iTunes can't detect mklink backups

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Level 1

8 points

iTunes can't detect mklink backups

Hi,

I have managed to use the mklink method to relocated my iTunes backup folder to another drive. It works and I can see the backup folder created in the new drive during my iPhone backup process.

However, iTunes does not automatically detect the created backup. Under the "Latest Backup" information, it says

"Your iPhone has never been backed up to this computer."

May I know if this is normal?

Does that means that if I want to perform a restore in the future, I would need to

1) delete the mklink;

2) re-create the backup folder in my old drive; and

3) copy the backup files from my new drive back to my old drive?

Thanks,

Noel

iPhone 7, iOS 10.3.2

Posted on Jun 16, 2017 12:04 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,329 points

Jun 16, 2017 1:36 PM in response to NoelWo

Were there backups listed in the library before you implemented the junction?

Has a backup folder been created in E:\backup\linked itunes backup?

It may or may not matter that the target folder has a different folder name.

The steps I use are given at Relocate iOS device backups.

I'm not aware of a change but I will check when I get home.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,329 points

Jun 16, 2017 12:44 PM in response to NoelWo

I have tested this process in the past and it has worked for both the backup and restore phases, with any backups made being listed under Edit > Preferences > Devices. Was the backup allowed to run to completion? Which folder did you redirect? iTunes has been know to delete links made inside the media folder so some of its file/folder creating routines are likely not safe with symbolic links.

Which build of iTunes are you running?

tt2

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Answer 3

NoelWo Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 16, 2017 1:10 PM in response to turingtest2

Yes, the backup ran to completion. No backup is listed in Edit > Preferences > Devices.

I used the following command in the mobilesync folder after re-naming the original "Backup" folder to "oldBackup":

mklink /J "%APPDATA%\Apple Computer\mobilesync\backup" "E:\backup\linked itunes backup"

iTunes 12.6.1.25

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Answer 4

NoelWo Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 16, 2017 9:23 PM in response to turingtest2

Yes, they were listed all along until I moved the folder away.

A backup folder corresponding to my device was created in E:\backup\linked itunes backup by iTunes after the backup process. So everything looks to be working just fine.

It's strange that iTunes cannot detect the same backup file in target folder after it was created.

Should I re-do the mklink? For that, do I just delete the shortcut that was created in the MobileSync folder?

Thanks tt2!

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,329 points

Jun 17, 2017 8:12 AM in response to NoelWo

NoelWo wrote:

Should I re-do the mklink? For that, do I just delete the shortcut that was created in the MobileSync folder?

It might help to remake it. Yes, you can delete the shortcut. In my case I moved the original folder to D:\Backup\MobileSync\Backup and linked with the command:

MkLink /J "%AppData%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\Backup\MobileSync\Backup"

So all my previous backups remained available.

tt2

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