How to Create an Archived iTunes Backup

[MacRumors]

Regularly creating iCloud or iTunes backups should be routine for every iOS user, but if you want to upgrade to a beta version of iOS or if you think you might want to downgrade shortly after installing a new iOS update, you'll want to make sure create an archived iTunes backup beforehand.

An archived iTunes backup is essential because it saves the current state of your iOS device and prevents it from being accidentally overwritten by subsequent backups. Apple recommends all public beta testers create an archived backup before installing a beta in case something goes wrong and a restore is needed. Here's how to do it.


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Article Link: How to Create an Archived iTunes Backup

 

[jclo]

I realize this how to may be something that a lot of people already know and creating an archived backup is nothing new, but we're publishing it now to fill in some gaps in our existing how to coverage.

It'll be useful to people who aren't familiar with creating archived backups and it's specifically being added for future use in other how tos where an archived backup is a requirement, like this one: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/how-to-download-ios-beta/

You'll see a few other how tos like this here and there with the same disclaimer.

 

[darcyf]

Is this something that can be used to revert back to the iOS version you archived at if you're subsequently unhappy with an upgrade?

e.g. My iPad 2 is on iOS 6. Can I archive backup now, upgrade to iOS 9, and then if I find the performance hit unacceptable revert back to iOS 6 via the archived backup?

 

[Rorosbutt]

Does this backup photos as well? I really enjoying using iCloud and how it puts literally everything back the way it was.

 

[Carvensno]

Is this something that can be used to revert back to the iOS version you archived at if you're subsequently unhappy with an upgrade?

e.g. My iPad 2 is on iOS 6. Can I archive backup now, upgrade to iOS 9, and then if I find the performance hit unacceptable revert back to iOS 6 via the archived backup?

Nope because Apple isn't signing iOS 6 anymore. Backup is only for your stuff on the phone, ie... Texting, contacts, music, pics, apps, and etc...not the OS.

 

[jclo]

Is this something that can be used to revert back to the iOS version you archived at if you're subsequently unhappy with an upgrade?

e.g. My iPad 2 is on iOS 6. Can I archive backup now, upgrade to iOS 9, and then if I find the performance hit unacceptable revert back to iOS 6 via the archived backup?

Only so long as Apple is signing the update. Apple doesn't sign software for very long following a new version of iOS so the window for downgrading is pretty small.

 

[nagromme]

Cool! I had no idea there were right click options there.

Although I tend to manually duplicate the backup (from the MobileSync folder in the hidden Library) to an external drive I nstead. That way my Time Machine only has to deal with the one file.

And of course Time Machine itself keeps its own archived history as well. Turn on Time Machine and you have a way to revert your iOS devices--with a little digging to find MobileSync.

Does this backup photos as well? I really enjoying using iCloud and how it puts literally everything back the way it was.

Yes. Even saved passwords, as long as you chose Encrypted.

 

[Cougarcat]

I wish this was more discoverable in the UI, or Apple prompted you to do it before you install a beta. I'm currently stuck without my backups because I'm waiting on a version of 9.3 with the error 53 fix.

 

[lironl]

Thanks for clarifying that the instructions don't work on a PC. However, at the beginning of the article it mentions that the instructions are for Mac adn PC, so could you please clear this up.

Could you please also give us more complete instructions on how to archive a backup on a PC? For example, the location of the backup folder and/or how to rename it (e.g. do you just rename the folder or change a setting in iTunes)?

I'm not entirely sure that archived backups aren't possible on a PC. I have an archived backup on my PC together with a date and time, and some non archived backups. Perhaps this happens automatically if you restore your device to an earlier state then back up (e.g. if you back up a new iPhone, then restore it from an older iPhone, does the new iPhone backup gets archived).

 

[jack daniels]

Thanks for clarifying that the instructions don't work on a PC. However, at the beginning of the article it mentions that the instructions are for Mac adn PC, so could you please clear this up.

Could you please also give us more complete instructions on how to archive a backup on a PC? For example, the location of the backup folder and/or how to rename it (e.g. do you just rename the folder or change a setting in iTunes)?

I'm not entirely sure that archived backups aren't possible on a PC. I have an archived backup on my PC together with a date and time, and some non archived backups. Perhaps this happens automatically if you restore your device to an earlier state then back up (e.g. if you back up a new iPhone, then restore it from an older iPhone, does the new iPhone backup gets archived).

iTunes for Windows doesn't contain anything in the UI for archiving iTunes backups, which is why it's not included in this guide. You can manually archive backups on Windows by moving the backup itself to somewhere other than the default directory. Depending on your version of Windows, this varies.

Find and Manage your iTunes backups
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204215

The backups in the default directory will be named the UDID of the device that created them. Simply drag the folder to an external drive or wherever you back up your files, and when it's time to restore, move them back into the default directory and it will be available in iTunes to restore from.

 

[naeS1Sean]

I realize this how to may be something that a lot of people already know and creating an archived backup is nothing new, but we're publishing it now to fill in some gaps in our existing how to coverage.

It'll be useful to people who aren't familiar with creating archived backups and it's specifically being added for future use in other how tos where an archived backup is a requirement, like this one: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/how-to-download-ios-beta/

You'll see a few other how tos like this here and there with the same disclaimer.

I love this article and all the articles you do like it. Even though it's often basic stuff, it's nice to affirm and also see if I missed some obvious things. Thank you!

 

[rigormortis]

i haven't checked recently. but it used to be that passwords ( the secure keychain ) were only restored to the device they were backed up from. and if you wanted that keychain restored to a different device, then you needed backup encryption.


wifi passwords aren't really saved / copied using iCloud keychain, so you really should be using itunes to backup your iPhone

 

[applepuree]

This isn't backing up iTunes. Maybe i am missing something here but this should be entitled
"How to Create an Archived IOS Backup"

 

[vdot90]

I recently did a clean reset of my iPhone and it was an incredibly frustrating experience. Tried restoring from both my iTunes backup as well as iCloud and for some reason they each came with shortcoming...

iTunes Backup: For whatever reason it does not restore my Health information, which included months (years) of data.

iCloud Backup: Besides taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r, it also messed up Siri in that it wouldn't recognize any of its own internal apps (So I couldn't do "Play Artist" or "Open Maps".) The fix for that was to log everything out (iCloud, iTunes & App Store), turn off Siri, restart iPhone, and log back in.

I don't know if it's just my experience, though when I Googled for solutions it sounds like it's a relatively known issue. I miss the days when Apple products actually "just work".

 

[MacKid1983]

HOW do I recover a archived backup that I think I deleted out of iTunes? It's not in my trash on my Macbook. I accident;y deleted it and now I am fkd because I want to go back and stop using ios 10 beta.