Q: iTunes asking for backup password???

Hotchili wrote:

 

I think that since Apple can lock down a computer that's halfway across the world using icloud, they could also offer an option to use that technology to give the necessary credentials to unencrypt a local file. Obviously many people are losing data because of the current situation, and whether they mistakenly input a password without realizing it or simply forgot it, there could be a method of resolving it using the icloud platform, if Apple were so inclined.

iTunes backups are local, nothing to do with the cloud.

The answer is not to forget the password, or if you are incapable of that, don't use one

Hotchili wrote:

 

I think that since Apple can lock down a computer that's halfway across the world using icloud, they could also offer an option to use that technology to give the necessary credentials to unencrypt a local file. Obviously many people are losing data because of the current situation, and whether they mistakenly input a password without realizing it or simply forgot it, there could be a method of resolving it using the icloud platform, if Apple were so inclined.

Activation Lock does not touch your computer or iOS device. It marks it as locked in THEIR servers. Apple has no access to your computer at all, and the backup passcode is stored only on your computer. That is intentional, so no one can accuse Apple of stealing or accessing your data. And so Apple can legally refuse to unlock your backup for spy agencies or law enforcement, because it is technically impossible. If there were any way for Apple to decrypt your backup, it would just be a matter of time before some hacker figured it out. Be careful what you wish for. This is the whole political argument for "back door" access that the FBI, CIA, NSA, GCHQ some legislators want to mandate.

TThank you so much, very good advice.

Thats exactly right,

Basically if you never encrypted your backup it would not ask for your password

Regards

After hours of problems, this actually worked!  I had a ! in my password, took it out and left everything else and it's now downloading the backup!?!?!

This was super helpful! I tried every password I could think of that I had used on Apple (therefore would have upper and lower case) but not necessarily, try any passwords used for any account and hopefully one will work! Seems everyone is right and Apple have just grabbed passwords from anywhere (a bit scary!!)

Sparker90 wrote:

 

This was super helpful! I tried every password I could think of that I had used on Apple (therefore would have upper and lower case) but not necessarily, try any passwords used for any account and hopefully one will work! Seems everyone is right and Apple have just grabbed passwords from anywhere (a bit scary!!)

IT is technologically impossible for Apple to have "grabbed passwords from anywhere" as most of the passwords that have been mentioned in this thread are not stored anywhere on your computer in plaintext. Any backup password was entered by someone, whether they remember doing it or not. If you truly believe that iTiunes can actually do that then dump your computer and never use another computer, because if Apple can do it then any program you install on your computer can do it, and you have no way to protect your personal information from anyone.

Sparker90 wrote:

 

This was super helpful! I tried every password I could think of that I had used on Apple (therefore would have upper and lower case) but not necessarily, try any passwords used for any account and hopefully one will work! Seems everyone is right and Apple have just grabbed passwords from anywhere (a bit scary!!)

No, they aren't right at all.  Apple has absolutely zero access to your iTunes backups and passwords.

You're being scared by fear mongers and ignorant people.

The only reason another account password would ever work is if you yourself had used that password for both that account AND your iTunes encrypted backup.

Only someone with physical access to your computer and iPhone can choose to enable an encrypted password.

OK. Thanks for the reassurance. I do not have any memory of setting a password for backup hence my concern but I'm just glad I've been able to restore again.

I have the same problem today after  4 years between the first segnalation of this problem! , with the aggravating circumstance that none of the suggested solutions works , because are all mistaked and only worked for lucky event...I'm sure no password I have choose today ...maybe 1 year before for another backup.....

.:ITunes make backup on  your computer without asking for a password , but taking it automatically from, who knows where?, and after you ask for it

.....and then I lost the data , or rather are inside my computer and I can not download them . Even the assistance apple has not been able to help me , then :

UNTIL APPLE DOES NOT FACE THE PROBLEM NOT TRUST THE BACUP ON COMPUTER !

geta wrote:

 

I have the same problem today after  4 years between the first segnalation of this problem! , with the aggravating circumstance that none of the suggested solutions works , because are all mistaked and only worked for lucky event...I'm sure no password I have choose today ...maybe 1 year before for another backup.....

.:ITunes make backup on  your computer without asking for a password , but taking it automatically from, who knows where?, and after you ask for it

.....and then I lost the data , or rather are inside my computer and I can not download them . Even the assistance apple has not been able to help me , then :

UNTIL APPLE DOES NOT FACE THE PROBLEM NOT TRUST THE BACUP ON COMPUTER !

No, iTunes does NOT create an initial encrypted backup without your permission.  To create an encrypted backup, you must first create a password.  There are no if, ands or buts about it.  It does NOT happen.  It has NEVER happened.  An encrypted iTunes backup had user input.  Period.

However, if you previously encrypted a device backup, and then have automatic backups enabled, then it would update that backup, and that updated backup would still be encrypted, using the most recent password you used, or from when you first encrypted the backup.

Any and all reports of iTunes making an (initial) encrypted backup without user input are completely, totally and categorically false.

it is useless to get angry!

I solved the problem without any help from Apple. I confirm that the backup was made 12/5 without any request for keyword and with the unchecked checkbox. To restore the backup file made on 12 / 5 called a keyword. I tried to use  the a backup file of the 11/15. It was loaded without a password but the procedure after about one hour is blocked and was not successful. After I found the password entered on the occasion of the 11/15 backup and with that I managed to do the restore. Then:

Itunes has entered  without any request the password used in the previous backup even if the option box was not checked.(if I had ed the box would be required a password, I would have easily remembered!)  Maybe also was checked and I have not saw it....But why ? To uncheck it by default would be better!!! ... also better would be explane this problem to call center staff. Having to arrive alone, without any help, denotes that there is  a problem that is not solved by dogmatic and self-righteous claims.

Once you select an Encrypted backup method, it remains an Encrypted backup method until you turn it off by unchecking the box and supplying the password that was used to begin the Encryption process.

There is nothing to explain to the Call Center staff, and the responses are not dogmatic and self-righteous, just the facts:

About encrypted backups in iTunes - Apple Support

No one is mad. Just emphasizing that Encrypted backups do not set themselves up....

Cheers,

GB

OMG!!! I Thank you and my daughter thanks you. I have been beating my head trying figure out what happened, I didn't check the box for back up and it wouldn't let me restore her phone. all is good Thank you!

GUYS......Please try to remember all the passwords used in your life with all combinations.

As this is a Itunes bug which automatically encrypts the file even if you didn't setup the password.

This bug encrypted my data from the jobsite password which I used in the past. Luckly I save everything in my Notes (Iphone) and eventually sync to Gmail account.

Try this helpful step.

I recovered my Files after 2 days of fight.

Cheers.........