How to recover deleted iTunes backups on Windows? Here, we'll show you two effective methods, along with detailed steps and screenshots. Scroll down 👇 to explore more!
iTunes helps users back up their iPhone to a computer, which will create a backup package containing almost all iPhone data. With iTunes backup, we can easily recover lost iPhone data.
However, the iTunes backup files may also be missing when cleaning up disk space, or just accidentally deleted iTunes backups. Worse still, the deleted files cannot be found in the Recycle Bin either. So, can you recover the deleted iTunes backup?
Fortunately, the answer is Yes! It is possible to recover permanently deleted files even if you do not have a backup of your computer. When files are deleted, they don't disappear from the computer but wait to be overwritten by new data. Therefore, when you find your iTunes backup is lost, please stop using the computer immediately to prevent lost files from being overwritten.
Here are two ways that can help you recover deleted iTunes backup file. You can try to restore from Windows backup (if there is one). If not, it's suggested to go directly to Way 2, which does not require a backup.
File History is a Windows backup feature that can back up the user's folders. In Windows 10, you can add any folder to backup in this software. Please be sure you are using Windows 10 and backup the iTunes backup folder. Then, you can go to the folder and check if there is a previous version of the iTunes backup.
Step 1. Right-click the iTunes backup folder and select the Restore previous versions option.
✦ Windows 11/10/8: C:\Users\[PC name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\ MobileSync\ Backup or C:\Users\[PC name]\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\.
✦ Windows 7: C:\Users\Your username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\.
Step 2. Check and choose a previous version containing the iTunes backup file. You can click Open > Open in File History to verify.
Step 3. After confirmation, click Restore and select a new location to recover deleted iTunes backup.
If there is no available backup, then you can rely on a reliable data recovery tool to recover deleted iTunes backup files. As mentioned before, deleted files may still be on your computer and we can't see them, but recovery software can get them out.
There are quite a few Windows data recovery tools on the market. Here, we highly recommend using FastRecovery. It is simple and easy to operate as it has a clear and intuitive interface. It's partitioned well, so you can easily find the drive or partition and click Start Scan to get started.
Also, it's fast. The Quick Scan can scan any device for deleted or lost data quickly. It displays all data by type or path, providing options to sort, search, filter, and preview files, making it easier to find files.
In sum, it is an ideal tool for those who don't know much about computers. It's read-only and does not cause data overwriting, making data recovery more difficult.
Don't save them to the drive containing iTunes backup folder, as it may cause data overwriting.
Any newly added data or disk formatting can overwrite data. Please avoid these operations after realizing data loss.
Step 1. Launch FastRecovery and click Deleted Files Recovery, specifically designed for quick recovery. You can also choose a more suitable alternative. All of them can help you retrieve data without causing any damage.
Step 2. Hover the mouse over the drive containing the deleted iTunes backup, usually, it’s the C: drive > Click Scan.
Step 3. It will automatically scan your drive to find deleted or lost files with Quick Scan. You don't wait too long.
Scan time mainly depends on disk size and health, especially regarding bad sectors or file system corruption.
During scanning, you can click the Stop or Pause button if you select the wrong disk or something goes wrong.
Step 4. Expand Deleted Files or Recycle Bin and navigate to where the iTunes backup store.
✦ Windows 11/10/8: C:\Users\[PC name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\ MobileSync\ Backup or C:\Users\[PC name]\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\.
✦ Windows 7: C:\Users\Your username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\.
Step 5. Once you see iTunes backups, select the one you need and click the Recover button. Please select a new location to save the recovered iTunes backup. Otherwise, the old file may be overwritten.
If you are not sure, double-click the file to confirm.
Click the Deep Scan button at the lower left corner to find more data if you can't find deleted iTunes backup.
iTunes backups contain almost all the iPhone data, as iTunes only allows users to backup the entire iPhone, and it’s a difficult job to change the iTunes backup location. You may delete the iTunes backup while cleaning up disk space due to insufficient space.
To avoid such cases, you can choose to backup only important data and save it externally.
Click the download button to get the tool and explore more by yourself.
That’s all about how to recover deleted iTunes backup on a Windows PC. If you have enabled Windows backup, you can check if the previous version of the folder has the iTunes backup files. If there is no available backup, then you can try ADR for Windows to scan the drive and find the lost files. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Here are possible reasons why you can’t restore your iPhone from an iTunes backup and what to do about them:
The iTunes backup folders are stored in the “MobileSync” folder, which is located in the ~Library folder of your Mac – this is set up by default.