Once inside, execute the following command:Ĭhange the file path at the end of the command line to point to your new iTunes backup location. This process removes it Back-up ‘shortcut’ folder that was previously automatically generated, but your backups in the new backup location are safe and will not be deleted.ĭepending on your version of iTunes, go to the MobileSync directory and start PowerShell with the Shift key pressed. If you want to remove the symbolic link for some reason, you will need to run another command through PowerShell. And if you are using multiple removable devices on your PC, make sure to connect the drive in an order where it represents the correct drive letter used for the symbolic link. Note: If you used a removable hard drive for the new backup location, don’t forget to connect it whenever you want up or restore your iOS device. When you want to restore your iPhone or iPad, iTunes will detect your backupup, including any archived backups, without any problems. Now select the radio button labeled My Computer, and then click Backupup Up Now.Īfter the procedure is complete, go to your new backup location and you will see that your primary backup folder has been updated – check the timestamp. Simply connect your iPhone or iPad to your PC, launch iTunes and go to the Summary tab of your device. Step 8: You’ve got your old backups in place, and now it’s time to create a new one from scratch to find out if iTunes is handling things right. Note: Your files will appear to be present in both the backup folder and your new backup location, but in reality the files are only stored in the latter – therefore no disk space is taken up up on your primary partition. Keep in mind that it will take a significant amount of time as your files will actually be copied to the linked location. Step 7: Go to it Backup.old folder, and cut and paste its content into the auto-generated Back-up folder. Note: You can now exit the PowerShell window. However, anything you paste into this folder should also be displayed up in your new iTunes backup location, and that’s what we’re going to do next. The folder looks like a shortcut, but unlike a normal shortcut, you can open it in the same way as a normal folder. If you did everything correctly, a new folder will be named Back-up should show up within the MobileSync folder. Step 6: Press Enter to execute the command. Therefore, cmd / c allows you to create the symbolic link through an older command shell. Note for advanced users: If you were wondering, the reason why you start with cmd / c lies in the fact that PowerShell does not support mklink / J commands.
with the drive letter of your primary partition, and with your Windows username. If you are using the Windows Store version of iTunes, type:Ĭmd / c mklink / J “C: UsersAppleMobileSyncBackup “” D: New iTunes Backup “Īgain, make sure to replace it C. If you are using the desktop version of iTunes, type:Ĭmd / c mklink / J “% APPDATA% Apple ComputerMobileSyncBackup” “D: New iTunes backupup”
Note that the new backup location is included at the end of the line, so make the necessary adjustments to the file path if yours is different. Step 5: Depending on your version of iTunes, enter the following command line in the PowerShell window. On the context menu that appears up, select Open PowerShell Window here. Step 4: Keep the Shift key and right-click on an empty area in File Explorer. To do that, press F2 – or FN-F2 – and call it Backup.oldYou will return to this folder later to copy the existing backups to the new location, so don’t worry. Step 3: An Explorer window should now open iTunes MobileSync directory automatically, and you should see a folder labeled Back-up listed inside – this is the default location that contains your backup folder and other archived backups.īut before proceeding with the symbolic link, please rename this folder to avoid conflicts.
with the correct drive letter of your primary Windows 10 partition, and with your Windows username:
If you are using the Windows Store version of iTunes, then type the following, but make sure you use C. If you are using the desktop version of iTunes, type the following in the search box: