When does iTunes override iPhone backup?

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Level 1

16 points

When does iTunes override iPhone backup?

Alright so I've been trying to figure this issue out with iTunes. Usually when you backup your iphone to your itunes, it saves one backup and if you make any changes it just *updates* that backup rather than creating another one. Now other times I've seen it where it creates a new backup but has a different time stamp. So my quesiton is, when does itune Override the backup and when does it create a new backup using the same name? Not talking bout create a new backup or setting up the iphone as New device. Here is a screen shot of wut i mean....

As you can see in the image you have Mr. White - and has 3 different backups... but yet Mr. White2_ only has 1 backup and I already backed up 3x. Why doesn't it do a new backup rather just overrdiing it.

THIS REALLY CONFUSES ME! I hope someone can explain this to me!

Posted on Sep 1, 2011 1:03 AM

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Answer 1

Ingo2711

Level 9

70,257 points

Sep 1, 2011 1:11 AM in response to Djmx

iTunes will not replace your backup if you use the backup to restore your device from. Then it will get a time stamp and stay in the backup list in iTunes/Edit/Preferences/Devices.

After that iTunes will start again to create a new backup during the next sync.

Message was edited by: Ingo2711

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Answer 2

Djmx Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 1, 2011 1:15 AM in response to Ingo2711

That makes no sense... it shouldn't matter whether you restore your iphone or not.. I'm talking about when does it create a new backup instead of overiding the old backup... let's say at 12:20 backed up my phone, 12:30AM i delete a few photos and a few texts msgs... and i do another 'backup' it OVERRIDES the backup does not create a new one... which means that now i'm screwed and I can't get my old backup (SMS, photos, etc...) UNLESS i backed up the mobilesync folder in /Library.....

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Answer 3

Ingo2711

Level 9

70,257 points

Sep 1, 2011 1:30 AM in response to Djmx

Every backup replaces the old one, unless you use the old backup to restore your device, that's the way it is working in iOS4: iPhone and iPod touch: About backups

iTunes only keeps one backup created during the sync process for each device. If you restore the iPhone or iPod touch and choose to set up as a new device from the Set Up your iPhone (or iPod touch) screen, iTunes will automatically sync and create a new, empty backup that will replace your previous backup. If you change your mind and want to restore to your previous state, you will have to retrieve your previous device backup from Time Machine (on your Mac), or other backup solution you regularly use. If you have Mac OS X 10.5.5 or later and use Time Machine, you may use Time Machine to find a previous backup.

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Answer 4

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Sep 1, 2011 1:39 AM in response to Djmx

Have no clue what you mean by "overrides the backup." After making a backup, subsequent backups are "incremental" to the previous backup - data is added or deleted as required without having to backup from scratch, but is changed to reflect the current state of the data on the phone.

Separate backups are saved and timestmped whenever you make one when you restore the phone. These backup are not incrementally overwritten and can be selected when you restore from backup.

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Answer 5

Sep 15, 2011 10:52 AM in response to modular747

"Separate backups are saved and timestmped whenever you make one when you restore the phone. These backup are not incrementally overwritten and can be selected when you restore from backup."

...is the above really true?

I have a backup from all the way in 2010. I just made another backup today 2011. I want to restore (for whatever reason) back to 2010. However, I do NOT see 2010 as an option to backup from.

please advise!

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