iTunes asking for password to unlock backup file?

I'm having the identical issue. Never asked it to encrypt the backup and never set a password so I have no idea what password it expects to decrypt, but no password I've ever used on my iPhone was successful.

Help!

This worked for me:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2056876?start=0&tstart=0

the solution is to look at the keychain, look for Halfsquatch's post.

Yes, but the Halfsquatch post is usefull only if you use MAC. What about if you use a PC? Is there a solution?

I had exactly the same problem and tried 1234 and it worked (which isn't my itunes password or unlock code!!) ... not sure when this gets set?

Hey All I had the same problem and found the the backup password was the same as my admin password so yea just typed in my Mac's admin password and presto itunes completed the restore.

Neither works here. Not the system password, not any other password, and Keychain Access doesn't have any passwords for "iPhone" or "iPhone backup" either. Who has figured out how to solve this?

If you have/had an email set up as Microsoft Exchange server then try entering the password for THAT email and submit. I tried it and it worked.

Problem solved (at least for me).

It was looking for the screen lock code - this didn't occur to me because I don't use a screen lock code . . . but I used to use one and once I managed to remember the 4-digit code it unlocked and restored perfectly . . . thank goodness.

Just wanted to say my Uncle had this issue with his iphone after he tried to do the 5.0 update, he said he never even set a password on it but to restore the data it is asking for a password. After reading another members post I just told him to try 0000 and it worked!

Restored his contacts / mail / other settings. He just went to go celebrate!

My guess is the 5.0 version messed with the passwords and it may depends on other settings as to what one works for you, in other words I am sure 0000 wont work for everyone. I say that because lots of people are having this issue and some people are saying the password that worked is the same password as there computer, others are saying 1234 worked, others say 1111 worked, and a few other combonations. But 0000 is what worked for his iphone, and he did not have a password set prior, so if you did not set a password try 0000!

Good luck!.

-Mark

I worked the password issue out.... Well this worked for me anyway

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!

Holy smokes I just had the same experience - phone was wiped and loaded with IOS5, iTunes went to restore it and it was asking for a password. For the last 3 hours I've been messing around with trying different passwords, trying to restore from older backups, trying to "restore" the phone to original factory defaults, rebooting the (Mac) computer, etc. Only after trying a couple dozen passwords from the past few years did the restore actually work! What a mess. I can't believe this.

Hello all,

I have the same issue of wsucoug95, but I don't remember an old password, cause I have only used one!!!!

Is that a bug, like the guy from Apple told me by phone? He couldn't help me find a solution.

"I am upgrading my iPhone 4 to iOS 5. I backed up my phone (via iTunes 10.5) and downloaded and installed iOS 5. I am now going through the setup process and it is at the "Restore from iTunes Backup" step. I connect to iTunes and iTunes is prompting me for a password to "unlock your iPhone backup file." No I did not encrypt the iPhone backup, nor is it or was it checked in iTunes. I have tried my iTunes password, my 4 digit unlock code for the iPhone, and several other passwords. When I did the backup an hour ago I was not asked for a password. I am at a loss as to what it is."

If someone can help me here,

I don't remember that i have ever used a password other than the one i use now, but iTunes keep asking for that password, anyway i can get it from iTunes, it has been like 10 hours I am trying to solve this problem, never been disappointed by Apple like I am now!!

and by the way, I am using Windows 7.

Well, like everyone else here that has Windows 7 and tried to install iOs 5 i tried all of their password suggestions.

1) Apple ID password

2) unlock pin for my phone

3) 1234

4) 0000

5) iOs5 Screwed My Phone (kidding)

NONE of them worked

So I Finally tried my password for my Win 7 log on

BINGO

It was pointed that out earlier in the posts to try your Admin password.

So I hope the summary for this comedy of errors helps someone.

I dont know what will work for who.

But, good luck!