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22 January 2021  Senior Program Developer

Summary

iOS users usually back up their devices via iTunes, in order to keep the inside data well. Otherwise, they cannot retrieve data once the device is lost or damaged. But the backup files consume lots of the storage space. In this essay, we will tell you how to delete the unused iTunes backups.

Part 1: How to Delete Unused iTunes Backup via iTunes?

how to delete itunes backup files

1. Delete on Windows

Whichever operating system you use, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10, you can follow these steps to delete the unused iTunes backup files on Windows.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone or any iOS device to the computer. Then, launch iTunes. Please make sure it is the latest version. At the top menu, click on [Edit] > [Preferences].

click to file and select preferences in itunes

Step 2: Select the tab [Device]. Then, select the backup file that you want to delete and click on [Delete Backup].

how to delete backups within itunes on windows

Note: iTunes records all the backup files once you use the computer to back up your iOS devices. You can select the backup files to delete in iTunes.

2. Delete on Mac

Similarly, you can delete the backup files in iTunes on Mac.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone or any iOS device to the computer. Then, launch iTunes. Please make sure it is the latest version. At the top menu, click on [Edit] > [Preferences].

go to mac finder preferences

Step 2: Select the tab [Device]. Then, select the backup file that you want to delete and click on [Delete Backup].

how to encrypt and check iphone backup files

If you accidentally delete all backup files in iTunes, it is hard to recover the backup files. But you can use Renee iPhone Recovery to recover the lost data from iPhone.

What is Renee iPhone Recovery?

Renee iPhone Recovery is the professional data recovery software for iOS devices. It can help iOS users to quickly recover the lost or deleted data from iPhone, iPad and iPod, but also recover files from iTunes and iCloud backups. What's more, it supports hundreds of file formats, such as images, videos, contacts, texts, memos, etc. Due to the compatibility of dozens of devices, it is very suitable for Apple users.

Professional iOS Data Recovery - Renee iPhone Recovery Renee iPhone Recovery software

Easy to GoOnly with a few steps, you can find back data from iOS devices.

3 Recovery SelectionsSupport to recover data from iOS devices, iTunes backup and iCloud backup files.

Multiple Files SupportedSupport to recover photos, videos, contacts, notes, call history, ect.

Compatible with: Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP (32bit/64bit)

Easy to GoOnly with a few steps, you can find back data from iOS devices.

3 Recovery SelectionsSupport to recvoer data from iOS devices, iTunes backup and iCloud backup files.

Multiple Files SupportedSupport to recover photos, videos, contacts, notes, call history, ect.

How to use Renee iPhone Recovery?

It only takes three steps to get back the lost data from iPhone with Renee iPhone Recovery.

Step 1: Download and install Renee iPhone Recovery in the computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer. Select [Recover Lost Data].

manage iphone to restore photos from itunes backup

Step 2: Select [Recover from iOS Device] at the left side. Continue to click on [Start Scan].

how to recover deleted history on iphone safari restore iphone from itunes backup

Step 3: After the scan, select the target photos to recover and click on [Recover].

restore iphone playlists and photos from itunes backup

Part 2: How to View iTunes Backup?

You can delete the backup files in the folder, not in iTunes. But this method is not recommended. Once you operate improperly, the important backup files will be deleted or damaged.

1. View on Windows

The backup files are usually saved in C disk. Please search [MobileSync] within the disk and the file named [Backup] is the backup files.

find the backup files on windows to change itunes backup location

In addition, try to find the iTunes backup files in these paths:

iTunes backup files in Windows XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

iTunes backup files in Windows 7/8/10 (set to view the hidden files beforehand):

C:Users\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

2. View on Mac

Generally, the iTunes backup files are stored in "/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup" by default. You can delete the iTunes backup files in this folder.

Note: This method is still not recommended. You can view the iTunes backup files in this way but you shall delete them via iTunes.