iPhone Backup Data - Where is it?

Question

Level 1

31 points

iPhone Backup Data - Where is it?

I noticed the newest version of iTunes backs up almost all if not all iPhone extraneous data ( stocks, YouTube Bookmarks, Google Map Bookmarks, etc. etc. ) Does anybody know where this data is stored? It would really be nice to archive this file, wherever it is, for safekeeping, as most of this stuff doesn't change, at least for me. This data gets lost if you get an error message sometimes when trying to restore, so that is why I would like to backup this backup file

G5, Mac OS X (10.4.10), Tower

Posted on Nov 13, 2007 6:39 PM

Reply

Answer 1

apratts

Level 1

5 points

Nov 13, 2007 7:04 PM in response to yvonnejim

The backup file is located at...

/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

Reply

Answer 2

yvonnejim Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 13, 2007 7:55 PM in response to apratts

Thanks for that. Any idea how or when this backup file is updated? Whenever you do a sync? Or only when iTunes asks if you would like to backup you data? Which seems to be only before you do a restore.

Reply

Answer 3

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Nov 13, 2007 7:56 PM in response to yvonnejim

It is created each time you sync

Reply

Answer 4

yvonnejim Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:01 PM in response to viali17

So I should be able to duplicate a copy of this file, tuck it away, and then pull it up whenever iTunes eats my data, replace the existing backup file, and I'm back in business again?

Reply

Answer 5

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:15 PM in response to yvonnejim

iTunes pulls it up automatically when you restore the phone, you do not need to tuck it away

Reply

Answer 6

yvonnejim Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:20 PM in response to viali17

I am talking about when I restore the phone and get the dreaded error message, which happens EVERY time I restore. It usually takes 15 to 20 restore attempts to get it to work. A better way I have found is to delete my iTunes app. and install a new iTunes app, and then it usually works the first time. In all these instances the backup file does not work. All my data is lost.

Reply

Answer 7

yvonnejim Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:22 PM in response to yvonnejim

This also brings up one of my original questions, why does iTunes ask you if you want to backup your data ... it should have been done automatically.

Reply

Answer 8

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:23 PM in response to yvonnejim

I do not know if it is possible or how you can pull the back up data in the new iTunes, maybe someone else....

Reply

Answer 9

yvonnejim Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:31 PM in response to viali17

I was talking about just saving the backup file from the library location indicated earlier in this thread. Then whenever I happen to lose my data during a restore, I could delete the current file, and replace with my carefully saved backup of my old backup file. Shouldn't this work?

Reply

Answer 10

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:44 PM in response to yvonnejim

I understand what you are trying to do and it sounds like it should work, but I do not know that as a fact.
Since it just backs up text messages, notes and widgets settings (weather cities, stocks...) I did not look in to it that much...

Reply

Answer 11

yvonnejim Author

Level 1

31 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:49 PM in response to viali17

I will try it tomorrow before I do another test restore and post results. It also saves picture roll images which is fairly important to those with a lot of pics. Trying to punch back in all the other stuff is very time consuming for us with lots of stuff in these different categories.

Reply

Answer 12

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:51 PM in response to yvonnejim

I did not know about the photo part, good to know

Reply

Answer 13

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:56 PM in response to yvonnejim

And also, if you sync before you restore I do not think it will ask you if you want to back up your data as it was already backed up during the sync process(it never asked me)

Reply