IOS 5 Update encrypted my backup, WTH is the password????

Hi,

I had the same problem and my apple ID password unlocked the backup.

I certainly didn't ask for the backup to be password protected, but at least I got it open!

Tim

I am having this same problem. I never choose to encrypt my backup file before and have defintely never set a password yet after upgrading my iPad to iOS 5, I can't restore my iPad and my Apple ID is not unlocking the backup file. I even tried to restore a backup file that I made a couple of weeks ago (I had copied it to a backup drive) and it is prompting me for an unlock password for it as well.

Very depressed now as I had a ton of videos, recordings, notes, etc on my iPad. Really hating Apple right now. I can't believe they would not adequately test the backup and restore process!!! Unbelievable!!

Wondering if there is a way to uninstall the latest iTunes and re-install an older version and then restore my iPad using my backup file from two weeks ago. I don't care if it takes my iPad back to a pre-iOS 5 version at this point. I just want my lost data back.

I am having the same problem, plugged in 3GS phone, backed up to PC as per usual, then it started and completed the update to iOS5 on the phone and asked me for my password to restore all my backup files. I have never knowingly set a password so tried my itunes store password - wrong. Then requested a new password to be set and then i used this. - wrong! Now have no idea what to do short of returning to factory settings?? Any ideas??

thanks

Here we go, I've exactly the same problem. I'm a bit ****** off, every time I plug my iPhone to a computer I have to wear an helmet and get ready for the worst.

Before this update I had my backups to count on a recover everything, now Apple has screwed this too.

By the way: my Apple Account password is NOT working...

Addenum: Funambol saved my a#$ on contacts list, but the rest is gone.

When I set up the iPhone 4 to ios5. iTunes ask me enter the backup password. But I never set up before.

What can I do now ????????

Please help help help !!!!!!!!!

PURE MADNESS: my password is 12345. And I've NEVER set this one in ANY of my systems.

Let me know if it's the same for you, I could be the lucky winner of 10 points 😀

P:S.

Thanks Elcomsoft and his EPPB for the help.

This is really really annoying... I am afraid iTunes is the WORST computer software I've probably ever used in my life. It is unbelievable that Apple can force its users to use this crap. Just unbelievable.

Do they just not care at all about their users data? Not at all? Surely MANY people is currently experiencing this problem.

Is it so dificult to make iTunes ask about password before making a backup ?

How can I possilbly know a password I have never set??

I believe we all should sue Apple for this.

After about three hours of trying everything in the forums and online; different combinations of 1111, 1234, 12345, the name of my iPad, my Apple iTunes account password, Elcomsoft, my PIN number that I used to lock my iPad...nothing worked.

I finally gave up and am trying to come to grips with the fact that I lost all of my videos, pictures, app settings, app data, Safari bookmarks (which were extensive). Very unhappy iPad user now and the new features I got with the upgrade are defintely not worth this headache.

I had a feeling that with Steve Jobs gone, Apple would slowly decline over the next five to ten years and it looks like they are off to a terrific start!

On my Mac it is the password that I use to sign into the computer. I'm not sure if it's the same on windows or not.

FIXED!!!! Exact same thing happened to me...tried my Windows user log in...and...IT WORKED!!! Give it a try.

Tried EVERYTHING suggested in forums. Eventuall after 4 hours trying all passwords I've ever used for anything in the last 20 years .... it ended up being the password for the encrypted usb stick I use which is managed through Sanctuary software.

Hope this helps someone else.

mavisiyah wrote:

This is really really annoying... I am afraid iTunes is the WORST computer software I've probably ever used in my life. It is unbelievable that Apple can force its users to use this crap. Just unbelievable.

Do they just not care at all about their users data? Not at all? Surely MANY people is currently experiencing this problem.

Is it so dificult to make iTunes ask about password before making a backup ?

How can I possilbly know a password I have never set??

I believe we all should sue Apple for this.

Then vote with your wallet and leave. Geesh... talk about irrate over a minor little detail.

I worked the password issue out.

The password did turn out to be my usual password. I tried this password MANY times when trying to backup my new 4S from my old 3GS, but it was never accepted.

So I tried to change the password within iTunes. It asked me for my old password and to set a new one.

THIS WORKED!!! Old password was accepted as was the new one I entered.

I have now totally backed by my new 4S with my 3GS data!

Though, did you know that XP is not supported with 4S, so your Mail details will not be restored. But all my contacts, messages, apps, phone call dats etc have been totally restored! Phew!

Had the same problem while updating my girlfriends iPhone. It seems iTunes used her appleid password for the backup.

Hopefully this will help some of you!

I got my first Mac laptop in 2005. Since then I have had an iMac last year, and now a MBP.

The password that this encryption wanted for my iPhone 4G was my first ever administration login password for my first ever Apple product. (Not my Apple ID).

I know this as I have only ever used that password for that. Weird and very un-Apple for apple users to have to waste hours of their time racking their brains to unlock an encryption that for many folk it would appear did not encrypt in the first place.