Password incorrect when restoring from backup

I had this same problem and tried many solutions, old passwords, admin password, etc. without success. Then I saw this thread on iMore, and it worked! Basically, go to your keychain and look for iPhone backup. Click "show password" and then you will probably have to type in your admin password (for the whole computer). Then you will see the password you are seeking. Cut and paste this pw into the iTunes password request window. Boom! At least it worked for me.

Here is the thread I found:

1. Open Keychain Access, found in /Applications/Utilities/
2. Use the Search box in the upper right corner and type "iphone backup"
3. When you see that long number where it says "Account", make sure it matches your device by going under your connected device in iTunes, and clicking a few times where it says Serial Number (FYI this is your UDID number)
4. Double click the result, assuming something is found in Keychain
5. Check the box next to "Show password" and enter the Mac administrator password to find password for keychain file iTunes backup.

Sometimes the simplest works best...

Tried a few things then rebooted computer with iphone connected. Unplugged phone after restart, unlocked phone, plugged in and....no more password request. Updated to new iphone software automatically then synced automatically...

Thanks

First, reboot your computer. Sometimes the request for a password is mistaken and rebooting will clear it. Then connect the phone and click on its name in iTunes. Is "Encrypt backup" checked? If it is then at some time in the past (and it could have been 6 years ago if you had an iPhone then) the box was checked and a password was entered. Or you have a corporate MS Exchange email account and your IT Administrator required that the backup be encrypted.

Either way you have to figure out the password. Try unchecking "encrypt backup". It will prompt for a password. Make an educated guess. It is a password that you have used at some time in the past. (Unchecking the box is a faster way of guessing than trying to restore.)

There is no other way to restore that backup, unless you have maintained iCloud backups. These do not require or allow passwords, because they are already encrypted with your Apple ID password.

If you are desperate there is a commercial product that can break SOME backup passwords if they are not too strong. Visit elcomsoft.com for more information. This tool is intended for law enforcement use, and is priced accordingly, however, they have a trial version that will give you the first two characters of the password.

The password for the iPhone's backup is not created automatically with one exception. The password for the backup must be entered twice for verification.

The exception would be if you are accessing a company provided exchange account that requires the backup for the iPhone being encrypted/password-protected.

If encrypt backup is not checked have you rebooted your computer? If it still comes up asking for a backup password the backup is corrupted. Are you sure it is asking for a backup password, and not the lock code that you would enter on the phone?

Thank you Lawrence Finch, I used elcomsoft.com which told me the first two charcters were numbers and the total length of the password... I immediately knew what the passKEY was... The same passkey I used for the iPad 2 years ago... NOT an iTunes or Windows passwords.

THANK YOU

Which free trial?