How to view iPhone backup files on Mac or PC
Can iPhone backup files be viewed on Mac/PC? Never think about it? Then you must read the post patiently to know more about your iPhone backup files.
William Davis Updated on Aug 22, 2023 4:31 PM
Apple has created iCloud for users to back up an iPhone anytime or anywhere. But if you want to back up an iPhone to your Mac or PC, using Finder or iTunes are better. But, here come questions: Where are my backup files stored on my Mac or PC? Can I view the backup file and how to do it?
We know you are eager to know answers of all these questions, in the following content, we will tell you whether, where and how you can view your iPhone backup files on Mac or PC.
Table of Contents
Can I View My Backup Files on Mac/PC
Can you view your backup files on Mac or PC? This question can be answered with both "Yes!" and "No!" easily. You may be confused about it.
In fact, if you are going to view the location of backup files on a PC or Mac, certainly you can make it. But if you want to view the content of the backup file, it's a pity that you cannot view it directly as it is not stored in an understandable format for users.
Where Are Backup Files Stored on Mac/PC
While iCloud backups are stored in iCloud space, the Finder or iTunes store backups to a Backup folder on your Mac/PC. So as to view or access the content of your backups, you need to locate backup folders on your Mac or PC first.
View the Backup Folder on Mac:
To locate the Backup folder on your Mac, you need to:
- Open your Mac.
- Click the symbol of magnifier in the menu bar.
- Type or copy and paste to search this address and enter it: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/.
- Select the Backup folder under Folders.
If you are using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, you can view your iPhone backup by doing as the followings show.
1. Open the Finder on your Mac and click your device.
2. Click Manage Backups under the General tab, and you will be able to view the list of backups.
3. Choose the backup you want to view, right-click it and click Show in Finder.
4. Click OK after it's finished.
View Backup folders on PC:
You can find the backup files location with easy ways on your PC.
If you are using Window XP, you can find the backup location by going to: C\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
If you are using Window Vista, 7, 8 and 10, backup files can be found by going to: C\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
But if you cannot find backup folders successfully on your PC, then you can try with these steps.
Step 1: Turn on your PC.
Step 2: Find the Search bar.
If you are using Windows 8, then you can see the Search bar by clicking the magnifying glass in the upper-right corner.
If you are using Windows 10, you can click the Search bar next to the Start button.
Step 3: Type and enter %appdata%. If backups don't show on the screen, you can try to make it with typing %USERPROFILE%.
Step 4: Click Return and then click Apple or Apple Computer > MobileSync > Backup.
Tip: Although you are able to find and view the Backup Folders on Mac or PC with above methods, you should keep it in mind that you shouldn't change anything of it, including its location, its name or its content. Instead, you can only copy and paste it.
How to View iPhone Backup Files
Even if you can locate backup folders, you cannot view the detailed content of it on your Mac or PC. But it doesn't mean you can do nothing with it. In fact, the most common and simplest way to view or access a backup file's content is to restore the backup from your Mac/PC to iPhone.
For a Mac with macOS Catalina or later:
- Open Finder on Mac.
- Connect your iPhone to Mac with a USB cable. Type your iPhone's passcode when it's required, or click Trust This Computer when it's shown.
- Choose your iPhone when it appears in the Finder window.
- Click Restore Backup.
- Choose the time of each backup and click the one you want.
- Type your passcode and click Restore.
- Stay your iPhone connected to Mac/PS when it's restoring. Wait for the progress to finish and then you can disconnect it.
For a Mac user using macOS Mojave or earlier, or a PC user:
- Open iTunes on Mac.
- Get your iPhone connected to Mac via a USB cable. Input your iPhone's passcode when it's required, or click Trust This Computer when you are asked.
- On iTunes, choose your iPhone.
- Click Restore Backup, where you can view different dates of each backup.
- Choose the time of the backup you want to restore
- Type your passcode if it's necessary, and click Restore, then you need to wait for the accomplishment of restoring.
