RichArtLove

Q: itunes requires  encrypted backup password I never made

iTunes is requiring me to provide a password to unlock the iphone encryption backup feature, but I've never created or ever used a backup password, and my Apple Itunes Store ID usename & password still works fine to log on to iTunes online (via PC) but does not work with the encryption lock down feature on the phone backup prompt. ***?

iPhone 5s, iOS 10, Win 7

Posted on Sep 26, 2016 10:13 AM

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Q: itunes requires  encrypted backup password I never made

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  • by javaliga,

    javaliga javaliga Sep 26, 2016 11:12 AM in response to RichArtLove
    Level 4 (3,611 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 26, 2016 11:12 AM in response to RichArtLove

    FWIW, I have read on these forums that people who swear they didn't set an iTunes backup password have found out that simply hitting "Enter" at the password prompt worked for them.  In any case, you do get an unlimited number of tries at guessing the iTunes encryption password.  Worth a try!

     

    As this article says:

    About encrypted backups in iTunes - Apple Support

    There is no way to recover your information or turn off Encrypt Backup if you lose or forget the password.

     

    The only workaround to "remove" the encryption (without knowing the password) is something like this:

     

    1. Backup to iCloud.

    2. Then erase the phone.

    3. Then backup to iTunes as an unencrypted backup. (In a sense, you are creating an empty iTunes backup - but now it is unencrypted.)

    4. Then restore from the iCloud backup.

    5. Finally, backup to iTunes again. (Now you have an unencrypted backup in iTunes.)

     

    Before (or after step 1 above) on your phone, go to:

     

    Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage (under ICLOUD) > [Your Phone] (under BACKUPS)

     

    and make sure the "Latest Backup" has a recent date/time and the "Backup Size" seems reasonable.  Do not follow the above procedure until you confirm this or you stand to lose everything.  Otherwise, the only way to turn off backup encryption on your device is to erase your device and set up as new. Erasing removes all data from your device.

  • by RichArtLove,

    RichArtLove RichArtLove Sep 26, 2016 11:49 AM in response to javaliga
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 26, 2016 11:49 AM in response to javaliga

    Thanks! What a long bizarre trip just to get back to zero (once again!).

     

    I've had so many problems with Apple procedures & policies that for years I've used blatant profanities for my Apple passwords (they're hard to forget), and switched back to PC computer systems. It seems clear that iTunes is an unreasonably inelegant (clunky) program that all iPhone users are forced to deal with.

     

    I'll give your fix suggestion a try. Cheers...

  • by RichArtLove,

    RichArtLove RichArtLove Sep 26, 2016 12:06 PM in response to javaliga
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 26, 2016 12:06 PM in response to javaliga

    PS Hitting enter is impossible  -

     

    The encryption box is checked (not by me) and demands a password to be undone to use iCloud backup, so this entire 'fix' workaround will still result in an encrypted  backup - that requires a password that I never created. Stuck...:-(

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Sep 30, 2016 10:59 AM in response to RichArtLove
    Level 10 (87,363 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 30, 2016 10:59 AM in response to RichArtLove

    You can create an iCloud backup on the device from Settings > iCloud > Backup.

     

    What isn't entirely clear is if the process of backing up to iCloud and restoring actually removes the encryption requirement when it comes to backing up to iTunes. I haven't personally tested. I suggest trying your Apple ID password and past versions of it in case you inadvertently entered it in response to a request for a password when backing up.

     

    tt2