[Quick Guide] How to Reset iPhone Encrypted Backup Password

This guide will tell you how to reset iPhone encrypted backup password. Whether you remember your password or not, you can find a way to do it here.

Lena by Lena Updated July 11, 2023
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Forgot iPhone encrypted backup password

My phone has broken, when trying to restore from backup, a prompt message to ''Enter your password for your iPhone backup'' is displayed. I couldn't find any place where I can restore the password.

- Question from Apple Community

To change encrypted iPhone backup password, simply on the "Change Password" button. Input the previously old backup password, and then enter the desired new password you wish to set.

Change Password

However, what if you have forgotten the old backup password? In the event that you encrypt your iPhone backup using iTunes and happen to forget the password, don't worry. There is a solution to remove encrypt local backup password from iTunes. Just keep reading to see how to reset iPhone encrypted backup password.

How to reset iPhone encrypted backup password in iOS 11 or later

When a new backup is created, iTunes automatically encrypts it using the password from the previous backup. However, you have the option to prevent iTunes from encrypting new iPhone backups with the old password by resetting all iPhone settings.

1. Go to Settings app > From there, scroll down and select "General".

2. Locate the "Transfer or Reset iPhone" option and tap on it.

3. Within this menu, you will find the option to reset your iPhone's settings.

4. Proceed by selecting "Reset" and then "Reset All Settings".

5. Enter the passcode of your iPhone. Once entered, tap on "Reset All Settings" once again to confirm the reset to factory default settings.

Reset All Settings

★Tips:
It is important to note that this action will reset various settings such as the layout of your Home screen and wallpaper. Additionally, any encrypted backup password stored within iTunes will be removed from your iPhone. However, it is crucial to understand that your personal data will remain unaffected.
After the reset process is complete, your iPhone will automatically restart. At this point, connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. As you navigate through iTunes, you will notice that the option to "Encrypt local backup" is no longer selected or checked. This indicates that the resetting of settings has been successfully executed.
The previous encrypted backups will no longer be accessible. However, you can still backup your current data via iTunes by establishing a new backup password.

How to reset iPhone encrypted backup password in iOS 10 or earlier

For users who are still using iOS 10 or an earlier version, and are not interested in updating to iOS 11, how to reset iTunes encrypted backup password? There are alternative actions to take.

Try all possible passwords

You can try some tricks to jog your memory about the elusive iTunes backup password, or even guess what it might be. In fact, around 20% of passwords are actually the birth date of the individual who created them. Here are some ideas to consider:

  • Start by eliminating the most common combinations that hackers love to target, such as "Password1," "qwerty123," "iloveyou," or simple numeric sequences like 1234 or 987654321.
  • Give your Apple ID password a shot. This is the password you're prompted to enter whenever you install an app from the App Store or connect to iCloud.
  • Consider trying the password you utilize for your admin/user account on your laptop.
  • Try the passcode you used to unlock your iPhone. Maybe you mixed things up and used the same one for your iTunes backup.
  • Perhaps the names or phone numbers of those closest to you might spark something. Don't forget to consider other personal information like your favorite TV series, your address, or even your childhood nickname.
  • Believe it or not, it might be worth trying a blank or empty password, especially if you've used questionable software in the past. Some unreliable programs can automatically set a blank password for you without your knowledge.
  • If your usual password exceeds 15 characters in length, it could be worth trying a shortened version of it. In a previous iOS 10 version, there was a bug where the iPhone backup password would only recognize the first 15 characters. It's worth a shot!

By trying out these different ideas, you just might unlock the mystery of your forgotten iTunes backup password. Good luck!

Backup and restore your iPhone with FoneTool

The task of backing up an iPhone often brings to mind the use of iTunes, as it is Apple's official solution. However, there are multiple alternatives to iTunes for this purpose. Many third-party backup software options exist that can help you accomplish this task efficiently.

Consider using FoneTool as your go-to software solution. With its powerful features, it offers a superior way to manage your backups efficiently.

⭐ Whether you're looking to back up your entire iPhone or just specific files, FoneTool has got you covered.
⭐ An outstanding benefit of this software is the ability to preview each item before proceeding with the backup process.
⭐ Additionally, you can effortlessly set, change, or cancel backup encryption passwords, ensuring the utmost protection for your data. FoneTool gives you complete control over your backups.

You can click the download button to get FoneTool and give it a try.

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1. Launch FoneTool and connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.

2. On the left side of the screen, locate and click on "Phone Backup". From the options that appear, choose "Full Backup" to ensure a comprehensive backup of your device.

Full Backup

Alternatively, if you only want to backup specific and important data, opt for "Selective Backup" and manually select the files you wish to include.

3. You have the option to enable backup encryption. It's not mandatory, so you can proceed without turning it on if you prefer. When you want to reset iPhone backup encryption password, just click Manage backup password to make it.

Backup encryption

4. Afterward, select a suitable location where you want to store the backup. You can choose a specific folder on your computer, an external hard drive, or even a USB flash drive based on your preference and available storage options.

5. Once you've made your selection, simply click on "Start Backup" to initiate the backup process.

Start Backup

Find password via Keychain

If you are a Mac user and have set up a password for your iTunes backup on that specific Mac, it is possible that your computer has stored a record of that password in its keychain. To verify this, you can access the "Keychain Access" application.

1. To launch Keychain Access, simply open Spotlight by pressing Cmd + Space, type "Keychain Access" and press Enter.

2. In the left-hand category sidebar, click on "Passwords".

3. In the top-right corner of the window, there is a search box where you can type in "backup".

4. Double-click on the search results titled iOS Backup or iPhone Backup to view the saved password entries.

5. To reveal the password, check the "Show password" box and it will be displayed.

keychain backup password

Final words

That’s all about how to reset iPhone encrypted backup password. For those who have upgraded to the latest iOS 11, there is a simple way to eliminate the encrypted iPhone backup by resetting all settings on the iPhone.

However, if you have not made the iOS update, you still have a couple of options. You can either manually attempt various passwords until you unlock the backup or you can opt for a more efficient solution, such as using the reliable FoneTool tool to aid you in backing up your device.

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