How to Remove Encrypt Local Backup Password from iTunes

This guide will tell you how to remove encrypt local backup password from iTunes. Whether you remember your password or not, you'll find a way here.

Lena by Lena Updated June 30, 2023
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How do I remove encrypt local backup password?

I want to back up my phone to my computer. At some point in the past, I turned on the encrypted backup option. Now I have forgotten the password. I am not interested in accessing the previous encrypted backups stored on my computer, but I would like to be able to start over and back up my phone without the password. How can I do this?

- Question from Apple Community

Can you remove encrypt local backup password?

When backing up your iOS device using iTunes, you have the option to encrypt the backup to keep your information secure. However, if you have encrypted your iPhone or iPad backups with a password, you will need to enter the password each time you want to restore the backup using iTunes.

If you find this process inconvenient, you can remove the password. However, what if you forget or lose your iPhone encrypted backup password? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward method to remove encrypt local backup password. Nevertheless, there are solutions available! Here in this guide, I’ll tell you everything about how to remove local backup password from iTunes.

How to remove encrypt local backup password from iTunes

To avoid being prompted for a password every time you want to access your iOS device backups, you may want to consider disabling the encryption feature in iTunes. Thankfully, iTunes provides the flexibility to enable or disable encryption for your backups. Simply make the choice and future backups won't require a password.

To remove encrypt local backup password from iTunes, follow these steps:

1. Connect your iOS device to your computer using a USB cable and open iTunes

2. Click the Device tab and go to Summary.

3. Locate the "Backups" section and deselect the Encrypt Local Backup option.

4. As a security measure, you will be prompted to enter the original password you set in order to confirm the removal of encryption.

Disable  Encrypt Local Backup

How to remove encrypt local backup password without old password

If you happen to forget your password, that's understandable since we don't generally use it very often. Additionally, future backups will automatically be encrypted without requiring the password. This makes it easy to forget if you don't have it written down somewhere as a reference.

According to Apple, if you happen to lose or forget the password and wish to create a new backup, there is no way to disable the Encrypt Backup feature. However, you do have two choices in this case:

🔧 The first option is to reset all settings on iPhone, thereby removing the encrypted iPhone backup password, and then create a new backup with encryption enabled.
🔧 Or, you can use a third-party backup tool to backup your iPhone. With this option, you can choose whether to encrypt the backup or leave it unencrypted.

Option 1. Remove encrypt local backup

Apple does not offer a direct option to remove local backup password from iTunes. Nonetheless, there is a workaround available that allows you to achieve this task through simple steps. To disable encrypted backups on your iPhone or iPad, you can reset all device settings.

If your device has updated to iOS 11 and later, then you can choose to reset all settings to remove local backup password from iTunes. After that, you can make a new backup. However, please note that you will not be able to access the previous encrypted backups.

1. Launch the Settings app on your device, then tap the "General" option.

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and select "Reset". In iOS 15 and later, you should choose "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > "Reset".

3. On the reset device screen, locate and tap "Reset All Settings".

Reset All Settings

When you reset your iPhone settings, it won't delete your user data. However, it will restore the original settings for display brightness, Home screen layout, and wallpaper. Once that is done, you can reconnect your iPhone to iTunes and generate a new backup without encryption.

Option 2. Backup iPhone with FoneTool

When it comes to backing up your iPhone, many users automatically think of iTunes since it is Apple's official solution. However, the truth is that iTunes is not the only choice. There are quite a few third-party backup software options available to help you accomplish this task efficiently.

If you do not want to lose any settings on iPhone, consider giving FoneTool a try for your iPhone backup needs. This software provides a superior alternative, allowing you to have complete control over your backups.

Whether you want to back up your entire iPhone or just specific files, FoneTool has got you covered.
One of the great features of FoneTool is the ability to preview each item before creating a backup. This allows you to select and back up only the data that you truly need, saving time and storage space.
Additionally, FoneTool enables you to easily view and locate your backed-up data on your computer. This accessibility ensures that you can quickly retrieve any information you may need.
Worried about restoring your backup files without losing any existing data on your iPhone? FoneTool has got you covered once again. With FoneTool, you can restore backup files to your iPhone without having to delete anything.

Give FoneTool a try today and experience the ease and efficiency it brings to iPhone backups. To create a full backup of your iPhone, follow the steps below:

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1. Download, install and launch FoneTool. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.

2. Once the software is up and running, navigate to the home interface. In the left pane, click "Phone Backup" >  From the options presented, select "Full Backup" >To initiate the process, click "Get Started".

Full Backup

3. To ensure the security of your private data, you can enable backup encryption. This will protect sensitive information such as fitness records, health data, and the keychain. It's OK if you do not want to turn it on.

Enable backup encryption

4. Next, choose a suitable location to store the backup, whether it's a specific folder on your computer, an external hard drive, or a USB flash drive.

5. Once you've made your selection, click "Start Backup" to start the backup process.

Start Backup

When you just want to backup important data, you can choose Selective Backup and select the files you need.

Selective Backup

FoneTool also supports data transfer between iPhone and computer. If needed, you can go to Phone Transfer to transfer the files you need.

Phone Transfer

Final words

That's all about how to remove encrypt local backup password from iTunes. Usually, you can uncheck the Encrypt Local Backup box to turn off the encryption. If you find yourself unable to recall your initial encryption password, you can reset all settings on iPhone to remove encrypt backup password. Or you can use FoneTool to help you backup your device.

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