Where iPhone backup is stored in windows

Hey friends! I’m Jessica, and if you’re an iPhone user like me who loves to back up your data regularly but works mostly on a Windows computer, you might’ve wondered — “Where exactly is my iPhone backup stored on Windows?”

Trust me, I’ve been there. A few months ago, when I upgraded my iPhone and wanted to restore everything from my last backup, I couldn’t find the backup folder anywhere on my laptop. It felt like Apple hid it in some secret chamber inside Windows! After a little digging (and a few cups of coffee), I figured it all out. So, today I’m sharing everything you need to know about where iPhone backups are stored in Windows, how to access them safely, and what you should — and shouldn’t — do with them.

Understanding iPhone Backups

Before jumping into the exact file path, let’s first understand what kind of backup you’re dealing with. When you connect your iPhone to a Windows PC via iTunes (or the Apple Devices app if you’re using Windows 11), your system creates a local backup of your device.

This backup includes:

• Messages, call logs, and settings
• App data and home screen layout
• Health data (if encrypted)
• Photos and videos (if not already in iCloud)

It does not include:

• iCloud photos (if you use iCloud Photos)
• Apple Pay data or Face ID/Touch ID settings
• Apps themselves (just their data)

So in short, this backup is a mirror image of your iPhone’s state — perfect for restoring your phone or switching to a new one.

Default Location of iPhone Backups in Windows

Now, let’s get to the real question: Where is the iPhone backup stored on your Windows PC?

For iTunes installed from Apple’s website:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

For iTunes installed from Microsoft Store (or Apple Devices app on Windows 11):

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\

Each folder inside the Backup directory represents a single iPhone backup. The folder names look like long strings of random numbers and letters — those are unique identifiers for each device backup.

How to Access the iPhone Backup Folder

If you’re not used to digging into Windows folders, here’s the simple step-by-step method I use:

1. Open File Explorer
   Press Windows + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer.
2. Enable Hidden Items
   Go to the View tab → Check Hidden items.
   (This step is crucial because the AppData folder is hidden by default.)
3. Navigate to the Path
   Go to:
   C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
4. Open the Folder
   Inside, you’ll see one or more folders — each representing an iPhone or iPad backup.
5. Optional: Right-click and select Properties to check how much space the backup is taking. (Some can be over 5–10 GB depending on what’s stored.)

How to Identify Which Backup Belongs to Which iPhone

If you’ve backed up multiple Apple devices to your PC (say your iPhone and your kid’s iPad), you’ll see several folders with random names. Here’s how to tell which is which:

1. Open iTunes → Click Edit > Preferences
2. Go to the Devices tab
3. You’ll see a list of device names and the date/time of each backup
4. Right-click any backup → choose Show in Finder (on Mac) or Show in Explorer (on Windows)

This will open the exact folder where that particular device’s backup is stored.

How to Move iPhone Backups to Another Drive

If your C: drive is filling up fast, you might want to move your backup to another disk or external drive.
Here’s how I did it safely:

1. Locate the Backup Folder
   Follow the path above and find the Backup folder.
2. Copy it to Another Drive
   For example, paste it into D:\iPhoneBackup.
3. Create a Symbolic Link
   Now, you’ll “trick” iTunes into thinking your backup still lives in its original location.
   • Delete (or rename) the old Backup folder.
   • Open Command Prompt (as Administrator).
   • Type this command (adjust for your username and path):

   mklink /J "C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\iPhoneBackup"
   

4. Press Enter — You’ve now successfully redirected iTunes backups to your D: drive!

Can You Read or Open the Backup Files?

Here’s something important — you can’t directly open or read backup files as they are stored in encrypted or proprietary formats.

The files inside the backup folder are mostly database and system files like .plist, .db, and .mddata. To view the contents in human-readable form, you’ll need third-party tools such as:

• iMazing
• iExplorer
• Dr.Fone – Backup & Restore
• Tenorshare iCareFone

I personally use iMazing because it’s simple and lets me extract specific things like messages or photos without restoring the entire backup.

iTunes Backup vs. iCloud Backup — Key Differences

When I first got my iPhone, I assumed iTunes backups and iCloud backups were identical — but they’re not.

So if you’re someone like me who often travels and doesn’t always have your laptop handy, iCloud backups might be more convenient. But for full control and large data, local iTunes backups are still the way to go.

How to Delete Old Backups

Old backups can take up huge space over time. Here’s how you can delete them safely:

1. Open iTunes
2. Go to Edit > Preferences > Devices
3. Select the old backup
4. Click Delete Backup

Alternatively, you can manually delete the folder from File Explorer — just make sure you’re not removing the most recent one!

Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes your iPhone might not back up properly, or you might see errors when restoring. Here’s what I’ve learned works best:

• Ensure you have enough disk space before starting a backup
• Update iTunes or Apple Devices app to the latest version
• Disable antivirus temporarily (some interfere with backup files)
• If you get “iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occurred”, try restarting both devices and reconnecting via a new USB cable.

Final Thoughts

So, where is your iPhone backup stored on Windows?
Now you know exactly where to look, how to access it, and even how to move it if you need more space.

As someone who manages both personal and family devices, I can’t stress enough the importance of keeping backups organized — especially before updates or new device setups.

My tip: Set a reminder once every month to back up your iPhone manually to your PC or iCloud. It’s one of those small habits that can save you hours of stress later.