How do I change I tunes backup location to my external hard drive. Thanks

Hello Kylie2230,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities! I understand that you would like to move your iTunes backup to an external drive. I would be happy to help provide steps to do so.

Here's a resource that could help:

Back up and restore your iTunes Library - Apple Support

I suggest following the sections in the order they are listed to consolidate your iTunes library, then locate the iTunes Media folder. The "Back up your library and media files" section will then show you how to move the iTunes folder to an external drive.

Cheers!

A valid point. An alternative approach would be to use the information in Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support to locate the particular backup and move that to an external drive, then copy it back if needed for restore purposes. The original poster might be better using iCloud for backup, paying for additional storage if necessary, rather than relying on someone else's computer.

tt2

Your suggestion in your tip on how to use a symbolic link to move the itunes backup folder is not a good option for this person, since they're using a laptop and wanting to move the backup location to an external drive. That external drive will definitely not be connected to the laptop at all times and that link will be broken. Not sure what iTunes will do when that link is missing its target, maybe nothing.

Agreed. Also it seems odd that the backup is that huge as iTunes doesn't back up apps, music, movies, etc that you are sync'ing from the iTunes store (or a computer). Therefore if that's mainly photos and videos, the OP really should either purchase some iCloud storage space or their own computer. Or do some cleanup.

There's not a perfect solution for your specific question/situation. You can't tell iTunes to use a different backup folder, especially one that isn't always connected to the laptop.

One thing you can do is to find the backup subfolder containing your phone's backup (located in %AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup) and manually move it to your external drive. If you ever wanted to restore it you'd have to manually copy it back. It is going to be named with a cryptic number, but you'll be able to figure out which one it is based on its size (right click on the folder and view its properties).

That's not a long term solution though. Bottom line is if you want to regularly back up your phone you're going to need a computer with more local storage on it. I also wonder why your backup is so huge, but that gets into an entirely different discussion.

See Relocate iOS device backups. Review the rest of the Make a split library portable user tip for advice on organizing the iTunes library on external storage if required.

tt2