Customer Support

Using TouchCopy with devices containing encrypted iTunes backup data.

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Summary

Using TouchCopy with Encrypted iTunes Backups

  1. Install TouchCopy on your computer.
  2. Connect your device via USB.
  3. Enter your backup encryption password when prompted.
  4. Once unlocked, you can copy data from your device as normal.

If you’ve previously created an encrypted iPhone backup using iTunes, Apple Devices, or Finder, TouchCopy will need that password to access your messages and other encrypted data. The password is used only to unlock your backup — TouchCopy does not save or share it.

Save messages to PC from iPhone backup

TouchCopy can also use encrypted backups created on Macs which don't use iTunes. If you use a Mac running macOS Catalina or higher, the backup encryption option can be found in the Finder app when your iPhone is connected.
How to create an encrypted iPhone backup

Understanding iTunes Device Backups and Encryption

When you connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your iTunes library - iTunes will make a backup of all the data on your device and store it locally on your PC. This data includes your contacts, messages, notes, calendars etc.

Optionally, you can specify that iTunes should encrypt this backup for additional security of your data. When you opt to encrypt your devices backup data, iTunes asks you to create a password.

The screenshot below shows the area within iTunes where these settings are made...

How to remove encryption from iPhone.

Removing Encryption from your backup

TouchCopy is able to read encrypted backups (see below), however, you can remove password encryption by clicking on the "Encrypt iPhone Backup" checkbox in iTunes. iTunes will ask you to enter your existing backup password before removing encryption.

Forgot your backup encryption password for your device? Find out how to reset your password or remove backup encryption.

Enter encrypted backup password

Using TouchCopy and Devices with Encrypted Backup Data

TouchCopy is able to view data on encrypted devices, however, you need to provide TouchCopy the password you used to when opting to encrypt this data using iTunes.

TouchCopy will detect that the data on your device is encrypted and prompt you to enter the backup encryption password...

Save messages to Mac from iPhone backup

Note that you will not need to enter your password when viewing Music, Photos, Apps or Files on your iOS device, as these data types are not protected under backup encryption.

You will not need to enter a password at all for non-iOS based devices. (i.e. iPod Classic, iPod nano etc.).

For Your Privacy and Security

TouchCopy only uses your backup encryption password for the sole purpose of reading the data you require from your device. The password is not stored in any location on your computer or elsewhere. You will be required to enter your password again if you restart TouchCopy.

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Publisher: Wide Angle Software