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Ipad Backup file location on Mac?

I've read the forums and tried going to the (user)/library/application support/mobilesync folder but the mobile sync folder doesn't exist in my application support folder. Is there another location other than that where itunes stores the backups on a Mac?

Posted on Apr 30, 2012 7:21 PM

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35 replies

May 16, 2012 8:34 PM in response to rugbyhubby

rugbyhubby wrote:


I also can't find the backup folder within finder. I've tried deleting backups via itunes preferences and that doesn't seem to remove the backup.

If they are deleted with iTunes and you cannot see them in the Finder, how do you know they are not removed?


looking in finder I don't have the 'mobilesync' folder w/in library/applicationsupport.

Are you looking on your Home folder?

Finder, hold Option then Go menu > Library.

Application Support > MobileSync

May 17, 2012 6:32 PM in response to Chris CA

Chris - apologies - after posting this i continued searching and found out how to make the folder/files visible. So I've found the folder but now have multiple files and aren't sure which to delete.


In answer to your first question, if I go into iTunes, devices, delete the backup, say OK and then recheck, the backup is there again.


Within the backup directory I have numerous files, none of which match (date) to my backup. I have numerous devices backing up (2 ipads, 2 iphones, 1 itouch, 1 ipod and old backups from prior iphones). The backups have multipler folders each with a many character name (b215e2d....27dfa). I thought perhaps it tied to the s/n of the unit but that doesn't seem to work.


Any ideas? Having an issue where my iPad won't back up - items will sync but the ipad won't backup when connected.


thanks...bill

May 19, 2012 10:42 AM in response to rugbyhubby

RESOLUTION! 1) I needed to run a terminal command to show hidden files w/in finder. Once that was done I could find the directory necessary w/in my Home folder (~library/application support/mobilesync/backup).

2) I had to determine which back up folder represented my ipad. This was a guess as I have multiple devices syncing (2 ipads, 2 iphones, 2 ipods plus old phones, etc.) I looked for the folder that had the update date most similar to the last date the ipad backup was referenced in itunes. I had to do two before I found the correct one.


I could NOT get the backup deleted w/in itunes so needed to find it this way.


thanks to everyone that helped even though this wasnt my original thread.

bill

May 19, 2012 11:06 AM in response to rugbyhubby

You don't need to (and really shouldn't) make the hidden files visible. There are few reasons to be digging around in the ~/Library/ folder, especially if you don't know even how to get in there.


And I already showed you how to view this folder.

Finder, hold Option then Go menu > Library.

Then go to ~/Library/Application Support > MobileSync

May 19, 2012 12:59 PM in response to Chris CA

hi chris - i couldn't get that to work (but have since figured out how). I also entered the terminal command to turn this off. I realize what could be seen/altered there but needed a way to find this. bottom line, to be clear, Chris is absolutely right and you shouldn't use the terminal command as you could delete information that could harm things overall.


To find your iTunes backup (and for my reference in the future!)

-launch finder

- hold the Option (alt) key on the keyboard

- choose Go from the finder menu and you'll see Library

- choose library and then navigate to Application Support and then MobileSync and then Backup.

- your iTunes backup folders will be located there.


tx...bill

Oct 6, 2012 4:23 PM in response to Marc-P

Marc-P wrote:


tray this :


Macintosh HD > (Username) > Documents > (Username) > Library > Application > MobileSync > Backup

There is no such location.

The correct location is Macintosh HD/Users/(username)/Library/Application Support/MobileSync.


And note that (with 10.7 and later) you cannot simply go to ~/Library/ because it is a hidden folder.

Apr 16, 2013 8:45 PM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA wrote:


There is no such location.

The correct location is Macintosh HD/Users/(username)/Library/Application Support/MobileSync.


And note that (with 10.7 and later) you cannot simply go to ~/Library/ because it is a hidden folder.

You couldn't just say that in your first post? Unbelievable.


And now again you have to hold back and feel mighty powerfull.


Yes you can very simply go to that folder. On Finder's menu bar, click Go, hold down Option key and you will see Library show up in the Go menu, click it, a Finder window will open and you will be in the Library folder. Just make sure you know what you're doing cause you can end up deleting important files.

Ipad Backup file location on Mac?

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