Running out of storage on your main drive? This guide will show you exactly how to change iTunes backup location on both Windows and Mac. Plus, discover FoneTool - an easier way to manage iPhone backups with custom locations.
If your primary drive is running low on free space, it might be wise to learn how to change iTunes backup location. So can you move iTunes backup to another drive? Whether you use a PC or a Mac, you can move iTunes backups to a custom location to optimize storage.
This guide provides detailed steps to findiTunes backup on Windows and Mac systems, and explains how to set custom iTunes backup locations. Additionally, it offers a superior alternative for comprehensive iPhone backup management.
On your Windows, just follow a few simple steps to learn how to change backup location of iTunes. iTunes backs up your data to a default directory, so you can move this backup to another drive or folder to change it.
Where is iPhone backup stored on PC? By default, iTunes stores backups in this directory:
Windows 11/10: C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
Access this location via Start Menu Search or directly through File Explorer.
Follow the steps below to learn how to change the iTunes backup location.
📝Note:
Step 1. Create a new folder on your desired drive (e.g., "D:\iTunes Backup").
Step 2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Win + X).
Step 3. Type the following command to create a symbolic link that points the iTunes backup folder to the new location.
mklink /J "C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup" "D:\iTunes Backup"
Stpe 4. Replace the second path with your new folder location.
Step 4. Restart computer - future backups will save to the new location.
On a Mac, you can also move the iTunes backup location to move your backups to another drive.
On macOS, iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later) stores backups in the following directory:
/Users/[Your Username]/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
Now, learn how to move iTunes backup location to another drive or folder to manage your space more efficiently.
📝Note:
Step 1. Create a new folder on your external drive (e.g., "iTunes Backups").
Step 2. Open Terminal (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
Step 3. Then enter the following command to the window. It can redirect iTunes backup files to the new folder.
ln -s /Volumes/[External Drive]/iTunes \ Backup /Users/[Username]/Library/Application\Support/MobileSync/Backup
Step 4. Press Enter and provide admin password if prompted.
Step 5. Restart Mac - backups will now save to the new location.
While changing iTunes backup locations requires technical steps, FoneTool provides a user-friendly alternative with enhanced backup management.
Powerful iPhone data management tool to backup iPhone without iTunes or icloud
100% Secure
Step 1. Download and launch FoneTool > Connect iPhone via USB cable.
Step 2. Navigate to Phone Backup > Choose Selective Backup (or Full Backup).
Step 3. Click file icons to preview and select specific data types.
Step 4. Click Backup Storage Path to set custom location > Click Start Backup.
Performance Note: FoneTool backs up 100+ photos in approximately 3 seconds. Access all backups via My Backups section for viewing or restoration.
Yes, the symbolic link method moves future backups only. Existing backups remain in their original location unless manually moved.
Absolutely. Both the symbolic link method and FoneTool support external drives, network storage, and other external media.
Yes, delete the symbolic link and iTunes will automatically return to using the default backup location.
Yes, FoneTool supports both encrypted and unencrypted backups with flexible location options.
Changing iTunes backup location on Windows or Mac requires technical steps like creating symbolic links through Command Prompt or Terminal. For a more user-friendly solution, FoneTool provides superior backup management with customizable locations, selective backup options, and intuitive operation.
Beyond iPhone selective backup, FoneTool enables complete iPhone data transfer between devices and computers. Download FoneTool today for streamlined iPhone data management.