No right-click backup option in iTunes

This worked for me. I was getting error -50 when trying to backup and couldn't figure it out. Thanks!

Man, it works perfectly!!
Thank you!! 😁

Sideways way to go

Worked perfect iTunes 10.5 iPhone 4 iOS 4.3.3

Windows (ahem) fix for sure im running vista 64bit

THANKS

ohh thank you!!!!! 😀 i've been looking for the solution a long time..too bad my photos was lost last time i sync, coz i cant find the backup option. 😟

greatt .... it worked .. STENROS METHOD FOR MAC = perfect solution THANKS MAN

This was amazing. Thank you so much

Number 1 soln above works, but may cause collateral problems. I propose the following:

1. Ensure iTunes is closed.

2. Backup the file iTunesPrefs.XML

> File location described below'

> Copy and paste with name "Copy of iTunesPrefs.XML" to your desktop]

> DO NOT SIMPLY DELETE iTunesPrefs.XML

> I use the backup name "Copy of iTunesPrefs.XML" simply to avoid confusion as to which file I refer to below...

3. Edit iTunesPrefs.XML file by selecting it, right clicking and using "edit using Notepad ++"..[or use similar editor if you wish]

to find iTunesPrefs.XML.....

FOR Windows Vista and 7 users:

> go here "C: \Usersusername\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes"

FOR Windows XP:users:
> "C: \Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes" or
> "C: \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes"

FOR ALL WINDOWS USERS [XP/VISTA/7]...

> do a search for the word "backup" in the NotePad ++ editor, there'll be something like this:

<key>DeviceBackupsDisabled</key>

<data>

dHJ1ZQ==

</data>

> delete this part of text, and ensure no 'blank row' appears.....

> Save and close

> Open iTunes- problem should be fixed

Mac PCs:

Ensure iTunes is closed.

Open Terminal and type the following commands in:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false
defaults write com.apple.iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false

Open iTunes and resynch. Step 1 should be a backup. If you do not see your device backup, right click it in the left column and select backup.

Stenros method works perfectly! Thank You! 🙂

Thanks Sterno, worked for me! 😁

That's great, Sterno !

Works fine.

Thanks man worked for me

Hello all,

I am having the very same issue, I plug in my iPad 2 to iTunes 11 and all I get is the option to restore from old backups.

The thing is, I tried what you guys suggest here, but it STILL doesn't work. I tried in a couple of different ways actually:

- by typing those commands into Terminal

- by deleting altogether the iTunes preference file and start somewhat from scratch

- by editing the abovementioned iTunes preference file with a plist editor and manually making sure the option is "false", as shown below:

When I plug in my iPad 2 (to iTunes 11 in Snow Leopard), the option to backup is STILL grayed out, the only one available is RESTORE. What am I missing? Please help, I really don't know what else to do. Thanks!

it worked on my iphone 5!!!!! thank you so much!!!!!!

Thank's from France Sterno,it's worked !!!🙂

Absolutely brilliant, you saved me. Thank you.