Accessing backup without my iPhone

Question

Level 1

9 points

Accessing backup without my iPhone

Hi fellow iPhone users.

Earlier today I downloaded iTunes to a new PC and updated the software on my phone and PC.
In the process I made a backup on my iPhone (a part of the update process) and it screwed up my phone. I couldn’t unlock it with my pin and went to the store I bought it about 2 years ago.
They needed to take it to the techs to reinstall in because they couldn’t connect to it.

Long story short:
I don’t have the/a iPhone.
I have the backup.
I can’t see the backup in iTunes under Devices --> “Device backups:”

How do I make my backup visible in iTunes?
How do I get access to my data in the backup files? (Pictures, contacts etc.)

Posted on Mar 24, 2011 11:32 AM

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Answer 1

Mooze_76 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 24, 2011 11:47 AM in response to roaminggnome

I guess it's Apples way of making everything dependable on me getting a new iPhone.
It would be so easy for them to make everything available thru iTunes.

It’s annoying things like this that will make me considering getting anything from Apple again.
I have the data but can’t get the information.

Thumbs up.

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Answer 2

Mooze_76 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 24, 2011 12:38 PM in response to varjak paw

And without the "Retrieve several files at a time, super-fast!" you basically have to get every single picture, contact, SMS one by one?

If that’s the case it basically makes the program useless.

Yet another pointless “FREE” program.

Thumbs up for Apple for not including this.

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Mar 24, 2011 12:17 PM in response to Mooze_76

It's a program that works, and yes you have to pay for it. The iPhone backup is an SQlite data base. You could also gather the necessary programs and teach yourself how to decode it.

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Answer 4

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Mar 24, 2011 11:36 AM in response to Mooze_76

You don't, unless you can find some kind of third party backup extractor ( at you risk) that works with the iphone backup.

The backup is not intended for viewing on the computer.

Your contacts should be on your computer in whatever program that you have decided to sync ( Outlook for example) and your pics should be on your computer as well with the exception of Camera Roll pics ( taken with iphone).

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Answer 5

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Mar 24, 2011 12:30 PM in response to Mooze_76

The differences between the free and paid version:

http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com/free-download/

Up to you whether or not you want to give it a try. I don't see that you have much to lose by trying it other than a bit of time and effort.

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Answer 6

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Mar 24, 2011 1:06 PM in response to Mooze_76

OK, then pay for it, if the content is that important and you don't have it elsewhere. Or go look for something free, though I don't know of anything that does more for free that that program does. Or do without. It's your choice.

Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

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Answer 7

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Mar 24, 2011 11:49 AM in response to Mooze_76

Get this:

http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com/

There is no Apple provided/supported software for viewing the contents of an iPhone backup.

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Answer 8

Mooze_76 Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 24, 2011 12:02 PM in response to wjosten

Is it one of those FREE programs that reveals that you have to pay for it AFTER you have installed it and realise that it only have VERY limited functions if you don’t pay?

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Answer 9

Jun 7, 2011 3:47 PM in response to wjosten

Thank you. I read thru what you had posted and the extractor works and it works quickly , thanks for the tip

Darren

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