how can I restore iphone backup from external hard drive

Hi,

I know this is a couple months late, but just in case anyone else needs this info I thought I'd share it here. I updated my iphone 5s to iOS 9, but am still running snow leopard on my mac (which means I can't download the newest itunes and can't restore from my computer). I was able to successfully find my last backup file (in Library->Application Support->Mobile Sync) and copy the folder onto an external hard drive. I then transferred the entire folder from my external hard drive onto my friend's laptop (who has the newest version of itunes) and pasted it into their Mobile Sync folder.

Now this part is key, before you connect your device go to Itunes->Preferences->Devices and click the box next to "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically" This let iTunes find your device, but not automatically start a sync with a different apple ID. Go to the summary page and click on restore from backup (in the middle section on the right), the back up that you manually added should appear (at least it did for me!). Then when it says your device is restarting, it will appear again in itunes in a minute, disconnect it from the computer and follow the directions to update on the device. (it asked me if i wanted to allow some of the new features etc.)

Another important note, it didn't download all of the apps that I had on the phone before (maybe because my friend doesn't use them, I'm not sure) but I was able to restore all my data by re-downloading them manually on the iphone from the app store (go to the Updates tab, click on purchased, then choose "not on this device"). After I re-downloaded them, all of my stored date was still there (chats in whatsapp, saved settings and preferences, etc.)

I am not at all an expert, but it took me literally 8 hrs and a lot of frustration to figure this out, so I hope this post might help spare someone else from going through the same!

Try this:

Do a new backup using iTunes on the now recovered PC. Go to Preferences / Devices and locate the new backup in the list. Right-click to access the Show… option to determine exactly where the backups are getting stored. Quit iTunes and disconnect the device. Now copy the desired backup from the external drive to the location you discovered. Start iTunes up again, visit the Preferences / Devices pane and see if it recognizes the backup you placed there (hover the cursor over the entry and a popup should display the device's intimate details). From there it should presumably make it available as a Restore alternative.

(Note: I'm on a Mac and don't use iTunes on Windows, but have used the OS X version extensively)

Hi there,

i am also trying to restore an iphone from a backup on an external hard drive. my only issue with your solution above is that i cannot put the backup back onto my mac's hard drive because there is not enough room. not sure if it is possible to restore directly from my hard drive and i am not very familiar with my macbook yet, any help would be appreciated!!

Hi

Backup should be in iCloud

Since ios7 when you charge iPhone / ipad

It should backup to iCloud over your wifi automatically

Go to settings iCloud check date of last backup .

Cheers

Brian