SoN1NjA
Level 1 (85 points)
iPhone

Q: Restore from backup

Hello everyone,

 

Let's say that I backup my iPhone to iTunes (iTunes 12.5.1.21) will this overwrite the full backups I have previously done?

Like let's say I did a full backup 2 months ago and do one now, will this create 2 full completely different backups or will this overwrite the files in the older one?

 

Thanks to all who took the time to read this, cheers!

 

- josh

Surface Book, Windows 10

Posted on Sep 13, 2016 2:01 PM

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SoN1NjA

Q: Restore from backup

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Sep 13, 2016 2:02 PM in response to SoN1NjA
    Level 7 (20,507 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 13, 2016 2:02 PM in response to SoN1NjA

    Let's approach this from another angle...

     

    If you want to make sure the older backup is preserved, go to iTunes > Preferences > Devices > right-click on a backup > select Archive. This way, you're assured that the new backup will not overwrite the older one. AFAIK, all backups in iTunes are "full" backups, but you should select Encrypted backups to preserve personal information.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 13, 2016 2:04 PM in response to SoN1NjA
    Level 10 (85,892 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 13, 2016 2:04 PM in response to SoN1NjA

    iTunes maintains a single rolling backup for each device, until such time as you restore the backup. When you do that the backup you restore is archived and a new rolling backup is created.

     

    Sadly the archive feature mentioned above only exists in iTunes for OS X.

     

    tt2

  • by SoN1NjA,

    SoN1NjA SoN1NjA Sep 13, 2016 2:08 PM in response to Rysz
    Level 1 (85 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 13, 2016 2:08 PM in response to Rysz

    Are you using a Mac with the latest version of iTunes? When I right click on [backup] it doesn't do anything

     

    - josh

  • by SoN1NjA,

    SoN1NjA SoN1NjA Sep 13, 2016 2:17 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (85 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 13, 2016 2:17 PM in response to turingtest2

    Changing the question then, what if I'm on iOS 10.0.1, and then I download the iOS 10 IPSW and install through iTunes (Update + Shift) would that remove everything on my iPhone? Since I'm "already on iOS 10"

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 13, 2016 3:44 PM in response to SoN1NjA
    Level 10 (85,892 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 13, 2016 3:44 PM in response to SoN1NjA

    I haven't done it personally, but my understanding is that if you are switching from the GM release candidate to the current version your data will stay in place. If you wanted to install an older ipsw file in the brief window while Apple were still keeping it signed you would need to nuke and pave. Either way updating your backup before you start is a good move.

     

    See Tip: Archive iPhone backup in Windows if you want to keep access to an older backup as well as making a new one.

     

    tt2