[Stepwise Tutorial] How to Encrypt iTunes Backup

Should I encrypt iTunes backup?

As a multimedia application developed by Apple Inc, iTunes is used for playing, organizing, and managing various forms of digital media. And it also helps you to create a full iPhone backup on a computer. 

And you may know iTunes support encrypted backup, and you wonder if it is necessary to enable the backup encryption.

Failure to encrypt your iPhone backup leaves your device's data unprotected by a password. Consequently, unauthorized individuals gaining access to your unencrypted backup could potentially view and exploit sensitive information, including contacts, messages, and photos.

Furthermore, storing an unencrypted backup online or on a shared computer exposes it to risks such as hacking or data breaches. So it is advisable to create the encryption of your iPhone backup to safeguard personal and sensitive data effectively.

Note:✎...

iTunes is no longer available on Mac. If you are a Mac user, you can encrypt your backup with the Finder on your Macbook.

How to encrypt iTunes backup?

To begin, launch iTunes on your computer. In case you don't have iTunes installed, you can download it from the official Apple website. Here are steps on how to encrypt iPhone backup in iTunes:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. If prompted, enter your device passcode or to Trust This Computer.

Step 2. Once your device is connected, locate and select it within the iTunes interface.

Step 3. Click Summary > Choose the Encrypt local backup checkbox and create a memorable password.

Step 4. Tap on Back Up Now. When the process ends, you can verify the success of the backup by checking the backup details. You'll see the date and time of your last backup.

Then you can wait for the backup process to get finished and “how to encrypt iTunes backup” can be solved easily. When you need to restore the backup. You can connect the targeted device and tap “Restore Backup” to restore it. Then you will be asked to enter the password, so please remember the password.

How to remove iTunes encrypted backup password

If you are aware of the password for your iTunes backup, you can easily disable backup encryption. So long as uncheck the "Encrypt local backup" checkbox in iTunes and enter the password, then the password can be removed.

What to do when I forget my iTunes encrypted password?

Some people may want to know how to restore encrypted iTunes backup if you forget your password. But it’s a terrible thing that you can’t restore an encrypted backup without its password.

With iOS 11 or later, you can make a new encrypted backup of your device by resetting the password. If your device is running an earlier iOS version or you don’t want to reset your settings, you can turn to the next part to easily back up your iPhone without encryption.

FoneTool: A better way to back up your iPhone  

If “how to encrypt iTunes backup” troubles you a lot, why not try to use a better iTunes alternative? Now allow us to present an efficient and cost-free iPhone data management tool - FoneTool.

With this tool, you can back up your iPhone/iPad with/without encryption in a user-friendly interface. And it lets you easily change and delete your passwords. If you forget your backup passwords, it also offers a selective backup way to back up important data without entering backup passwords.

There are two ways to backup your iPhone:

• Full Backup: Back up all content and enable backup encryption.

• Selective Backup: Selectively back up photos, music, contacts, etc. without any password.

Next, you can download this tool, we will show you how to fully (encrypt) back up and how to selectively back up without encryption. Choose one according to your need.

How to encrypt iPhone backup via full backup:

Step 1. Turn on FoneTool on your PC > Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable > Click Trust on your iPhone.

Step 2. Choose Phone Backup > Full Backup > Click on Get Started.

Step 3. Enable backup encryption> Set the backup password> Click OK.

Step 4. Select the storage path > Tap Start Backup to begin the task.

Wait for a while, and when the backup is finished, you can go to Backup History to check your backup.

How to selectively back up your iPhone

Step 1. Choose Phone Backup > Selective Backup > Get Started.

Step 2. Choose the data you need to back up, here we take photos backup as an example. Then click OK.

Step 3. Select a storage path to save the backup. Click Start Backup.

How to manage encrypted backup password

To change or remove your backup password, navigate to the Phone Backup section and select the blue button to make it.

Notes:✎...

Once you have changed the password, it is crucial to remember the new password as it will be required for future backup, restoration, and data transfer processes.

After deleting the backup password of your iPhone, the next data transfer will not require password verification. However, it's important to understand that the access code within the previous backup file cannot be erased.

If you forget the password, you can back up and restore your important iPhone data with Selective Backup or reset your setting as mentioned in the first part.

Conclusion

After browsing the article, hope you can get the appropriate method to figure out “how to encrypt iTunes backup”. If you are interested in the iTunes alternative - FoneTool, you can find that it’s more than an iPhone data management tool.

You can also use the software to transfer contacts from iPhone to Google Pixel, just like an AirDrop. And there are more features worth experiencing.

FoneTool - All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

Transfer, backup and manage data on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in an easy way.

• iOS 17 Compatible
• iPhone 15 Supported

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