February 18, 2010 By 6 Comments

Restore an iPhone from a Backup (The Hard Way)

I wish that I had an easier time restoring Erin’s iPhone but there happened to be some misfortunes along the way. i.e. iPhone crashed (firmware chip?), not backing up the phone often enough, laptop crashing, and weird folder structures for Apple/iTunes.

This entire process started with obtaining a new iPhone, recovering the laptop hard drive, and locating all the important information.  Below I will describe the steps necessary to recover an iPhone with the backup files iTunes creates when the user uses the “backup” button.

PC Instructions

  1. Locate the backup file you want to restore from.  I would start looking in the default backup directory: C:UsersuserAppDataRoamingApple ComputerMobileSyncBackup  – SEE NOTES BELOW
  2. Load iTunes
  3. Plug in iPhone- wait for it to mount
  4. Navigate to the iPhone and select “Update” / “Restore” while holding the Shift key. (Hold Shift key + Click Update/Restore)
  5. This will prompt you to choose the backup directory.  Refer to Step 1 and where you found your backup file.
  6. Restore!
  7. Restore and Good Luck!

Notes:

  • Depending on what version of Windows you’re running the path might also be: C:Documents and SettingsuserApplication DataApple ComputerMobileSyncBackup
  • The folder name for the backups is rather strange.  Here is an example of mine: 2869abaa23e687eb5bdb0dde76dcae8472a74f0d

Mac Instructions

  1. Locate the backup file you want to restore from.  I would start looking in the default backup directory:  User/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/ – SEE NOTE BELOW
  2. Load iTunes
  3. Plug in iPhone- wait for it to mount
  4. Navigate to the iPhone and select “Update” / “Restore” while holding the Option key. (Hold Option key + Click Update/Restore)
  5. This will prompt you to choose the backup directory.  Refer to Step 1 and where you found your backup file.
  6. Restore and Good Luck!

Notes:

  • The folder name for the backups is rather strange.  Here is an example of mine: 2869abaa23e687eb5bdb0dde76dcae8472a74f0d

Related posts:

  1. iPhone Wishlist
  2. iPhone Wishlist Part II
  3. WordPress Plugin for iPhone Users
Filed Under: Data Recovery, iPhone Tagged With: , , ,
  • Steve

    %APPDATA% global var will get you to whatever your app tree is.

    E.G.: cd %APPDATA%/Apple*/MobileSync/Backup/

  • Starchick

    when i click on the file it doesnt have anything to open…please help!

    • Anonymous

      Are you following the PC or Mac instructions?  I would also validate that the image file completely downloaded.  When you perform the option/shift + restore and select the file you should be on your way but if the file isn’t correct then it won’t work :(

  • Romana

    i cant restore this way, i can see all my files when i open my backup folder through itunes but i cant restore because there is no ipsw file please help i lost all my content:( and there is no option to restore from backup when i restore my phone, it automatically sets it up as new iphone. but i can see my previous backups in itunes-preferences-devices. please help im desperate

    • Anonymous

      Hi Romana,

      Were you able to resolve your issue yet?

      If not are you running a Mac or PC? How did your create your last backup? Did you do it manually (right click -> backup) or did you let iTunes do it through syncing?

      Also, are you able to see your last backup? (preferences -> devices). From there you should see all of the backups that are associated with that computer.

  • Kasperbakhansen

    Hi ! Same thing happens for me, I can’t seem to read the file when following the instructions above. The files in the folder does not seem to be .ipsw files. Is there any way you can convert the files to fix it…!??? I’m quite desperate so please help me, thanks :-)