Restore iPhone from older backup

I need to restore and/or re-install a backup file which I have stored in my MobileSync folder under the Applications Support Folder to a newly-installed iTunes 10.7 version. I need to somehow access and re-install the stored folder/files directly which does not show on a newly-installed iTunes. But all I see accessible are these drop downs that hold nothing, no backups cause it's a new iTunes, but there seems to be no other option to use a Browse button and find any file you want, unless I'm missing something? I then have to restore my apps if the backup file doesn't have them, but do this with a different Apple ID through the store if possible. Any suggestions?

have you tried this?...dragging files from the older backup into the newer recognizable backup folder and thus having all of your older files now accessible by iTunes? I was contemplating this as well but wasn't sure if it worked.

hey guys, i have found out the way that you won't be lost or overwritten older backups. The reason why we lose backups is when we back up iPhone every time we don't go to iTunes> Preferences > Devices > list of backups files....and click on the backup that is the newest one to '' ARCHIVE "

and here we go, i don't get overwritten

Hope this will help you guys in future.

THANK YOU so much for this post. I was about to be in tears after thinking I lost my old backup. I have been trying to unlock my iphone/switch carriers/back up phones/restore phones for the past 4 hours and I went to back up my mom's phone and saw that my old back up wasn't an option on the drop down menu anymore. *heart sinks* mind you, this was after I JUST did a total erase of my phone. (as per att unlock instructions).

Anyhow, THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

EDIT > PREFERENCES > DEVICE and BOOM, there was my back up from 3 hours ago.

#youthebest 🙂
~Ra

I deleted all my backups in error. Created a new back up (but it was really useless) and then dragged the files from a good backup folder in my "time machine" backups in to the new backup folder... voila! It worked like a charm, thanks for the recommendation and always remember to backup, backup, backup.

I Had taken my iphone backup 7 montjs ago on itunes , nd today i took another phones backup , & then restored the phone , but after i connected new phone it requested me to download new virsion of itunes on pc , so i did but its not responding, plz help me to get my backup

I realize your post (ivy3) is from 2 years ago, but I hope you or someone will see my additional question.

I am trying to follow the steps you describe. I even found the "hidden" Library folder in the Finder for the folder containing the iTunes backup files. However, the backup folder seems to have hundreds of little files for each time a back-up was saved. I don't know what to delete! Is this where I'm supposed to delete anything?

When you say (in your post back in 2013) "I then went back into itunes and deleted the most recent back up from the homescreen of iTunes", what exactly are you referring to? What do you consider the "homescreen of iTunes"? What exactly should I select to "delete" and how?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

I Got the same issue can you ressolve this?

i was wondering if you found out what she meant by deleting off the home screen? I have the same problem and have been trying to retrieve old text messages for the past 8 hours and no luck. Please help!!

Hi ivy3

If I could reach thru the laptop screen and give you a big hug I would! Your instructions worked and ALL my stuff is restored onto my new phone and I am soooooo happy!!!

Thank you so so much.

How exactly to restore from copied backup folder? Replace it with backup folder in computer?

Thank you.