Removing Previous iPhone Backups

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Level 1

16 points

Removing Previous iPhone Backups

Hello, I was wondering, does iTunes create an individual backup for every time you sync the iPhone using iTunes? If so how much space do the iPhone backups take on my hard drive and is there any way to, for example, set a maximum number of backups which simply get written over?

Maybe there is a way of deleting old backups? For example only keeping one, or two months worth of backups.

Ideas/suggestions are welcome.

Thxs,

MacBook White (early 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.2), iPhone 3G 8Gb + iPod Black 60Gb + iShuffle Black 4Gb

Posted on Apr 23, 2010 7:56 AM

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Answer 1

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Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Apr 23, 2010 8:16 AM in response to pweester

pweester wrote:
If so how much space do the iPhone backups take on my hard drive

you can find out

the tilde represents your home folder.

IMHO, it's not a good idea to delete your backup(s) unless you are doing something specific...

J GG

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Answer 2

Apr 23, 2010 9:56 AM in response to pweester

iTunes only keeps one backup created during the sync process for each device. If you restore your iPhone, iTunes creates a separate backup.

Look at iTunes > Preferences > Devices. The normal backup is indicated at XXX's iPhone. A restore backup has the backup date attached to the name.

Read all about backups here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

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Answer 3

pweester Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 24, 2010 5:11 AM in response to Jolly Giant

Thxs but i don't have the 'mobilesync' folder you refer too.

Application support, ys, but that's it, nothing that resembles 'mobilesync' anywhere to be seen.

I do see a backup under 'devices' in my iTunes/preferences....

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Answer 4

pweester Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 24, 2010 5:13 AM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

Great, thxs, thats what I wanted to know. Only one backup kept. That meas minimum space taken up on my HDD. Thxs. I am happy to know that the last backup is the one stored. Time Machine can always do the rest f I need to go further back in time...
Thxs,

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