How long should it take to backup phone?

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Level 1

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How long should it take to backup phone?

I've had my Iphone 3GS for almost 10months, but this is the first time I am actually syncing it to itunes. I'm planning to upgrade to the OS4 and need to back up first.

How long should it actually take to back up the phone? It seems it's taking a very long time. Estimating from the progress bar it looks like it's going to take several hours. That seems kind a long.

Posted on Dec 10, 2010 1:44 PM

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Answer 1

DaVBMan

Level 6

9,280 points

Dec 10, 2010 1:46 PM in response to Linde13Linde

Since you don't sync often, will take a long time.
The backup is actually a database file and the backup is of changes since last back up, so if you never sync, it has a lot to do over USB which is slow.

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Answer 2

Linde13Linde Author

Level 1

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Dec 10, 2010 1:50 PM in response to DaVBMan

Thanks a bunch. that makes sense.

Follow up question: If I disconnect in the middle of a backup, will it have to start the backup process from the start, or will it recognize what's already been backed up?

If it's the former,I might have to keep things plugged in over night.

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Answer 3

DaVBMan

Level 6

9,280 points

Dec 10, 2010 1:51 PM in response to Linde13Linde

You can always just click the x next to the status bar in iTunes where it says backing up, then it will move to next step.

Never just disconnect when it is syncing anything.

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Answer 4

paulcb

Level 6

19,239 points

Dec 10, 2010 2:00 PM in response to Linde13Linde

Also, moving photos off the camera roll should reduce your backup time.

Message was edited by: paulcb

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Answer 5

Bernbout

Level 1

4 points

Feb 9, 2011 8:14 AM in response to DaVBMan

That is a load of rubbish. There is no database file that is updated or created. Instead there are thousands of files crested in my

C:\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

folder. It appears that there is some form of encryption used for each and every file and this encryption is a sloooow process. Currently, after running a backup for 16+ hours on only 16gb of data, I have 17, 367 files in my backup folder and the backup is still not complete. What database is this that uses so many files please tell me?

I work with databases, SQLServer specifically and each database is > 50 gb but never takes even half as long to backup.

I believe it is a serious design fault in the encryption and backup process and should be corrected without misinformed excuses about databases.

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