I'm creating iPhone backups with the Apple Devices app on Windows and need to store several backups for multiple phones. My system drive doesn't have enough space, so I'd like to move the backup data to an external drive. I found a folder named 00008110-000C5D2E02C1401E under C:UsersusernameAppleMobileSyncBackup. If I move that folder back to the same Backup directory later, will Apple Devices recognize it? Do I need to use a symbolic link for backups to remain on the external drive, and is the older iTunes approach still valid compared with Apple Devices?
2 Answers
If you only move a backup temporarily and put the device folder back in the exact expected Backup directory, Apple Devices should generally be able to detect it. However, if you want current and future backups to stay on the external drive, moving the folder alone isn’t enough. You’ll need to redirect the entire Backup directory with a symbolic link or junction, then make sure the external drive is connected and assigned the same drive letter whenever you use Apple Devices.
Apple Devices is the current Windows app for managing iPhone backups, so you don’t need to switch to iTunes just for this. The important part is using the backup location that Apple Devices expects. A symbolic link or junction from C:UsersusernameAppleMobileSyncBackup to a matching folder on the external drive lets the app continue using its normal path while the data is stored elsewhere. Test the setup with one phone first and confirm that the backup appears and can be restored before moving all your existing backups.
iTunes may still work on some systems, but using Apple Devices is the safer choice if that’s the app you’ll use for the new backups. Keeping the same directory structure also avoids mixing backup formats or locations unnecessarily.
That makes sense. I need the backups to stay on the external drive because I’ll be creating backups for several phones, so keeping the drive connected and using a directory link sounds like the better setup.