I have some good news for those of you looking to have a fresh start on your iPhone 4. Reading through some threads I've noticed a lot of people want to start fresh, but there are things such as contacts, pictures, or old sms holding them back. I share this concern. I would look to keep my contacts and my pictures.
Fortunately, I just found a way to do this. It may not be the most efficient, but it works.
(MAC GUIDE)
Download a freeware called "iPhone Backup Extractor"
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/iPhone-Applications/Tools-Utilities/iPhone-Backup-Extractor.shtml
Pick the backup you would like to view. Then choose "iPhone OS Files" and hit extract. I extracted them to my desktop. At this point my computer froze up. I had to hit the power button to force it into sleep, but when it came back on the files were extracted.
Open up the folder that the files are in. Your contacts will be in:
Library > AddressBook
Here you will notice there are two files. All of our contact info is in the file called: AddressBook.sqlitedb
At this point you can open the file in a text editor and try to decipher it. GOOD LUCK! Luckily, I found another application that somewhat interprets these files.
Download another freeware called "SQLite Database Browser".
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sqlitebrowser/
Use this application to open AddressBook.sqlitedb
After doing this the data still looks very messy. In a few more steps it will be easier to find the simple name and number. In the SQLite app go to the tab "Browse Data".
You will be using two different tables to get the information. One is for the names and the other is for the number.
The table ABPerson will have the names.
The table ABMultiValue will have the numbers.
There is a number that relates the two because they don't seem to be in a certain order.
ABPerson it's the ROWID
ABMultiValue it's the record_id
Like I stated before, it's not efficient, but it will keep your new iPhone clean! If you continue to browse the extraction of your backup (iPhone OS Files), you can also find your old pictures and sms. The pictures are viewable and are a simple copy/paste. I did not look into viewing the old sms at all because I don't need them on my new phone.
Let me know if anything needs clarification. Enjoy!
Fortunately, I just found a way to do this. It may not be the most efficient, but it works.
(MAC GUIDE)
Download a freeware called "iPhone Backup Extractor"
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/iPhone-Applications/Tools-Utilities/iPhone-Backup-Extractor.shtml
Pick the backup you would like to view. Then choose "iPhone OS Files" and hit extract. I extracted them to my desktop. At this point my computer froze up. I had to hit the power button to force it into sleep, but when it came back on the files were extracted.
Open up the folder that the files are in. Your contacts will be in:
Library > AddressBook
Here you will notice there are two files. All of our contact info is in the file called: AddressBook.sqlitedb
At this point you can open the file in a text editor and try to decipher it. GOOD LUCK! Luckily, I found another application that somewhat interprets these files.
Download another freeware called "SQLite Database Browser".
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sqlitebrowser/
Use this application to open AddressBook.sqlitedb
After doing this the data still looks very messy. In a few more steps it will be easier to find the simple name and number. In the SQLite app go to the tab "Browse Data".
You will be using two different tables to get the information. One is for the names and the other is for the number.
The table ABPerson will have the names.
The table ABMultiValue will have the numbers.
There is a number that relates the two because they don't seem to be in a certain order.
ABPerson it's the ROWID
ABMultiValue it's the record_id
Like I stated before, it's not efficient, but it will keep your new iPhone clean! If you continue to browse the extraction of your backup (iPhone OS Files), you can also find your old pictures and sms. The pictures are viewable and are a simple copy/paste. I did not look into viewing the old sms at all because I don't need them on my new phone.
Let me know if anything needs clarification. Enjoy!