Guide: Where Is iPhone Backup Stored on PC [Windows & Mac]?

Wondering where is iPhone backup stored on PC? This post explains how to find backups on Windows or Mac, and introduces flexible way to change backup options.

Clara by Clara Updated November 25, 2024
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When you backup your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes, the backup files are stored on your computer or on Apple's servers. However, many users don’t know where is iPhone backup stored on PC.

In this guide, we'll explain how to find iPhone backups on Windows PC or Mac. And also show you a better way to flexibility in backup and choosing your backup location.

enlightenedHere is a cable about the comparson of backup iPhone with iCloud/iTunes/FoneTool:

Feature iCloud/iTunes 🔥FoneTool
Backup Location Fixed Customizable
Selective Backup No Yes
Overwriting Backups Yes No
Internet Dependency iCloud requires internet Completely offline
Backup Speed Slower Faster

Where Is iPhone Backup Stored on Windows 10/11

When you back up your iPhone on a Windows PC, the backups are usually stored in predefined system folders. Let's see where are iPhone backups stored on Windows.

How to Find iPhone Backup on PC via iCloud

When you use iCloud to back up your iPhone data, iCloud stores your iPhone backups on Apple's servers. You can view and manage them through the iCloud app on your PC.

★Tip:
When you need to download data from iCloud to iPhone, you can follow the guide to perform it.

Where is Apple backup stored on PC by iCloud:

Step 1. Download and install the iCloud on the computer from Apple’s website.

Step 2. Open it and sign in with your Apple ID.

Step 3. Tap on Storage to view a list of your iCloud backups.

icloud on windows

How to Locate iTunes Backup on Computer

When you back up your iPhone via iTunes, the backup file is saved locally on your PC. You can follow the below steps to know where to find iTunes backup on PC:

Step 1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2. Enter the following path in the address bar:

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

itunes backup location windows

Step 3. The backup folder displays one or more folders named with a random alphanumeric string. These folders contain the backup data for your iPhone.

If you have iTunes installed on your computer, you can also use it to find your iPhone backup.

Step 1. Open the iTunes software on your computer.

Step 2. Tap iTunes on the top bar > Select Preferences from the drop-down list.

Step 3. Then click Devices > Select the backup you want to view.

Where is My iPhone Backup Stored on Mac

For macOS users, how you store your backups depends on whether you use Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (macOS Mojave and earlier).

How to Find iPhone Backup on PC from Finder

Starting with macOS Catalina, Finder replaces iTunes to manage iPhone backups. Here's how to find your backups:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the Mac with a USB cable.

Step 2. Open Finder > Select your device from the sidebar under Locations.

Step 3. Go to the General tab from the Finder window.

Step 4. Then tap on Manage Backups to find a list of stored backups.

Step 5. Right-click on a backup > Select Show in Finder.

finder on mac

How to Locate iTunes Backup on Mac

If you backed up your iPhone using iTunes on an older version of macOS, follow these steps to find where is the iPhone backup stored on PC:

Step 1. Launch the iTunes on your Mac.

Step 2. Tap on iTunes from the top menu > Click Preferences.

Step 3. Navigate to the Devices tab, and you can see a list of your iPhone backups.

itunes backup list

Step 4. Hold down the Control key > Tap on the specific backup.

Step 5. Then you can select Show in Finder to open the folder where the backup is stored.

How to Select Location of iPhone Backup on PC [Better]

Not only does backing up your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes have a lot of limitations, but these methods don't allow you the flexibility to choose a custom folder or drive.

Fortunately, there is a more efficient and versatile solution, FoneTool, which allows you to choose to back up your iPhone to any location on your PC or external drive.

► Custom Backup Location: Unlike iCloud and iTunes, FoneTool allows you to select any folder, drive, or external storage device as the backup location.
► Selective Backup Options: FoneTool allows you to back up specific files like photos, videos, contacts, etc. without creating a full backup every time.
► Fast and Reliable: With this tool, your backup time will be significantly reduced and your data will be safely stored.
► No Overwrite: Previous backups will not be overwritten, so you can keep multiple versions for added security.
► Offline Backup: All backups are stored locally, so you don't have to worry about internet speed or iCloud storage limits.

How to backup iPhone to PC without iTunes/iCloud by using FoneTool:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer with USB cable > Free download and run FoneTool.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 2. Go to Phone Backup from the left panel > Select Selective Backup. If you want to create a full backup, you can choose Full Backup > Tap Get Started.

choose selective backup

Step 3. On the page, click the file icon to select data you want to backup > We take backup photos as an example, preview and select the pictures > Hit OK.

select photo

Step 4. Then tap Backup Storage Path to decide a backup storage location as you like > Click Start Backup to continue.

select backup confirm

When you view or restore the backups, you can go to the folder you selected. Or go to My Backup > Tap the View/Restore icon according to your need.

my backups restore

With FoneTool, you don't have to worry about where is iPhone backup stored on PC. Because your backup path is your own choice!

Related Questions of Where is iPhone Backup Stored on PC

Here are some questions many users also want to know about where are iPhone backups stored on computer

blush Can I Change the Location of iTunes Backups on PC?

  • No, iTunes doesn't have a built-in option to change the backup location. However, you can redirect the backup to another folder using symbolic links.

devil Can I Change the Location of iCloud Backups?

  • No, iCloud backups are stored on Apple's servers and cannot be redirected.

cool How Much Space Do iPhone Backups Take on My PC?

  • The backup size depends on the data on your iPhone. Photos, videos, and app data greatly affect the backup size.

laugh Are FoneTool Backups Compatible with iCloud or iTunes?

  • FoneTool backups are independent and will not overwrite iCloud or iTunes backups, giving you extra flexibility.

Conclusion

The above shows how to find where is iPhone backup stored on PC. Whether you are using Windows or macOS, you can find your backups through iCloud or iTunes. For more flexibility, tools such as FoneTool allow you to choose the backup location, perform selective backups, and avoid the limitations of traditional methods.

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