I just got a new HP laptop with 512 GB of storage, and I'm trying to back up my phone using iTunes. However, it keeps failing because my iPad doesn't have enough storage space. Upon checking, I found that the Apple > MobileSync > Backup folder on my laptop is taking up 305 GB! On top of that, I've added an additional 93 GB of photos for backup, leaving me with just 1 GB of free space on my computer. I'm confused about what this 305 GB is from. Could it be leftover files from several failed backup attempts? Since I've had connection issues during previous backups, I'm wondering if it's safe to delete the entire backup folder and try backing up my phone again.
2 Answers
Your backup size is likely due to all the data from your old iPhone. If you downloaded all your photos and videos instead of using iCloud Photos, the backup size would definitely grow. But yes, if you don't need those old backups anymore, you can delete the folder and try backing up your phone again!
The MobileSync folder contains all your iPhone backups. It can get pretty large, especially if you keep multiple backups without overwriting them. I rename my backups to keep track of different iOS versions. Just remember, if you delete that folder, you'll lose those backups, but it seems like you're okay with that. Good luck with your new phone!
I totally understand that! I've been trying to keep track of versions too, but it's a hassle with how often apps get updated.