how to move MobileSync backup folder?

The point of the junction is that the files are still available at the path iTunes wants to use however they should only consume physical drive hard space at the target end of the junction.

tt2

Thanks!

This route really worked for me.

Note 1: Make sure to install the Junction.exe in C:\Windows

Note 2: Cut and Paste the entire Backup folder from the location C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup to D:\Backup (or any other destination drive)

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Effectively the Junction software creates a symbolic link between the default Backup folder (in c:\) to d:\

Cheers!

marsmlodzinski, I am facing the same problem on Windows XP, but with the iOS 5.0 update.

I´ve used junction successfully to create the link to D:\iPhoneSWUpdates.

The files are also shown in

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

On C: I only have limited free space which is not enough for the iOS 5.0 update file. When I put a large test file in location

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

it is also shown in D:\iPhoneSWUpdates and disk space from partition D is used instead of C. So far, so good.

However, when I start iTunes and start downloading the iOS 5.0 update, disk space on C: and D: will be used. When disk space on C: is running out, the download stops with an error and I cannot update my iPhone.

I’ve been struggling with this issue the whole day of yesterday and today and nothing seems to work. 😠 The whole thing has worked with previous iOS updates (e. g. 4.3.2, 4.3.3 and so on). May this be a problem of iTunes 10.5 that is does not recognise the junction correctly?

Alex_34 wrote:

.... May this be a problem of iTunes 10.5 that is does not recognise the junction correctly?

It wouldn't surprise me. I know that in the past using Junctions for regular iTunes content such as Movies has failed, presumably as whatever OS calls it makes break the link. It might be worth seeing if it makes any difference if you apply the junction to say Apple Computer rather than the Software Updates folder. If that won't work then try to find some other large lump of application software or data that you can shift onto drive D: just while you do the update, then shift back when it is done.

tt2

i did this quite easily ( Windows)

go to a different drive and create a folder where u want to keep all ur apps.

copy the apps from \username\my music\ to the new place where u created the folder in my case it was f:\iTunes

create a shortcut in \username\my music\

link this shortcut to the backup folder again in my case

f:\iTunes

it all works fine now

anujmehta15 wrote:

i did this quite easily ( Windows)

go to a different drive and create a folder where u want to keep all ur apps.

copy the apps from \username\my music\ to the new place where u created the folder in my case it was f:\iTunes

This is about the Mobilesync backup folder., not apps.

I have the same situation! ****... why does Apple have to be soo confusing about certain stuff. I can`t update my iPhone because I don`t have enough spage for a backup on C: created a link on D: but the moment I create the link everything that is in the Backup folder on D: pops back up on C: so I have mirror folders with the same content. What can be done?! Help! 😟

f_jancik wrote:

I can`t update my iPhone because I don`t have enough spage for a backup on C: created a link on D: but the moment I create the link everything that is in the Backup folder on D: pops back up on C: 😟

That's the point, the data appears so be on drive C: so it still where iTunes expects to find it, but the space is actually used only on drive D: (or whereever your link goes).

tt2

Yeah.. but when I go to iTunes and try to update my iPhone it starts to create a backup and tells me I don't have enough space on C:?

Then you still need to move some files off C:\ at least on a temporary basis. Empty the trash, kill the probably bloated IE cache, reduce the size of the swap file on C: etc. etc.

tt2

But then what's the point in creating the junction in the first place if it still uses space in the original location? LOL this is so stupid that it's beyond stupid..

I'll just uninstall the whole God **** thing of an iTunes and install it on D! Is there a chance to make a backup of my music and playlists so that when I reinstall iTunes I don't have to spend hours again importing and organizing my music?

If doesn't use the space in the original location (assuming you've done it properly) but iTunes still checks availabe free space on drive C: before it attempts the backup. As long as you have enough for iTunes to proceed the backup can complete without eating any of your free space at all.

The MobileSync backups will always go into the AppData data area of your profile, which is typically on C: Reinstalling the iTunes application on D: (if the installer gives you a choice) won't affect that, but will free up a few MB on C: I suppose.

Uninstalling then reinstalling iTunes won't shouldn't affect your library but you should have it backed up anyway. I use SyncToy 2.1 to keep a clone of my iTunes folder synced to another drive.

tt2

I read somewhere... someone said that when updating iPhone to iOS 5.. after the warning popped up that he doesn't have enough space on C: he pressed continue anyway and half way through the process it stopped because there wasn't enough space..

If it doesnt use space in tge original location why the **** it won't let me create a backup?

I can't free more than 3 GB of space on C: SOB!

Because iTunes isn't clever enough to know you've used a symbolic link to move the backup folder to another disk with plenty of free space. If there is a continue anyway option then you are probably good to proceed. There's bound to be a few gigs of stuff on C: that you don't need on C:for just as long as it takes you to upgrade. You could move that, upgrade, then put it back where it came from...

tt2

Hi,

I am running Windows 7 on a Dell M6600 workstation and ran into the same problem as my OS drive C (128SSD minicard) was filling up. I used a free junction program that made it a breeze to have my 10gb itunes backup reside on my 512GB SSD D drive. The only thing you need to make sure of is that you create the backup directory on your second drive then with itunes closed, move the backup file from your users/yourname/appdata/roaming/apple computers/mobilesync into the new folder on drive D (or whichever drive you have) and then use "Junction Link Magic" (a free program for advanced users) to create the junction. Works perfectly.