After all, something can be damaged inadvertently - accidentally delete some important file, and if the duplicate is damaged, restoring the data, you will most likely run into an error.

However, most likely, at the sight of this heap of folders, you will have a question not how to transfer them somewhere, but how to restore any information from a copy that looks so strange. Well, that is, everything is clear with iCloud - if you performed a backup in the cloud, you simply open the iCloud.com website, log in using your Apple ID and see all the backed up data, neatly arranged in understandable sections - "Contacts", "Photos" etc.

With iTunes, everything is a little different - you cannot see the data here, but, in fact, this should not worry the user too much. After all, this will not prevent data from being restored from iTunes to a new iOS device. When transferring content from a user, at the initial setup of a new gadget, all you need to do is select the "Restore via iTunes" item and connect the device to a PC - all the work will be done automatically.

But what if you need to pull out the backed-up content in part in order to transfer it later, for example, to an Android device. This is where you have to sweat. There are mechanisms for each type of information. For example, you can see how to copy contacts.

By the way, with complete list information stored by duplicate data in iTunes can be found in this article.

What if iTunes backups refuse to be created?

Unfortunately, sometimes when performing a backup, you can come across an error: "iTunes could not create a backup copy." There can be many reasons for it - from the trivial wear and tear of the synchronization cable to conflicts with virus software.

First of all, if the backup procedure fails, it is recommended to take the following measures to eliminate the error:

If none of the recommendations help and the backup still fails, read this article or contact Apple Support.

Let's summarize

Well, now you know how to create a duplicate data in iTunes, and you also know where the program stores the folders with the copies made. Unfortunately, it is impossible to view the information in them directly, but this is not important for restoring content. If you made a backup via aytyuns, you can always extract information from the copy using special programs and get it in the end in the proper form.

I made a backup copy of my iphone on one computer, and I need to transfer it to another. What to do? how to transfer on Windows?

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 software (unconverted for iPhone);
Safari browser data.

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.
In new iTunes (version 11) 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

Storage paths will depend on operating system your computer.

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. Mac OS owners may have problems finding the Libraries folder. It has become hidden since version 10.7 (Lion). To get into it, you need to own the command line or:

open Finder and click the "Go" tab at the top.

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. 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 is Apple's iCloud cloud service. 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 sync process creates a backup on your 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 conduct 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.

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 for the second and third time, but over the years it is possible to restore the accumulated information, if it is possible, then it is not easy to do it.

How to Transfer iTunes Backups to Another Drive in Windows 7, 8 & 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 in Parallels Desktop, it is located along the path: C: \ Users \ le7andr \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \
Run command line (handler command line) "Сmd.exe" with administrator rights ("Start" -> "Find programs and files" -> "cmd" ->
Enter the command: MKLINK / D "from" "where"
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 typing the path manually, drag the required folder into the command prompt window. Press Enter.
Example of command execution.

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" - the previous location of the "Backup" folder on the system drive;
- "where" - new way 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 iBackup and ChronoSync, the issue of the safety of backups is not so urgent, but it will still be 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 Windows computer or Mac. It is not difficult to move "heavy" backups to another disk (partition or external drive) and associate them with iTunes using symbolic links.

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

Instructions

A backup copy allows you not to lose important information accumulated over the years on your phone. After all, sometimes it's not so much a pity to lose the phone itself, as all the contacts or photos stored in its memory. But your grief can be significantly reduced by saving everything at regular intervals and knowing where the backup files are located. You can copy everything: entries in the planner, contacts on the phone, photos and videos, and even data on plastic cards... A backup copy is an archive containing almost all information, including not only regular files, but also phone settings that were convenient for you. A copy is used in case of replacement of the phone, its theft or loss, as well as after flashing your device to recover data. This is why it is so important to create backups every time you connect your iPhone to iTunes. Backing up in iCloude is performed automatically when the device is connected to a power source, to Wi-Fi networks or blocking.

Most often, backups are done through iTunes. The copy can be either open or password protected. It is stored in system folders on your computer's hard drive. If the restored iPhone is marked as new in the settings, synchronization will automatically start and a new backup will be created. Depending on the type of operating system, the path to the required archive will be different. The windows operating system is known for its quite big amount species. For example, for the XP version, in order to find the archive, you need to go to drive C. Next, go to the following path: Documents and Settings \ username \ Application Data \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup. For Vista, the beginning of the path is similar, but after going to the user folder, you need to go along the path AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup. Operating Windows systems 7, 8, 10 path is completely identical to Windows Vista.

The backup is a regular folder, the name of which consists of 40 characters, including numbers and english letters... This folder contains a fairly impressive number of files that do not have any extension. Each file has a name that also consists of 40 characters. These backup files can only be opened in iTunes. There are simply no other ways.

If you have several devices with a branded "Apple", and for each device you make a backup in a timely manner, then sooner or later the question may arise, which folder on the computer for which device. Finding the answer is pretty easy if you know the basics of programming. To understand, you need to find the Info.plist file in the list and open it in any text editor. The option of opening the file in a regular notepad is also suitable. You will be presented with a large list with various tags. You will need to find a key tag that points to the name of the product. It will contain information about the device for which this backup was created. For example, key Product name / key. Below the line, you will see the name of the device enclosed in the string functional tag. For example, for the fifth model, you will see a string like this: string iPhone 5s / string. In a text editor, the tags themselves will be enclosed in parentheses. In the lines below you can see the iOC version, serial number of the device and its IMEI. In addition, in the Info.plist file, you can see information about the date this backup was created, an identification number, a phone number, and more.

ITune creates a backup on your iPhone during the sync process. In the future, you can use this copy to restore the content that was on the device at the time of synchronization. The copied data can be transferred from one device to another. IOS 4 and later use encrypted backups. In this case, passwords and keys are also transferred to new equipment. If the password is forgotten by the user, then it should be completely restored software and when iTune asks you to select a copy type, you must select "Set up as new device". A password-protected iPhone will ask you to enter a password when connected to iTune. After the user enters the password, the device will be recognized as authorized and no additional password will be required before synchronization.

When you find the folder with the backup, it is advisable to move it to another location. After all, the system disk is not the best place for storing such important information. Firstly, this folder can weigh tens of gigabytes and storing it on the C drive will significantly reduce the performance of your computer. If suddenly your operating system crashes, then the backup files will disappear along with it. In order not to degrade the quality of work on the computer and reduce the possible loss of files to a minimum, it is worth moving the folder with the copy or to another HDD, or to another section of the computer. But it is impossible to transfer it by the classic way ctrl + c and ctrl + v. Transfer is only possible through symbolic links. They are formed in the file system in the form of a special file with only a text line, which is interpreted as the path to the requested file.

I think everyone had such a situation when you bought yourself an iPhone, and then decided to change it to another or flash it, then you need to make a backup copy, which does not always come out to do.

In this article, we will share: Where iTunes stores iPhone / iPad backups on Windows and Mac computer.

Where iTunes Stores iPhone and iPad Backups on Windows and Mac Computer

The main method for backing up iPhone and iPad is iTunes. With its help, you can create a regular or password-encrypted copy of the data, which is located:

1. Windows

Windows XP: C: \ Documents and Settings \ username \ Application Data \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \

Windows Vista: C: \ Documents and Settings \ username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \

Windows 7, 8, 10: C: \ Users \ username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \

Note: if the folder is not displayed, then go to "Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View" and enable the display of hidden files and folders and check the "Show hidden files, folders and disks ".

2. Mac OS X: \ Users \ username \ Library \ Application Support \ MobileSync \

A backup copy is a folder with a name of 40 characters (letters and numbers), which contains a large number of files without a filename extension. The file names are also 40 characters long. Other than iTunes, the backup files cannot be recognized.

How to determine which iPhone / iPad this iTunes backup was created for

You can find information for which device the backup was created using the file " Info.plist", Which is located in each copy folder.

And so, to find for which device the backup was created:

1. Open the file "Info.plist" in any text editor, Notepad, for example.

2. In the document search (Ctrl + F) find the line "Product Name".

3. Information about the device model is located between the tags "": "iPhone 5s". This means that in the folder with open file there is a backup iPhone copy 5s. Also, the device can be identified by the serial number or IMEI. The data is located under the corresponding lines (Serial Number and IMEI).

Info.plist also contains information about the date of the backup, device ID (iPhone 5s is iPhone6,1), phone number (for iPhone), iOS version, serial number, IMEI and much more.

1. The size of the backup file can take up more than 10 GB. It can affect both memory hard disk and its performance. And if you still have backups of other devices, then storing them on the system drive can be unsafe.

2 In the event of damage to a Windows file or a software failure in the operating system, which can lead to data loss when the computer starts to reboot and you need to reinstall Windows.

And so in order to protect your system from crashing and occupying a large amount of memory, you need to transfer the backup to another hard drive.

So how do you do it right?

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

1. You need to close iTunes

2. Copy or move the folder "C: \ Users \ username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \" to another drive (replace username with your own). Just in case, copy the folder somewhere else.

4. Run the command line (command line handler) "сmd.exe" with administrator rights ("Start" -> "Find programs and files" -> "cmd" ->

5. Enter the command: MKLINK / D "from where" "where"

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

6. An example of command execution.

How to Transfer iTunes Backups to Another Drive in Windows XP

1. You need to close iTunes

2. Copy or move the folder "C: \ Users \ username \ AppData \ Roaming \ Apple Computer \ MobileSync \ Backup \" to another drive (replace username with your own). Just in case, it's better to copy the folder somewhere else.

3. Delete the "Backup" folder on the system drive (where the backups were moved from).

5. 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 from administrator name "). The name of the command line window must contain "Administrator: С: /Windows/System32/cmd.exe".

6. Enter the command: C: \ Path_to_Junction \ junction.exe "from" "where" -s,

"From" - the previous location of the "Backup" folder on the system drive;

"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

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

1. Quit iTunes (right-click the iTunes icon in the Dock (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201730) and select “Quit”).

2. In Finder, press the key combination "Shift + Cmd + G" and in the window that appears in the field "Go to folder" enter the text: "/ Library / Application Support / MobileSync /" and click on the "Go" button (or press "enter ").

3. Copy or move the "Backup" folder to another drive.

4. Launch Terminal (you can find it using Spotlight or in "Programs -> Utilities").

5. Enter the command:

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

where "/ your_disk / Backup" replace with the path to the new folder with backups. You don't have to type the path manually, just drag the required folder into the Terminal window.

6. After executing the command, an Alias (Shortcut) will appear in the "MobileSync" folder leading to the backup on another disk.

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

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.