Can I delete old MobileSync Backup files?

I've noticed that the folder on my Mac Library>Application Support>MobileSync>Backup has some files that have not been changed in over a year. The folder also contains files that correspond (by time stamp) to my recent backups of my iPhone and iPad.


Is it safe to delete the old files?

iPhone 7, iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Aug 20, 2017 5:27 PM

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Posted on Aug 20, 2017 5:38 PM

Yes, but the best way to do it is with iTunes. Open iTunes Preferences, Devices tab, select the backups to delete and click the Delete button. iOS backups are incremental; only changes are saved, so some of those old files may have current data. But by using iTunes it will know what is safe to delete.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 20, 2017 5:38 PM in response to DonGoldberg

Yes, but the best way to do it is with iTunes. Open iTunes Preferences, Devices tab, select the backups to delete and click the Delete button. iOS backups are incremental; only changes are saved, so some of those old files may have current data. But by using iTunes it will know what is safe to delete.

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Can I delete old MobileSync Backup files?

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