How to Change iTunes Backup Location on Windows/Mac (3 Methods)

Why Change iTunes Backup Location?

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.

Method 1. Change iTunes Backup Location on Windows PC

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 iTunes Backup on Windows 11/Windows 10?

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.

Simple Steps to Change the Location of iTunes Backup on Windows

Follow the steps below to learn how to change the iTunes backup location.

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.

Method 2. Move iTunes Backup Location on Mac

On a Mac, you can also move the iTunes backup location to move your backups to another drive.

Where is iPhone Backup on Mac?

On macOS, iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later) stores backups in the following directory:

/Users/[Your Username]/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

Steps to Change iTunes Backup Location on Mac

Now, learn how to move iTunes backup location to another drive or folder to manage your space more efficiently.

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.

Method 3. Better Alternative for Flexible iPhone to PC Backups

While changing iTunes backup locations requires technical steps, FoneTool provides a user-friendly alternative with enhanced backup management.

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.

FAQs on iTunes Backup

Conclusion

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.