This topic provides information about how the administrator can configure inSync to back up the iTunes library that is stored on your laptop. The topic also provides information about how users can restore iTunes library on their new devices.
Location of iTunes backup data on user laptops
The folder where the backup data is stored depends on your laptop's operating system. iTunes stores the backup files at the following locations:
Operating system | Location of iTunes backup data |
Mac | ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
The "~" represents the Home folder. If the Library option in the Home folder does not appear, press and hold the Option key and then click the Go menu. |
Windows XP | \Documents and Settings\ username \Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ |
Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows Vista | \Users\ username \AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\ |
Configure inSync to back up iTunes data
This section describes the tasks that the administrator must perform to configure inSync to back up the iTunes library. Follow the procedure that is applicable to your laptop's operating system.
📝 Note
The inSync Client backs up all the data that iTunes backs up. To know more about what data iTunes backs up, see the iTunes documentation.
On Mac OS
To configure inSync to back up iTunes data on Mac OS
On the inSync Management Console, click Manage > Profiles.
Click the link of the profile for which you want to configure inSync to back up iTunes data. The Manage Profiles page appears.
Click the Laptop Backup Content tab.
In the Laptop Backup Content area, click Edit. The Edit Profile window appears.
Click the Mac tab.
Perform the following steps:
Click the +Add folder link.
In the Folder to be backed up box, type %homedir%/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup.
In the Backup folder name box, type a name for this folder, which you can use for easy reference.
In the Include Files box, type or select All files.
Click Save.
📝 Note
The first backup is a full backup. The subsequent backups are incremental in nature.
On Windows OS
To configure inSync to back up iTunes data on Windows OS
On the inSync Management Console, click Manage > Profiles.
Click the link of the profile for which you want to configure inSync to back up iTunes data. The Manage Profiles page appears.
Click the Laptop Backup Content tab.
In the Laptop Backup Content area, click Edit. The Edit Profile window appears.
Click the Windows tab.
Perform the following steps:
Click the +Add folder link.
In the Folder to be backed up box, type %appdata%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup .
In the Backup folder name box, type a name for this folder, which you can use for easy reference.
In the Include Files box, type or select All files.
Click Save.
📝 Note
The first backup is a full backup. The subsequent backups are incremental in nature.
Restore iTunes backup data
This section explains how users can restore the iTunes backup data to their iOS devices.
Before you begin
Before you restore iTunes backup data, ensure the following:
You have installed the inSync Client on your iOS device.
You have installed the latest version of iTunes on your iOS device.
You have used iTunes to back up your new device.
Step 1: Restore iTunes backup data by using the inSync Client
To restore data by using the inSync Client
Start the inSync Client.
On the Summary page, click Restore.
On the Restore Backup Data window, click the device, and then click the snapshot from which you want to restore data.
Browse and select the folders that you want to restore and then click Restore. The Restore to Device window appears.
Provide the appropriate information for each field.
Restore data size:No action required. This field displays the total number of files and the size of the data that you want to restore.
Restore to device:
Click the device to which you want to restore the data.
Restore to location:
Click Custom Location to restore the data to a custom location. The Specify custom location text box appears.
📝 Note
Restoring files to the original location might result in overwriting files with the same name.Specify custom location:This text box appears only if you click Custom Location. Type the path to the folder where you want to restore the data.
Click Ok. The data restore operation starts. A restore bar appears, which displays the progress of the data restore operation.
Step 2: Change the location of the data restored on your laptop
To change the location of the data restored on your laptop
Move the existing backup folder to a different location.
Go to the location where you restored the data by using inSync.
Depending on your laptop's operating system, move the folder to the original location:
Mac: %homedir%/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
Windows: %appdata%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
Step 3: Restore iTunes backup data to a new device
To restore iTunes backup data to a new device
Connect your iOS device to iTunes.
Click your device when it appears in iTunes.
Click File > Devices > Restore From Backup.
Follow the instructions to restore data to your new device.