Moving my iPhone backup from old computer to new one

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Level 1

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Moving my iPhone backup from old computer to new one

Okay, so long story short: I’ve been using my windows 8 laptop for the last 11 years.

However recently I had a hard drive failure and had to hand it in for repair and of course, complete re-installation.

I have since bought a new laptop that runs windows 11.

I’m going to be using that laptop as my primary laptop from now on, and want to move my iTunes folder and iPhone backup to that computer.

I backed up both my iTunes folder and ‘Apple Computer’ folder to my external hard drive.

Am I correct in assuming that what I need to do when I get the new laptop is install iTunes on it, but not open it. Then locate the Music/iTunes folder on that computer and copy over my original folder? And would I need to do the same for my Apple computer folder?

Thanks in advance! x

Posted on Jun 11, 2024 11:06 AM

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Answer 1

javaliga

Level 10

120,179 points

Jun 11, 2024 12:56 PM in response to Koala_Kaz

You don't generally need to copy over your iOS device backups if your devices are working normally as fresh backups will be made during the first sync on the new computer. If you still wish to keep your old backup sets for any reason, e.g. moving backup data from a Vista or XP system to restore to an iOS 10 or later device in a newer version of iTunes, then see Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support for information on the folder you need to copy across. See Relocate iOS device backups if you want to move the backup data from the system drive for reasons of space.

For more info, follow the steps in these links:

Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community

Move your iTunes library to another computer - Apple Support

Moving the Music library to a New Apple I… - Apple Community

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Answer 2

Koala_Kaz Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 11, 2024 4:51 PM in response to javaliga

Hi! Thank you for the info and links :)

The main reason that I want to move my current back up from my old computer to my new one, is because I have a LOT of files on my iPhone, and the last time I backed my iPhone on my prior laptop (after not having backed up for a year or more - I know, I know) it took hours to back up, and I just really don’t want to go through that again.

Hence why I’d much rather just install iTunes on my new laptop and copy my backup files onto it, to save myself the many hours of making a new backup.

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Moving my iPhone backup from old computer to new one

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