I am attempting to restore my iPhone which was last backup this morning. When I enter my password, I get an error message stating that my password is incorrect. That can't possibly be right. In fact, I just entered my password to get access to Apple Support.
iPhone 4S, iOS 7
I fixed this problem. I never set my iphone backups to be encrypted. But after ios7 upgrade, iTunes kept prompting me for a password to restore my iphone backup (argggg!).
I tried my Apple ID password: No.
I tried my MacOS "user" password: No.
Tried my iphone's unlock passcode: No.
Then I found a video on youtube that gave me a big hint. Video is called "After Updating iPhone to iOS 7 How to Restore iTunes Backup Password".
This told me there is a SEPARATE "iTunes backup password" that iTunes must have prompted me to set a long time ago.
So I tried a bunch of passwords I have used in the past, and after about 5 tries, I typed the matching password and the restore started and completed.
The video claims there's a program to recover the "itunes backup pw", but I didn't need to go there (since I eventually got a match).
It is the encrypted backup password. You obviously reused your 4-digit restrictions passcode when you set it up. Someone else could have used any of their other common passwords, or something unique. The main problem with this feature is that you can set it up and then not need the password for several years, making it much more likely that you'll forget your unforgettable password. There is also no direct reset mechanism, however backup to iCloud and restore seems to be a reasonable workaround.
tt2
This is a user to user support forum. Apple don't generally participate although there is a small team that may post links to support documents where applicable. If you've barely used your additional iCloud storage capacity, and no longer need it, you could approach Apple Support for a pro-rata refund. While I agree it would be much more convenient if your Apple ID could always be used to lock or unlock backup encryption the system works as advertised.
tt2
I had the same issue and tried every password on this list and that I could think of... I was totally at wit's end after 2 days and finally had my boyfriend start trying his passwords just in case (we do family sharing). Turned out MY iPhone backup was locked by HIS iTunes password on MY computer. He has never backed up his phone or used his iTunes account on my computer and vice versa... That is just strange. Good thing we are still a couple and hope this helps others!!!
Like others have said.... Try every password you can and don't forget anyone else's passwords with family sharing!
Your phone MUST have iOS 11 or higher.
Nope, you MUST have a backup in iCloud that you can restore after the reset, and of course some way of getting back any media or data that isn't stored in iCloud. More detailed advice can be found in Disable iOS backup encryption.
tt2
DustyHunt - Thanks so much for posting - I tried every password I could think of that I've used in the last 8 years and nothing worked. I reset all the settings, backed up again and - FINALLY, success.
So that worked at a cost, little cost in cash, massive in time. now i have to reset my iwatch to get it to pair. last investment in apple after 5-6 generations.
feck feels like xmas again setting up my iwatch, 8 hours all in and i am tech savvy most by now now would have decide i have lost them memories and started from scratch...not good enough apple
Why it say that my apple ID password is incorrect?
I can't restore my iPhone to a new iPhone 7 because it wants my pass
This worked for me... as soon as I remembered my first password from iTunes, my backup started to download.
Restoring Backup - Incorrect Password
