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iPhone backups clogging my hard drive....

jgw1283

jgw1283

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 6, 2007
153
2
Tempe, AZ
I want to delete some of my iphone backups because everytime I back it up, gigs of space are gone and its getting frustrating. Where are these files kept? Can I delete them from itunes?
 
open iTunes > click on edit at the top (right next to file) > preferences> then click the device tab you will see your list of back ups there delete the ones you don't want
 
jgw, That doesn't sound right. Each time you backup, it should write over your previous backup. You should only have one backup per iOS device backed up.
 
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vizkiz said:
jgw, That doesn't sound right. Each time you backup, it should write over your previous backup. You should only have one backup per iOS device backed up.
Click to expand...

True. I did a lot of backups, and there is no problem at all with my computer.
 
maybe you guys with only one back up are using Macs? I'm using a PC and I can always see the last three back ups and the date and time they were created
 
SAD*FACED*CLOWN said:
maybe you guys with only one back up are using Macs? I'm using a PC and I can always see the last three back ups and the date and time they were created
Click to expand...

I'm on a Mac, and I see the 3 most recent backups as well. So, hmmmmmm:confused: now I am curious, hahaha
 
I can see about a list of over 10 backups dating back a year. So its possible to have lots saved up I suppose. However, in that time I've had 2 3gs's and 2 iphone 4's due to replacements due to hardware malfunctions. So it might be saving extra back ups because of its unique serial.
 
spikefood said:
I can see about a list of over 10 backups dating back a year. So its possible to have lots saved up I suppose. However, in that time I've had 2 3gs's and 2 iphone 4's due to replacements due to hardware malfunctions. So it might be saving extra back ups because of its unique serial.
Click to expand...

no it's not that...I have three just for my iPhone 4...I deleted my back ups from the last three years
 
I have a MBP with a 250gb hdd. I am not down to like 2 gigs or anything but I like to leave a lot of free space.
 
I don't know why you have all this space being wasted by multiple backups. I have a MBP and at all time, regardless of number of back-ups, I'm using no more than 1 GB for backups.
 
i have snow leopard with itunes 10 and 5 devices - 1 ipad, 1 iphone, 3 ipod touches and they all have just one backup.

edit: here's what i found. in itunes, it only shows the most recent sync for each device. all previous backups are stored here (mac):
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
 
jgw1283 said:
I want to delete some of my iphone backups because everytime I back it up, gigs of space are gone and its getting frustrating. Where are these files kept? Can I delete them from itunes?
Click to expand...

How big is your HD?

Are you OCD about Free Memory/HD space?

I got backups on my back from my Original iPhone (from 2007)... they take up a few GBs and they cause not issue what so ever.

PS: i know this doesn't actually adress your question/concern but I am jut curious if it is something else going on.
 
The backup/restore features in itunes for the iphone sucks. It needs a complete overhaul. There needs to be much more control given to how often and how many backups are kept. Being able to restore indiviual data would be nice as well.
 
question, how can i tell what back up is for what and the dates ? i have a mac but i also connect my ipad, ipod and iphone to this and i see a lot of back ups but i cant tell what each is for . Can someone help ?
Thanks
 
richxps said:
question, how can i tell what back up is for what and the dates ? i have a mac but i also connect my ipad, ipod and iphone to this and i see a lot of back ups but i cant tell what each is for . Can someone help ?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Open itunes,edit, preferences, Devices
It will list for what device name the backup is for and the date and time created.
 
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