Partial Iphone Backup Restore (please help!)

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Level 1

9 points

Partial Iphone Backup Restore (please help!)

So I am trying to restore an old backup from my last Iphone. The backup's size is 22GB but my new iphone's capacity is 16GB. The error message reads:

"Itunes could not restore the Iphone...because not enough free space is available on the Iphone"

Now I have like 2,100 photos on that backup and I'd love to leave them behind. Is it possible to do a partial restore? (e.g. pick and choose what to restore?) If so, where do I go to get this started?

I found the backup folder in my computer but all the files are named like "7a9beaa798c12249a525ee3db213c08b418cd177" so I can't tell what is what.

Thanks for the help. I hope I can get this sorted. I'm really worried. 😟

iPhone 5s

Posted on May 13, 2014 5:47 PM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,267 points

May 13, 2014 5:50 PM in response to Shin_Mitsugi

You cannot restore a partial backup. When restoring with iTunes or iCloud the restore is either all or none. If you would like to see about backup extraction software, you can see what you might find. You could also just sync back your data individually, like just your contacts, or just your calendar from the computer or iCloud. You should have them in other places than just the backup.

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Answer 2

Shin_Mitsugi Author

Level 1

9 points

May 13, 2014 6:03 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Really I just want the APP data. I don't care about anything else. Can I just sync back the App data so that I have that restored? I've got a few video games and a few other apps whose data I would love not to lose.

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,267 points

May 13, 2014 6:34 PM in response to Shin_Mitsugi

No, you cannot. That is what can happen when one gets a new device with less capacity than the old one. I'm not even sure that you could extract the game data from the backup and move it to the new device anyway.

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Answer 4

Shin_Mitsugi Author

Level 1

9 points

May 13, 2014 7:55 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

I just had an idea.

Step 1: Go buy a 32GB iphone from Gamestop.

Step 2: Backup 22gb data onto new phone.

Step 3: Delete a ton of the unimportant data form the phone and create a new backup.

Step 4: Restore this new, reduced size backup to my actual phone.

Step 5: Return other phone to gamestop under 7 day return policy.

Done.

Think it'll work?

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Answer 5

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,267 points

May 14, 2014 12:03 PM in response to Shin_Mitsugi

It is possible that would work. Again, even with the backup extractor, you do not have access to the file system on the phone to copy the game data back to the phone. I've never tried to restore a phone of larger capacity to a phone of smaller capacity. Someone here might have tried that before and could answer that question, but I believe it is a gamble.

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Answer 6

Shin_Mitsugi Author

Level 1

9 points

May 13, 2014 7:37 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

I found this website, http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com/help-howto-and-support/. They have a software that is used to extract data from backup files. Do you think this migh work??

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