By Jennifer | Last Updated
iTunes backups are a lifesaver when it comes to preserving your data, ensuring you can recover it in the event of device loss, damage, or malfunction. However, accessing specific files or extracting data from these backups can be a bit challenging, especially since Apple doesn’t offer a straightforward way to view or extract individual files from an iTunes backup. In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step methods to efficiently extract data from iTunes backups.
1. Want to view what have saved in iTunes backup.
2. Mistakenly deleted contacts, SMS, photos videos etc from iDevices and now need to recover them.
3. iDevices are water-damaged, broken or stolen, and now you want to get back data ever saved in iDevices.
Before diving into the extraction process, it’s essential to understand what an iTunes backup includes and how it’s stored:
iTunes creates a comprehensive backup of your iOS device, including photos, videos, contacts, call history, messages, app data, and settings. However, it excludes certain items like iCloud content, Apple Pay data, and Touch ID settings.
On a Mac or Windows PC, iTunes backups are stored locally in a hidden directory. The typical locations are:
Encrypted backups offer enhanced security by protecting sensitive information. Accessing data from encrypted backups requires the backup password.
Since iTunes doesn’t allow direct access to backup content, third-party tools are often the go-to solution for extracting data. These tools let you browse, preview, and recover individual files from iTunes backups.
Preparation:
iSunshare iOS Data Genius provides a user-friendly interface to browse and extract data from iTunes backups. It supports messages, photos, contacts, and more.
Note: This works only when iTunes backup file is not encrypted. If iTunes backup is encrypted with password you don't know, please recover iTunes backup password at first and then remove encryption in iTunes.
After iOS Data Genius runs on Windows computer where stores iTunes backup you need to extract data from, click the "Recover from iTunes Backup File" at the top side.
Then you will see a list of iTunes backup files, displaying the Device Name, Last Backup Date and Serial Number.According to the device name and backup date, choose the proper iTunes backup from list you want to extract data from, and click on "Start Scan" button.
Minutes later, you can browse all the data in the iTunes backup file. Click the data type from the left pane, and this kind of data will be shown in the right window.
As you see, photos, videos, contacts, messages, call history, notes, reminder, voice memos, and safari bookmard etc can be viewed and extracted from iTunes backup file.
1. Now just check and choose the data you want to extract from iTunes backup file on the left pane, and click "Recover" button at the bottom side. On following pop-up dialog, choose a folder to save the data you wish to extract.
2. Instantly, a dialog would appear and show you that all the data you choose have been extracted successfully from iTunes backup file and exported to your PC.
Extracting data from an iTunes backup doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right tools and a clear understanding of the process, you can recover photos, messages, app data, and more without hassle.
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