How do I manually import a backup into iTunes/Apple Devices app?

Question

Level 1

5 points

How do I manually import a backup into iTunes/Apple Devices app?

I’m trying to help a friend get his iPhone restored. He recently paid a data recovery service to get the data from his damaged phone. They sent him an iTunes backup, as well as all the raw data that is viewable on a regular computer.

The issue I’m running into is that I cannot get iTunes or Apple Devices to see the backup. I’ve placed it in the correct directory, but I still can’t get past the “Restore from backup” option being greyed out everywhere.

I’m running iTunes and Apple Devices on Windows 11.

iPhone 12

Posted on Sep 26, 2024 8:43 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

274,552 points

Oct 3, 2024 7:00 AM in response to Swagley51

I agree with the points made by 6x6. Apple haven't provided a proper mechanism to open backup sets on demand. See Archive iPhone backup in Windows - Apple Community for a possible approach, where you might make a new backup, and then rename folders so that the backup you want to connect to replaces the one you've just created. I suspect this will all be easier to do if you use the native iTunes app with Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices removed first such that iTunes can manage the restore function.

tt2

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 6

15,530 points

Oct 2, 2024 5:31 PM in response to Swagley51

Apple does not recommend doing anything "manually" in the iPhone backup folder. That might be the reason why you are not seeing the backup. Try to quit iTunes and restart the Windows PC.

Otherwise, see if a tool like iMazing could do the job.

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