MobileSync Folder in Application Support?

Question

MobileSync Folder in Application Support?

I have found a rather larger MobileSync folder in my application support folder. Is this my iPhone's backup that iTunes uses to restore?

If I remember correctly iTunes used to store all of the software updates along with the backups in the Music folder, iTunes folder. Is this something that has been changed recently?

Any help would be great. Thanks

MacPro Quad Core Xeon 2.66GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.1), 24'' LED Cinema Display

Posted on Feb 1, 2010 6:03 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Jul 6, 2017 5:21 AM in response to georgeskevo

Look under iTunes > Preferences > Devices. Does iTunes think the backups are still there somehow? Did you empty the trash?

See Relocate iOS device backups for a possible approach to move the backup data off the system drive.

tt2

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Answer 2

Jul 5, 2017 11:10 PM in response to Peter O'Toole

Hello,

it seems i have deleted the mobilesync folder with its backups, and now when i try to backup my iphone to mac a message is poping out saying "i do not have enough free space on my mac.

What is the solution? please help to understand.

thanks

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Answer 3

Feb 1, 2010 11:50 AM in response to Peter O'Toole

The folder you found contains the iPhone/iPod Touch backup files used to restore.

The software updates are stored in your user account/Library/iTunes folder.

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Answer 4

Apr 13, 2011 1:14 AM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

The question I have is do I need the folder? Mine is 24gb, and I want that space, I do not have a iphone, but I have 3 ipod touches and an Ipad, do I need to have that big of a restore file?

Can I delete it?, and if so what we would be the negative?

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Answer 5

JarodM

Level 1

24 points

Jul 25, 2011 11:11 AM in response to biggerthanadime

This folder contains the backups for your iOS devices. You can delete this folder, but then you will not be able to restore from backup should the occasion arise. If you want to shrink the size of the folder, delete unwanted apps, etc... from your devices. If you delete the folder, the next time you sync your iOS devices iTunes will attempt to make a new backup anyway so there isn't really a way around it. I have an iphone and an ipad and my folder is about 5GB. My suggestion is to buy a larger hard drive.

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Answer 6

Aug 24, 2011 2:55 PM in response to JarodM

I have the same problem but just found that my file is 200g... I only have 2 iphone 4s at this point, we have had more in the past. Can I just delete all of the back ups and create new ones via iTunes?

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Answer 7

Jan 3, 2012 1:48 PM in response to Peter O'Toole

Reawaking this old topic, I also have a HUGE MobileSync folder, so big I can't believe all of it is relevant anymore. If I have all my data on my device just the way I want it, can I delete all this and plug it in to recreate only what is currently relelvant or is there something irreplaceable that lives in this folder?

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Answer 8

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jan 3, 2012 1:50 PM in response to Scott Nash

in iTunes, go to Preferences > Devices.

If you wish to delete backups, do it there.

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Answer 9

Jan 3, 2012 2:07 PM in response to Chris CA

Excellent. Thank you. It worked perfectly and recoved a lot of space.

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Answer 10

cbeghein

Level 1

9 points

Mar 7, 2012 9:02 PM in response to Scott Nash

ANother question on the subject: if now I backup my phone and ipad to the cloud, I assume I can delete this folder, right? Mine is also 24GB and I could use that space

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