password to unlock your iphone backup file

sashquatch wrote:

This password is the code to your phone or other device that was initially backed up.

The passcode to the encrypted back up is not the same as the passcode to the device unless you specifically made them the same. The passcode to my encrypted back up has never (and will never be) been the same as the passcode to my phone. That would be bad security practice.

Finally! after trying every possible password i could think of, that i've ever used... i finally got it! I don't remember creating a PW for iTunes, but i must have and it was one of the usual ones that i use. Keep trying guys! I think a lot of people overlooked creating a PW with iTunes in the distant past considering it doesn't ask you for one or require you to use one often.. my PW was capitalized, and also contained numeric characters as well, hope that helps others.

I have same issue only I am trying to back up to my computer for the first time.... it's funny that I need a password since I have never backed up to computer before.... Trying to remember all my passwords from the past still no luck... 5 days no luck... to those people that have given positive advice thanks a lot... your insights have been greatly appreciated... to those people with negative comments ... get a life ... you can't tell me you never forgot a password and that you looked a password recovery answers... for those that commented that we should have known or accept the our circumstances are a bunch of *****... we are looking for assistance not criticism .

Sounds silly as this literally has just happened to me... but I tried all of my known passwords that I use... from years ago using upper and lower case and i'm not sure which one worked but give it ago because my phone is finally restoring the back up

OMG, ok, yes it's true what everyone else has been saying re:recovering your pwd. Yes, you do need to close your eyes, meditate and figure it out. Step away for a few hours then come back.

NOTE however, my pwd was not my original pwd from when I first signed on to itunes 8 yrs ago. The pwd was one of the variations that occurred over the years. This would've been helpful for me to know.

I did the tenorshare iphone backup unlocker but it's still running and I ended up wasting $56 for it to find my pwd because I figured my pwd out before the tenoshare search was over. Note, the free version covers up to only 4 characters so if your pwd is longer than that you'll have to buy an upgraded version. Also, my pwd was a combo of number, uppercase and lowercase characters if that helps. Good luck!

Firstly - identify what type of password you need.

If it is the lock screen password on iphone, swipe to open, it will present you with a number pad and 4 or more spaces to enter the number. If it has 4 spaces, you know you need to enter a 4 digit number.

Now - if you have previously connected this device to itunes, you should run itunes on pc /mac.

Then plug in phone via cable to pc.

Itunes will recognize your device and display its name -eg johns iphone 4 etc.

Click on backup and itunes will ask you to enter the passcode before it can proceed.

Here you can enter the 4 digit code as many times as you like, it will never lock up - so eventually you will get it correct.

This method avoids the permanent lock on attempting to remember your passcode by entering it on your phone to many times. 10 times and it is fully locked. I believe entering same code repeatedly counts as only one attempt - ie ios is smart enough to see this.

Wow, even 6 years later this holds true. Your original apple id password is what you need to enter. Absolutely insane to think it does not update with your current apple id password. I'm on around my 10th new password since then (iPhone 4 was my first phone). Glad I keep track of everything.

Dawson14 wrote:

Wow, even 6 years later this holds true. Your original apple id password is what you need to enter. Absolutely insane to think it does not update with your current apple id password. I'm on around my 10th new password since then (iPhone 4 was my first phone). Glad I keep track of everything.

Only if that's what you used as your passcode. The passcode to the encrypted back up is not linked to your Apple ID. You can use the same password but you don't have to. I've never used my Apple ID password as my backup password.

Which demonstrates that this is a design problem other than human error. It says "Enter the password to unlock your iphone backup". The first thing I asked myself was "Which password are you talking about? Phone, computer, iCloud or iTunes password? The list goes on because of lack of specificity with even no pw recovery option for such important task like fetching a backup. I was lucky to try with a couple 'till I nailed it, but in terms of User Experience and Design Thinking: poor!

It is not as simple as a password reset. The characters you enter are used to encrypt the backup.

They are part of the encryption key.

The encryption key is known only by you. That's what makes it so secure.

It's a comprehension issue. IMO

Totally agree, spent a few hours as not sure whether it was a 4 digit code etc, entered many MANY passwords and finally went back to one and entered the first letter as lower case, (as had previously entered them all with the first letter being uppercase), and thank god it worked.

So agree there must surely be an easier way of finding out exactly what is required or at least a simple way of re setting

Absolutely false. The pass-code is not the same as the password for the backup. If you want to spread false information please go elsewhere. The 4 digit pass-codes are NOT what it is asking for. It wants your Apple ID password that you used with your first backup. PERIOD. It doesn't want your current password, it doesn't want your finger print or 4 digit pass-code, it wants your original password you ever used to back up your phone. Which again, is absolutely insane. It doesn't specify or even give a hint of what you should use either. This is a typical Apple way of being extremely difficult for no reason. Like I said, my original password was over 8 years old, and that's what I had to enter to get it to unlock. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

I'm having the same issue. I'm sure I never set an encrypted password backup, have tried every possible password, deleted previous backup from years ago and still no option to uncheck encryption. Please help. Desperate to setup my new iphone 7 but can't until I successfully backup 6 with encryption.

I didn't realize I had encrypted my backup either (must have clicked it at some point) and guess passwords. It ended up that the password to unlock the phone's home screen at the time of the backup did the trick (same one you enter when you turn your phone on). Hopefully that works for you.

CoCCoC2 wrote:

It ended up that the password to unlock the phone's home screen at the time of the backup did the trick (same one you enter when you turn your phone on). Hopefully that works for you.

The password to the back up is only the same as the password to your phone if you explicitly chose the same one. It doesn't have to be. They aren't linked.

Glad you remember yours.