Question

iPhone backup: forgot password - what to do?

Answer 1

Find backup password
1st step
2nd step
Here's what to do if you can't find your password anymore
1st step
2nd step
3rd step
4th step
5th step
6th step
Quick guide: Create a new backup

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We explain here how to reset the backup password of your encrypted iPhone backup..

Image: <span> Shutterstock / New Africa </span>

If you have forgotten the password for an encrypted backup of your iPhone, you can no longer use this backup to restore with iTunes. In these instructions we will show you how you can still get your password and how you can reset the backup settings in order to then create a new backup.

• Find backup password
• Here's what to do if you can't find your password anymore

Find backup password

Before you reset the password, you should double-check that it has not been saved in a password manager . If you use a Mac, it might also be worth looking for the password in your keyring :

1st step

To Open the " Keychain Access " that in the " Programs " folder under " Utilities find". In the menu bar at the top left, first select “ Registration ” and “ All objects ” at the bottom . Enter “ iOS Backup ” in the search bar at the top right and press [Enter] . If you cannot find a relevant result, click on " iCloud " in the menu bar above and search again.

2nd step

Find a relevant password, click with the right mouse button on it and choose " password to clipboard ". When restoring the password, paste it into iTunes (or in the Finder for newer macOS versions).

Here's what to do if you can't find your password anymore

If you can't find the iPhone backup password, you can only create a new backup. To do this, reset the internal backup settings on iPhones or iPads with iOS 11 or later by resetting the settings of your iPhone or iPad to the factory settings.
This means that, among other things, the arrangement of the apps on your home screen, created alarm clocks or customized notification options are reset. However, passwords saved in iCloud and all data from apps are retained.
After that, you will still not be able to access the old backup, but you can at least create a new backup. The old backup remains on your computer for the time being, even if you can no longer use it without a password.

Follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the quick start guide ..

1st step

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad , scroll down a little and tap on General .

2nd step

Scroll down here and tap on “ Reset ”.

3rd step

Then go to " Reset all settings ", enter the code of your device and confirm.

4th step

Before you create a new backup, you should at least as far as possible manually restore the settings to the way they were before the reset. This saves them directly in the new backup. Then connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and create a new backup in iTunes or the Finder .

5th step

If you then want to delete the old backup, open the overview page of your iPhone or iPad in iTunes or in the Finder. Click on " Manage backups ... ".

6th step

This will open a window with an overview of all iOS backups that are on your computer. There are now two backups of your iPhone or iPad in the list, which you can distinguish on the basis of the creation date. Select the older one , click on " Delete " and confirm.

Quick guide: Create a new backup

1. Open the “ General ” area in the “ Settings ”.
2. At the bottom, tap Reset .
3. Select “ Reset all settings ”, enter your code and confirm.
4. You will then have to manually restore the settings . Then connect your device to a computer and create a new backup .
5. To delete the old backup, open the overview page of your iPhone or iPad in iTunes or in the Finder. Click on " Manage backups ... ".
6. Select the older backup from the list and click on " Delete "

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