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Q: Change backup location?

My C-drive is full(has 3gb free) and itunes fails to backup my ipad (32gb) when trying to install the new iOS. OTA updates keeps on failing aswell.

 

How do you change the default backup location of your ipad?

iPad, iOS 5.1.1, Trying to get to iOS 6

Posted on Apr 17, 2013 10:09 AM

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Q: Change backup location?

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  • by philipfromnapa,

    philipfromnapa philipfromnapa Mar 10, 2016 1:36 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 1:36 PM in response to turingtest2

    I may be in over my head.  Apple support gave me bad info.  I copied over the back up folder to my d drive.  I then deleted it from my c drive.   This was the cmd command that wouldnt work.  It said the folder already existed

     

    mkLink /J "%AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\MobileSync\Backup"

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Mar 10, 2016 1:42 PM in response to philipfromnapa
    Level 10 (87,363 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 10, 2016 1:42 PM in response to philipfromnapa

    For this command to work the following must apply:

    • The backup folder must exist at D:\MobileSync\Backup
    • The folder %AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync must exist and not contain a folder or link called Backup
    • The D: drive must be in NTFS format

     

    %AppData% will be replaced by the path to the roaming folder in your user profile, typically C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming.

     

    tt2

  • by philipfromnapa,

    philipfromnapa philipfromnapa Mar 10, 2016 1:45 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 1:45 PM in response to turingtest2

    ok.  that "worked".   It says it created a junction.   should I try backing up a device?

  • by philipfromnapa,

    philipfromnapa philipfromnapa Mar 10, 2016 1:53 PM in response to philipfromnapa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 1:53 PM in response to philipfromnapa

    I tried to back up but it said it couldnt back up because the backup file was corrupt and to delete it.   In itunes, it says I dont have any back ups

  • by philipfromnapa,

    philipfromnapa philipfromnapa Mar 10, 2016 2:49 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 2:49 PM in response to turingtest2

    still up?  I know you are in the UK. 

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Mar 10, 2016 3:09 PM in response to philipfromnapa
    Level 10 (87,363 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 10, 2016 3:09 PM in response to philipfromnapa

    Hi, just in from work.

     

    In the backup folder on D: you should have folders with filenames similar to this:

    02eea44dbf576a7151bb23cc3d04f258c7fa8af4

    optionally followed by a timestamp for backups that have previously been used for a restore.

     

    Do you see this or have the folders ended up at a different level?

    If you can see the folders make sure that your used account and system have full access to the folders and files therein. See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows. Close iTunes and restart. Anything listed under Edit > Preferences > Devices?

     

    tt2

  • by philipfromnapa,

    philipfromnapa philipfromnapa Mar 10, 2016 4:13 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 4:13 PM in response to turingtest2

    Hi.

    Not sure if my last note went through.   I am at a standstill.  I think I have to reinstall itunes

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Mar 10, 2016 4:26 PM in response to philipfromnapa
    Level 10 (87,363 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 10, 2016 4:26 PM in response to philipfromnapa

    See Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates if you want to try reinstalling, but if iTunes runs I don't think that is necessary. Do you see any folders with the long filenames in the backup folder? If you're not reliant on restoring an existing backup then you could empty the folder and see if iTunes will make a brand new backup for you.

     

    tt2

  • by philipfromnapa,

    philipfromnapa philipfromnapa Mar 10, 2016 4:56 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2016 4:56 PM in response to turingtest2

    Hi,

    I'm dead.   I used the cmd command, but then deleted all my backups because I got the error message.  Now, even after reinstalling itunes, I cant manually back up to the computer or even the icloud.   There isnt any folder/files left.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Mar 10, 2016 5:17 PM in response to philipfromnapa
    Level 10 (87,363 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 10, 2016 5:17 PM in response to philipfromnapa

    So D:\MobileSync\Backup is currently empty?

    If you create a new dummy text file in there is it visible in %AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup?

    If so that proves the junction is set up correctly. You can delete the file after testing.

    Did you check permissions as suggested?

    Does iTunes currently list any backup under Edit > Preferences > Devices?

    Reboot the computer and device, connect to iTunes, attempt a manual backup.

    Assuming there is an error what exactly does it say?

     

    tt2

  • by philipfromnapa,

    philipfromnapa philipfromnapa Mar 11, 2016 7:40 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 7:40 AM in response to turingtest2

    Hi,

    I finally got things to work by copying the backup folder from another computer and copying into the mobile sync folder on the original computer.   Still backing up to c drive.   Not sure I'm capable of making that happen so I just signed up for another 50gb on i cloud. 

  • by dvchester,

    dvchester dvchester Mar 12, 2016 9:20 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mar 12, 2016 9:20 AM in response to turingtest2

    Turingtest2 - i have Windows 7.  Do i need junction tool software to change backup path?  I created the link last year, i have the new directory created but all along, my backup was saving to the default c: location.  When i attempt to link new path i get "cannot create a file when that file already exists".

     

    I think i need to remove the link, then recreate it.  I can't backup our devices any longer to my c: as it is too small so i need backups to my external.  Thanks!

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Mar 12, 2016 1:57 PM in response to dvchester
    Level 10 (87,363 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 12, 2016 1:57 PM in response to dvchester

    No, you don't need Junction. Windows 7 has the MkLink command. See Relocate iOS backups for details

     

     

    For the command to work the following must apply:

    • The backup folder that is to be linked to must exist
    • The folder %AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync must exist and not contain a folder, file or link called Backup
    • The source and target drives must be in NTFS format

     

    %AppData% will be replaced by the path to the roaming folder in your user profile, typically C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming.

     

     

    tt2

  • by JPB928,

    JPB928 JPB928 Mar 21, 2016 6:44 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 21, 2016 6:44 AM in response to turingtest2

    Hi ,

    I am still having the same problem. iTunes writes to my junction folder, but does not see it to read from it. If i back a device up it overwrites the older version OK, but still shows this device has never been backed up to this computer and under the devices tab in preferences nothing is listed. If i click on the junction folder it takes me straight to the backup files. i have tried new junctions, removed and reinstalled iTunes, waited on hold with apple numerous times for hrs only to be hangup on.Please help. Cheers

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Mar 21, 2016 6:52 AM in response to JPB928
    Level 10 (87,363 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 21, 2016 6:52 AM in response to JPB928

    Hi,

     

    Still working properly for me last time I looked. I suppose it is just possible there could be some weird permissions issue. See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows and apply the same advice to the backup folder.

     

    tt2

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