Taking a backup of your iPhone via iTunes is a common practice these days. The backup files usually get stored on your C drive, which eventually gets filled up with other files as well. In case you need to free up space, you might want to change the iPhone backup location in iTunes Windows 10. In this blog post, we will discuss a few methods to do so easily.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Change iPhone Backup Location in iTunes Windows 10
By default, iTunes stores the backup on your C drive. However, once the drive gets filled up, you might want to change the location to some other drive. But iTunes doesn’t allow you to change the location directly. Which means that you have to go through some extra steps to make the backup go to another drive.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we start, there are a few things you need to prepare for:
1. A backup location on another drive.
2. A USB cable to connect your iPhone to your PC.
3. The latest version of iTunes already installed on your PC.
Method 1: Using Symbolic Link to Change iPhone Backup Location in iTunes Windows 10
First, we will talk about the most common method to change the backup location using symbolic links. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Windows Explorer and create a new folder in the preferred location where you want to store your iPhone backups. For example, let’s say you want to store your backups in ‘D:/My Backup.’
2. Now, copy the existing ‘Backup’ folder located in ‘C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync’ folder to the newly created folder.
3. After copying the ‘Backup’ folder, rename the existing ‘Backup’ folder by appending "OLD" or "Backup-OLD" at the end of the folder name. This step is critical as it will allow iTunes to identify the new folder you just created.
4. Open Command Prompt in Administrator Mode. To do this, type ‘CMD’ in the Start menu search, right-click on the Command Prompt, and select ‘Run as Administrator.’
5. Now, enter the following command and replace the placeholders with your folder’s location:
mklink /J "C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\My Backup\Backup"
6. This command will create a symbolic link ‘Backup’ in ‘C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup,’ which will open the folder you created in step 1.
7. Once the symbolic link is created, close the Command Prompt, and connect your iPhone to your PC. iTunes will recognize the new backup location, and you can proceed with your backup.
Pros: The symbolic link method is simple and doesn’t require any third-party software.
Cons: You need to be very careful while renaming the original backup folder in step 3.
Method 2: Changing the iPhone Backup Location via Registry Editor
Another way to change your backup location is by using the Windows Registry Editor. However, you should only try this method if you are comfortable with editing your system registry. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open Registry Editor by typing ‘REGEDIT’ in the Start menu search and pressing Enter.
2. On the Registry Editor window, navigate to ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Apple Computer, Inc.\MobileSync.’
3. Right-click on ‘MobileSync,’ select ‘New’ and choose ‘String Value.’
4. Rename the newly created string value to ‘BackupFolderPath.’
5. Double-click on the newly created ‘BackupFolderPath’ and enter the path of the backup location you want to use.
6. Close the Registry Editor and reconnect your iPhone. iTunes will now use the new backup location.
Pros: A simple and straightforward way to change the backup location.
Cons: Changing the Registry Editor settings could harm your system if done incorrectly.
Method 3: Changing the Backup Location via iTunes Preferences
Another convenient way to change the backup location is by changing the iTunes preferences. Follow the steps below:
1. Launch iTunes and click on ‘Edit’ in the menu bar.
2. In the drop-down menu, select ‘Preferences.’
3. In the ‘Preferences’ window, click on the ‘Devices’ tab.
4. Now, hold the ‘Shift’ key and then click on the ‘Change’ button.
5. Browse to your desired backup location and click on "Select Folder."
6. After you have selected your new location, click on the ‘OK’ button to save the changes.
Pros: No technical skills or registry editing required.
Cons: If you forget to hold down the ‘Shift’ key, you won’t be able to change the backup location.
Method 4: Using Third-Party Backup Software to Change iPhone Backup Location in iTunes Windows 10
Some third-party backup software, such as iMazing, can help you change the backup location easily. You can follow the steps below:
1. Download and install the iMazing app on your PC.
2. Connect your iPhone to your PC via USB.
3. In iMazing, click on your device in the sidebar.
4. Click on ‘Backup’ in the top bar, and then select ‘Full Backup’ and click on the ‘Customize’ button.
5. Select your desired backup location.
6. Click on the ‘Create Backup’ button, and you’re good to go.
Pros: There is no need to create any symbolic link or tweak the registry. iMazing is user-friendly and offers a lot of useful features.
Cons: iMazing is not a free app, and it might take longer to complete the backup process.
Why Can’t I Change iPhone Backup Location in iTunes Windows 10?
There might be several reasons why you cannot change the iPhone backup location in iTunes Windows 10. Some of these reasons include:
1. You do not have administrative privileges to make the changes.
2. iTunes could be outdated.
3. Your iPhone might not be connected correctly.
4. The registry settings could be incorrect.
Fixes:
1. You can try running Registry Editor in Administrator Mode if you do not have administrative privileges.
2. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed.
3. Check your connection to ensure that your iPhone is connected correctly.
4. Try creating a new symbolic link in case the registry settings are incorrect.
Additional Tips
1. Always remember to hold down the ‘Shift’ key while changing the backup location via iTunes preferences.
2. You can use any file explorer app to create a new folder in the preferred location.
3. Always make a backup of the backup before making any changes.
5 FAQs about How to Change iPhone Backup Location in iTunes Windows 10
Q1: Is it safe to change my iPhone backup location?
A: Yes, it is safe to change your iPhone backup location. You can always create a backup of the backup before making any changes.
Q2: Can I use any external drive as a backup location?
A: Yes, you can use any external drive that is connected to your PC as a backup location.
Q3: Can I change my backup location on Mac?
A: Yes, you can change your iPhone backup location on Mac using the methods mentioned above.
Q4: Do I need to change the backup location every time I take a backup?
A: No, once you change the backup location, iTunes will always use the new location. You do not need to change it every time.
Q5: What should I do if the new backup location doesn’t work?
A: In case the new backup location doesn’t work, you can try changing it again using the methods mentioned above.
In Conclusion
Changing your backup location in iTunes Windows 10 can save a lot of space on your C drive. Although the process might seem complicated, you can follow the methods mentioned above to change your backup location easily. Remember to take a backup of your backup before making any changes and always be cautious when tweaking the registry.