can't restore iphone 4 from back up

Question

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

can't restore iphone 4 from back up

i synched my iphone, transferred purchases, then backed up.

then i downloaded the most recent version of itunes and iOS 4.3.5.

i installed the software and the iphone hung when windows rebooted.

the iphone was stuck i recovery mode

i clicked "restore" and it restored to factory settings.

every time i click "restore" i get no option to restore from back up as i did in previous restorations.

what's going on. i did everything by the book by making complete back up and syncs before installing.

any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

dell inspiron 6400, Windows Vista

Posted on Aug 29, 2011 4:15 AM

Reply

Answer 1

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:28 AM in response to markystar

After you "restore" your phone, and the phone is activated, you should get this screen:

Did you not get this screen?

Reply

Answer 2

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:35 AM in response to wjosten

no. there are 2 buttons:

check for updates

restore

i click on restore and it starts a LONG process of restoring. there is no option to choose a back up file.
it's so strange.

Reply

Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:37 AM in response to markystar

Right-click your phone in the left device pane, is one of your options "Restore From Backup"?

Reply

Answer 4

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:40 AM in response to wjosten

i tried that before and was surprised that no, there wasn't an option. not even a grayed out option.

the options listed are:

eject

new playlist
sync
transfer

back up (grayed out)

reset warnings

Reply

Answer 5

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:42 AM in response to markystar

iTunes>Preferences(under the edit menu if using Windows)>Devices...are there any iPhone backups listed here?

Reply

Answer 6

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:47 AM in response to wjosten

omg!

no. there's nothing in there!

should be back ups dating back to my old iphone 3G. but nothing is listed.

Reply

Answer 7

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:51 AM in response to markystar

i just checked \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

and there is nothing in the roaming folder. nothing.

Reply

Answer 8

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:51 AM in response to markystar

iTunes places the backup files in the following places:

Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Windows Vista and Windows 7: \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

Copy the backup folder to your desktop, then perform a sync. First thing done when you sync is an iPhone backup. After the sync completes, go back to iTunes>Preferences>Devices...is an iPhone backup listed?

Reply

Answer 9

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:00 AM in response to wjosten

there is nothing there. i did a systemwide search for "MobileSync" and nothing came up in windows search on any of my drives. this is not good.

i can't understand. i watched it back up all my files. i watched it sync. i watched it transfer purchases.

how can there be nothing?

Reply

Answer 10

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:03 AM in response to markystar

From your initial post:

"i installed the software and the iphone hung when windows rebooted."

I suspect something happened/got corrupted & this data was lost/deleted. Do you backup your computer? Does your phone create a backup now?

Reply

Answer 11

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:05 AM in response to wjosten

it appears to be able to back up. but it's just factory settings.

if i did a system restore, do you think the files would come back? (somehow i doubt it, tho)

Reply

Answer 12

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:10 AM in response to markystar

Sorry, but your data appears to be gone...something happened when your computer re-booted. Thus, there is no data to restore to your phone.

Reply

Answer 13

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:13 AM in response to wjosten

wow.

this is such BS. i ALWAYS back up diligently to make sure this never happens.
i don't understand the point of making back ups if apple's own software can delete them if something goes wrong during the update process. i mean, that's the whole point of making a back up in the first place. (so you have a safe back up copy).

what a bizarre infinite loop apple created here. ugh.

anyways, i'm happy you took the time to help me out.

i can't believe that everything is gone (photos, files) and i have to re-set up my screens and folders. ARGH.

Reply

Answer 14

markystar Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:14 AM in response to markystar

all my purchases are gone too.

all my purchased apps too.

Reply

Answer 15

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:35 AM in response to markystar

You can re-download your purchased content for free(if in the US), this will become available for the rest of the world when iCloud goes live this fall. If you're not in the US, you can still re-download your purchased apps for free. For music, contact iTunes support & request they add the lost music to your download queue: