Why is iTunes backing up my photos?

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Level 1

8 points

Why is iTunes backing up my photos?

According to the instructions for backups of iPhones and iPads using iTunes (About backups for iOS devices - Apple Support), the iTunes backup does NOT back up photos synced from my PC. Yet when I look at the files in the backup folders I see numerous files that appear to be the size of photo files and when I open them with Windows Photo Viewer it turns out many if not all of my photos are backup up in these folder.

I don't really want or need this duplication of backups to occur as it slows things down and uses unnecessary disc space. I have my photos secure and don't need this extra backup, plus, when I've done restores, it always has to resync the photos from the PC anyway, so I'm wondering why these files are being backed up.

Is this an error in the directions, or some sort of bug in the iTunes backup routine?

iPhone 5s, iOS 11.2.6, Windows 10 with iTunes 12.7.3.46

Posted on Feb 24, 2018 2:44 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

272,832 points

Feb 24, 2018 3:05 PM in response to rexm33

rexm33 wrote:

According to the instructions for backups of iPhones and iPads using iTunes (About backups for iOS devices - Apple Support), the iTunes backup does NOT back up photos synced from my PC.

This is precisely what is stated in the article you referenced:

"An iTunes backup doesn't include:

...

Photos already stored in the cloud, like My Photo Stream, and iCloud Photo Library"

___________

The article never addresses whether photos synced from your PC are backed up.

In fact, photos that you have in Camera Roll are backed up. If you're finished with these photos in Camera Roll, in other words, if they've already been captured and moved to someplace on your PC, then delete them from Camera Roll.

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Answer 2

rexm33 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 27, 2018 1:26 PM in response to sberman

Your answer is not correct, you didn't reference the line in the article I'm referring too.

This article states -

"An iTunes backup doesn't include:

...

Content synced from iTunes, like imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos"

My camera roll is empty. I keep it empty all the time and move my photos to my PC library where I resync what I want. Then when I back up my iPhone or iPad using a local (not iCloud) backup, my photos are backed up even though the article states otherwise. It correctly states that no music is backed up, I don't see any there, but I know my photos are backed up.

Thanks,

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Answer 3

rexm33 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 27, 2018 6:02 PM in response to sberman

Thanks for the reply, but grammatically it doesn't read that way to me and I don't agree that the intent of the instructions is for the "current sync". If that was the case, I would think that instruction would be written to refer to the current sync in some way. Also, there should be music files in the backups and I don't see those (most of mine are imports from CD's although not technically MP3 files).

One more point, all the other references to this question I've seen on the internet make the same inference, that files sync'd from my PC are not backed up regardless of whether it's from the current or past syncs. Only files in the camera roll are backed up. Point being that if you have to restore, you risk losing those photos, although you can normally resync. And to my question again, why are they backed up if you have to resync anyway when you restore (and yes, I've done that before). There's no point backing those up unless they are in the camera roll, it just duplicates files and takes extra time to run a backup.

Just trying to understand these backups a bit better and why they are so large. Was considering switching to iCloud backups, but I definitely don't want or need my photos backed up there (and certainly don't want to pay for space I don't need). I just need enough to get my phone or iPad restored if it breaks or I get a new one - I don't mind resyncing photos and music, that works fine.

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Answer 4

sberman

Level 10

272,832 points

Feb 27, 2018 1:47 PM in response to rexm33

rexm33 wrote:

This article states -

"An iTunes backup doesn't include:

...

Content synced from iTunes, like imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos"

The important point here is that the backup will not include photos which are synced from iTunes. (So presumably photos that are not synced from iTunes are included in the backup.)

rexm33 wrote:

My camera roll is empty. I keep it empty all the time and move my photos to my PC library where I resync what I want.

The important point here is that you are syncing some, but not all your photos on a specific use of iTunes which creates a backup. So presumably those photos that are not being synced this time are being backed up.

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Why is iTunes backing up my photos?

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