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Level 1

23 points

how to NOT backup when sync, or how to disable the pointless backups complete?

how do I switch off or disable backup of my iphone/ipod/ipad when I want to sync a song in itunes?

I would never want to back up my device. I have 40GB of music etc on my iphone WHICH IS ALREADY IN ITUNES ON MY COMPUTER! Why would I want to waste 40GB of disk space duplicating it on the same device? All my apps are in the cloud. all my passwords are in lastpass. all my contacts are in hotmail. There is no conceivable reason for backing up my iphone except to waste momentous amounts of space and time.

So is there any way to switch it off?

If not, and I have to wait 30 minutes to add a single tune to my phone because it always insists on a redundant backup first, is there any way to at least delete the back up, right after its made? Other wise I will fill my SSD very quickly.

Or is there any way to get music onto the iphone without having to do a backukp? I find itunes totally unintuitive and simplifying syncing a tune to the phone requires hours of googling and simply dragging the music from library on the pc to the device doesn't do anything.

iPhone 6s, iOS 10.3.3, null

Posted on Sep 17, 2017 5:57 AM

Best reply

Outernationalist

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Oct 21, 2017 11:17 AM

chris_g1 thats alot of text there and you've not actually answered the guys question. Better to say "it can't be done" or I'll check in to it". Think about the times you've had computer issues - you don't want to read War and Peace, you want answers right?

Try pasting this and hitting return in your Terminal.app @bilbobobbin

defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true

PEople have been asking how they can simply sync music from iTunes to iPhone without the backup process taking place first. Thats all. Thats it. Not iCloud backup, not automatically backing up when the phone is connected - just the annoying wait for a backup process before iTunes will sync over the music.

Its so bloody basic a question but I can't for the life of me figure out why Apple don't have a checkbox. Yes you can click the cancel button but then iTunes just sits there as if it hasn't acknowledged the click. I end up clicking it like 10 times just incase - poor user experience.

WHY DOES THE IPHONE HAVE TO BACKUP BEFORE IT WILL SYNC OVER MY MUSIC??? IT IS WASTING MY TIME WHEN I NEED TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. <--- thats the problem.

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23 replies

Mar 3, 2018 4:10 PM in response to KevinLDFW

Everyone else? You’re not with me, that’s for sure. I love iCloud backup and wouldn’t be without it.

Just follow the the detailed directions Lawrence posted and you won’t backup ever. But then please don’t ever come crying if your phone crashes and all your data is lost.

zain116

Level 1

4 points

Mar 14, 2018 2:01 AM in response to bilbobobbin

YOU JUST HAVE TO DO 1 STEP ...!

when the backup start ..

==> open task manager(ctrl+alt+delete)

==> open "Processes tab"

==> find "AppleMobileBackup.exe"

==> click on it an then click "End process"

after this the back stops and you are good to go with your sync !

shacho

Level 1

18 points

Feb 1, 2018 2:05 PM in response to bilbobobbin

Good news! This is possible.

iTunes Settings -> Devices -> Uncheck prevent from syncing automatically.

This will stop iTunes from backing up - full stop.

Feb 1, 2018 2:12 PM in response to shacho

shacho wrote:

Good news! This is possible.

As has been explained several times in this thread already. But I guess once more, 4 months after the original post, doesn’t do any harm.

Feb 1, 2018 3:41 PM in response to Hepcat B

Good point.

shacho

Level 1

18 points

Feb 1, 2018 4:40 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I believe you. But curiously I couldn't find any reference to this method in the thread (even on a second check just now). Perhaps I'm still overlooking it.

Feb 1, 2018 4:58 PM in response to shacho

You are the only one to show that checkbox. A plus. But the command link examples do the same thing. And your example blocks all automatic sync features, not just backups.

shacho

Level 1

18 points

Feb 1, 2018 7:30 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Oh - good to know! Thanks for that.

how to NOT backup when sync, or how to disable the pointless backups complete?