Encryption password of local backup to mac

Hi all,

i know this question has been asked quite a bit.

i used to backup to windows using iTunes, but that’s no longer working, I get an error

i remember setting that encryption password

i decided to try backing up to a mac running big Sur (so it is done in finder). It worked great but I tried accessing the backup with iExplorer and it asks for the password, but no passwords I have tried work, even the old iTunes backup password

encryption was checked but finder never asked me for a password when I made the first back up

is this the same password that I used to use with my backups using iTunes on windows (ie, is it a password stored on my iPad itself, a backup password that was set when I used to back up with iTunes on windows)

i then tried disabling encryption and it asked for a password as well

is there any way of resetting the backup password?

also where is this backup password stored, I assume the iPad?

iPad mini, iOS 12

Posted on Jun 11, 2021 7:45 PM

Top-ranking reply

DiZoE

Level 4

3,033 points

Posted on Jun 11, 2021 9:02 PM

You are right about that, the encrypted password is stored on the iOS device, not the computer.

If you did want to remove encrypted backups for that device, you’d have to Reset All Settings on that iOS device:

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/return-iphone-settings-to-their-defaults-iphea1c2fe48/ios

This removes the encrypted password for the device, then you can decide to start backing up without a password, or create a new encrypted password.

However, if the previous backups were encrypted and you don’t know the password, you won’t be able to restore them.

As for your other question, to do a new backup as opposed to overwrite the last one:

I believe that if you re-name your iPad/iPhone/iPod, and do another backup, it creates a full new one.

I think this is the case, but not 100% positive.

You can re-name your device from Settings > General > About.

Hope that helps!

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Encryption password of local backup to mac

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