iPhone backup and Time Machine

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iPhone backup and Time Machine

The iPhone backup to the Mac gets stored in the user Library in Application Support/Mobile Sync.

Time Machine backs up the data volumes for the drive. I'm presuming that includes the user Library folder. The user Library folder can't be seen on the drive, nor can it be accessed from the Time Machine application. Perhaps my presumption is wrong and the user Library is not backed up by Time Machine. If it is, how can it be accessed? The Library access seems to be restricted to migration, but this would only use the latest version.

Could anyone explain what's going on here, and how the user can get to dated versions of iPhone backups?

Thanks very much.

Posted on Nov 29, 2021 9:53 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

67,414 points

Nov 29, 2021 11:53 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom Wolsky wrote:

When the Library display is active in the Finder when I'm in Time Machine I only see the Library in Now. If I step back any further in time, even the previous TM step, there is no Library.

Try stepping into the Library folder before starting Time Machine. I did it and was able to navigate back:

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

210,509 points

Nov 29, 2021 10:36 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Is your Library folder visible via the Finder? If not while in the Home folder go to View ➙ Show View Options menu. Then check this checkbox:

Now all TM backups in the future will have the Library folder visible.

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky Author

Level 10

151,977 points

Nov 29, 2021 11:15 AM in response to Old Toad

Thank you very much Toad. I couldn't get this at first selecting the user in the folder structure. Apparently these options will only appear if the user is in the Finder sidebar (which I never have displayed). When the Library display is active in the Finder when I'm in Time Machine I only see the Library in Now. If I step back any further in time, even the previous TM step, there is no Library.

I'm guessing there is no system for this in macOS, and the only way to keep backups is to manually archive in the Finder interface.

Thanks again.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky Author

Level 10

151,977 points

Nov 29, 2021 11:02 AM in response to lllaass

I just see one folder that has a creation date from 2019 and a modification date from today. Inside is a complex folder structure which are all modified today inside of which are files that have various dates that appear totally random.

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,459 points

Nov 29, 2021 10:15 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

This is what my Finder shows:

When I enter Time Machine I see the same thing. I can't take a screenshot when in Time Machine

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky Author

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Nov 29, 2021 11:57 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Great. Thank you so much Luis. This way I can get back to older versions. Now I have to see what I can do with it.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

210,509 points

Nov 29, 2021 12:09 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

The Library have to have been visible previously before it can be see in Time Machine. If the library wasn't visible in Finder at the time of the backup it won't be visible in Time Machine.

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Answer 8

Tom Wolsky Author

Level 10

151,977 points

Nov 29, 2021 12:35 PM in response to Old Toad

Thank you. Yes indeed, the Library has to be selected so the contents can be visible in TM.

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iPhone backup and Time Machine

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