By Jennifer | Last Updated
Have you ever needed to access your iTunes backup but didn’t have your iPhone handy? You might want to check contacts, messages, photos, or other data stored in your backup without restoring it to a device. In this article, we’ll show you how to access and view iTunes backups directly on your computer without the need for an iPhone.
iTunes stores backups locally on your computer. Here’s how to find them:
On Windows, open File Explorer and head to: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
On Mac, open Finder and go to ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Suppose your iPhone/iPad/iPod has been backed up via iTunes, now iTunes backup just should be saved on your computer. Go to the iTunes backup location on Mac or Windows computer, and you will find it but unfortunately you cannot directly view content in the backup file because the compiled binaries are not readable on computer. So you need a professional backup extract program to identify such code format. Fortunately, iSunshare iOS Data Genius just provides an easy way to access, view and extract contents from iTunes backup file on computer without iPhone/iPad/iPod.
Note:
Before running iSunshare iOS Data Genius to access and view iTunes backup file on computer, please make sure the iTunes backup is not encrypted. If it is encrypted with password you don't know, please get iSunshare iTunes Password Genius to recover it at first. Compared to directly removing iTunes backup password after forgot, recovering password would be better because you will never forget the password.
Step 1: Install and run iSunshare iOS Data Genius on Windows computer.
If your iTunes backup is saved on Mac, just copy it to save on Windows computer.
Step 2: Select the second way "Recover from iTunes Backup File".
"Recover from iTunes Backup File" is the way that you can easily view and extract the data from iTunes backup without devices in hand.
Step 3: Choose the proper iTunes backup file from list.
Generally, there will be lots of iTunes backup files listed. According to the device name and backup date, choose the proper iTunes backup to access and view. If you find what you have chosen is wrong, just go back to this step and choose another one you think it is right.
Step 4: Access and view iTunes backup file on program.
Once you choose iTunes backup file, and click on Start Scan, you will successfully access and view all the data backed up in iTunes backup file, such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, call history, notes, voice memos, safari bookmark etc. For example, when you select the "Videos" in the left pane, you can view all the videos in the right side.
Step 5: Extract iTunes backup data and view them on computer without software.
1. If you want to keep iTunes backup file viewable when closing iOS Data Genius, now you need to select all of the data and click on Recover button to save all of them on your computer.
2. Once they are saved on the computer or other removal devices, you can access and view them at any time or transfer to iPhone/iPad/iPod.
1. Can You Open an iTunes Backup Directly?
Unfortunately, iTunes backups are not stored in readable formats. The files are encrypted or organized in a proprietary structure, making it difficult to view or access without specialized tools.
2. How can i view iphone backup files?
You can go to where the iTunes backup file save to view them. But they cannot be opened directly.
3. Can I restore individual files , such as photos, from an iTunes backup?
iTunes itself doesn’t allow selective restoration, but third-party tools, such as iSunshare iOS Data Genius, can help extract specific files.
Accessing and viewing iTunes backups without an iPhone is straightforward with the right tools and techniques. Whether you’re using a third-party tool like iSunshare iOS Data Genius or manually exploring backup files, you can retrieve your data easily.
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