How To Change iTunes Backup Location In Windows 11/10

By default, iPhone backup on Windows PC goes into the C drive, which takes up a lot of space. You can change the iTunes backup location On Windows 11/10 to save space in the C drive. By doing so, you can backup your iPhone to any other disk partition or external disk. The process is easy; you just need to follow 3 steps only.
How to change iPhone Backup location in Windows 10/11.
1. Find the iTunes backup location on your PC.
2. Move the Backup folder to the desired location.
3. Create a Symbolic link between two locations.
iPhone Backup Location on Windows 11/10
If you have installed iTunes from Apple.com
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
If you have installed iTunes from Microsoft Store-
C:\Users\Username\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\
Commands to create Symbolic link -
Downloaded from Apple.com
mklink /J "C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\" "e:\NewBackupFolder\"
Downloaded from Windows Store
mklink /J "C:\Users\Username\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\" "e:\NewBackupFolder\"
replace your username, drive letter, and new backup folder name.
Read in more details, or you face any issue - www.itechfever...
#iphonebackup #itunesbackup
Disclaimer:- It is advised to create a system restore point or take a complete backup of your device before you follow any tutorials. All tutorials are verified ways to fix, customize, or fine-tune your devices; just in case, take a full backup. This video does not take any expressed or implied guarantee of any particular result.
Some links might be affiliate links, and I may earn some commissions on your purchase without any extra cost to you.
Any data, IP, emails, and files shown in videos are for demonstration purposes only and do not belong to any third person or entity.
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[@sandeepsingh18]

Have any errors or problems? Read here - www.itechfever.com/change-itunes-backup-location-in-windows-11-10/

[@DIPUSUR]

Thanks buddy

[@gvidice]

Hi can you help by any desk I try all

[@brunixot1]

it doesn't have to be this difficult, it should be an option on itunes to choose where you want your backup

[@gspeth]

Exactly!!

[@dya1990]

15 years later and it's still not there 😑🙄

[@blubblubblup]

they want people to buy icloud storage :/

[@brunixot1]

@@blubblubblup well I’m not goin to buy sh* t

[@AntiJahl]

​@@blubblubblupyup😢

[@birdlawco]

ok i'm usually really skeptical when it comes to tutorial videos like this, but this was really easy to follow and helpful! thank you :)

[@AllanVLOGSS]

Probably because he's Indian, right? Haha

[@karolinuh]

thank you omg!!! none of the written tutorials i was following even mentioned the fact that you had to copy and paste the backup folder first

[@Bettermediaoptions]

It's insane Apple makes it this difficult. This video solved my issue completely. Only thing I would note is I used their website to download it (06/05/2024), and the prompt for if you downloaded it from the Windows store was what worked for me. I just looked through where my folder was and typed the locations myself, worked like a charm. Thanks!

[@farmerfg123]

It didn't work the first time as I "copied and pasted" the old backup directory rather than "cut", but second time with no user error it all all worked seamlessly. Great tutorial video. Thank you!

[@jajvzap]

Hello, thank you very much for your video, I just have a question, after finish of the steps described in the video, if I need to install a back up in my iphone, the Itunes program will search the back up into the new folder created? Thank you.

[@mattleo5612]

Well done. If you are getting an error saying this file already exists you probably copy and pasted the original back up folder....you need to cut it like he says in the video. Thank you Sandeep great tutorial

[@IntoTheWildArab]

Unexpectedly lifesaver. I watched the tutorial thinking it was just clickbait, I was wrong. Thanks mate.

[@Lendrake]

I had trouble understanding the process from other sites - I did not know to completely cut the Backup folder from the C: drive and then paste it in the E: Drive. The command line was giving me erros saying that the file already existed - but thanks to you, I was able to realize my mistake, and it seems to be working now!

[@faqihtaqi3669]

bro, how you solved the problem?

[@deceiv-ed]

@@faqihtaqi3669 After you cut and paste the "Backups" folder into another drive, go back to it in the C: drive and delete it. Then go to your CMD and type in exactly what he says to do in the video and it should work.

[@mingming6025]

@@faqihtaqi3669same question 😢

[@scarredgaruga]

@@faqihtaqi3669 this is over a year old but if anyone have these issues, you have to CUT or move the backup folder from the original C location, to your preferred location.

[@swapgarage3338]

Thank you that was helpful , can you make a video on how to view the files in the backup? Thanks.

[@darockk]

nice video. do you know why windows creates a new backup when doing an ipad restore? it means you requires enough free space on the hard drive when doing a restore and the free space must be at least the same size of the backup.

[@mingming6025]

I followed the 3 steps as you mentioned but when it came to 06:18 , which connect my iPhone with iTunes again, the process of syncing my iPhone ( waiting for sync to start) . Does it mean it doesn’t work for me? I mean the backup file was not actually being moved at all? 😢

[@luckykhiyani8906]

Cannot create a file when that file already exists. This issue is showing in Command Prompt, what to do now???

[@johnfrost55]

You may have run the command and it worked, therefore it is saying you already have a link. Try deleting the original file, which should be a link now. Then run the mklink command again.

[@NoufalEdappal]

Please delete the last folder from source

[@JakeKetty]

Delete the file called Backup in your user/apple folder

[@aviakids]

Thank you very much. works very well. finally my iphone is back on

[@A2hleyH]

I hadn't backed up my phone to my computer for over 2 years because I didn't have space on my C drive. I wish I found out this trick sooner!

[@jim5972]

Superb, very helpful. Didn't work when I used Powershell(Admin) to run the command but worked fine when I used CMD (Admin). Many thanks Sandeep.

[@sweeseng85]

may check error " Cannot create a file when that file already exists" , where goes wrog ...

[@bahrain1710]

WHEN I USE THE CODE IT IS SAYING can't creat a file when it is already exists, i tried to delete any old files but the same

[@ericleeSupSayK]

When you create a symbolic link, how it use the storage on the c drive because it is technically still there or it only use storage of the new drive?

[@kousji4471]

i usually dont comment, but thank you so much! had stumbled upon a lot of articles and it was very hard to understand just from that. appreciate this!!

[@viramarysey8738]

i did created a path from disk C to disc D, it says junction created, but when i tried to back up phone, Itunes said "Itunes could not back up the iphone because the back up was corrupt", i did deleted the old back up from preferences Devices , did not resolve the issue

[@JeremyBednarski]

Hi Sandeep, I followed the direction and got it to back up to the new D drive, but it's also still backing it up to the C drive too. Should it be doing that? How do I get it to only back up on the D drive? Thanks.

[@Dude_with_beard]

Super helpful - thanks for this!

[@abdullahkhan57]

Thank you!! Worked beautifully!!

[@h0pliment]

Great walk-through and explanation of the process!

[@kshitijsonavne]

Hey, Thanx for this, want to know if this restores also.

[@bettyphan1562]

thanks so much for the great tutorials! i got error "file already exists" when creating symbolic link, how do I fix it?

[@babaknamdari155]

Excellent video! Great work! Saved me a lot of trouble for figuring out how to save my iPhone backup on a separate drive. Shame on Apple on not providing the option of specifying the destination backup location and kudos on you for sharing such brilliant idea! Thank you

[@rogerrivera3268]

Hi I did everything but when I did the first backup it created a backup folder on “c” drive again and now I have 2 backups 1 on “e”drive and 1 on “c” drive Can you help please

[@rogerrivera3268]

I just notice that I did it wrong This is what I did My computer user is “1” mklink/J "C/Users/1/Apple\MobileSync/I tunes Backup/"e/NewBackupFolder/" How can I fix it?

[@ampoyoy]

Can you do tutorial for iCloud Photos as well? No way to change default drive from c: users pictures folder.

[@ahhsgvr]

Thank you, this is so helpful. I went to the Apple forums and it was not clear

[@patriciaromita8261]

very easy to follow tutorial. thank you Sandeep Singh!

[@tammah]

Just tried this today and it worked like a charm. Thank you!

[@luminousfish8624]

Thank you. This is the best explanation I have seen and it works! Not sure why Apple is making it so difficult, just like how they are forcing customers to pay for 2TB iCloud if 200GB is exceeded. There is nothing inbetween!😅

[@gvidice]

Hi I make all like you descript and now I have on 2. location backup is possible that not make on C

[@BapakRumahTangga1]

how about the restore, Is it smooth like backup?

[@alexvwes123]

Hello there Sandeep! Works like a charm, thank you so much for uploading. I was struggling with this for some years now… was almost ready to buy a new laptop with a huge SSD drive to overcome the issue 😂😂😂

[@pavlohryhoriichuk6848]

Thanks.Hello from Ukraine)

[@braaitime592]

Sandeep, hi Thank you for the video its a massive help, I have ran into a slight difficulty, I get a message saying the system cannot find the path, just checking is there any spaces in the command prompt not sure if its there where Im going wrong thanks

[@rihamission487]

I got this too. Because I was putting my username wrong. It's not always what it shows in the startmenu. What you need to do is go to your previous backup location and copy the address directly from the addressbar. It worked for me. Hope it helps.

[@orel0067]

Can I do it with an external drive ?

[@wfumbt]

Your instructions were very clear. I moved my backup file to the D: drive and created a symbolic link on the C: drive. Since iTunes does not recognize my iPhone I have to use the Apple Devices App. But, when I tried to back up through Apple Devices, I got a message "Could not back up the iPhone because the backup was corrupt." Does Apple Devices App not use symbolic links? I welcome your feedback. Thank you.

[@zeco502]

Thank you bro great tutorial, even when getting an error I followed your instructions in your pinned comment. great work 👍👍

[@sriyansdugar3282]

How to get it restored from the drive to iPhone? If we give restore from iTunes will it get restored from the drive to iPhone? Or else we need to give command?

[@SLDarkWolf]

Can you plz tell me how to reverse this interlink?

[@jhersonbofill7386]

Hello, I've done the steps but I'm still having problems with it. When I do the backup on iTunes it has an error message saying "iTunes could not back up the iPhone because the backup was corrupt". Do you have any insights on this matter? Thank you!

[@nasschk593]

same problm

[@drizzlydr4ke]

same, any fix?

[@NinjaGaming-ck2mu]

Bro during restoration will it restore all my data properly? as u have created a inter link

[@kpowar1316]

How do I remove the symbolic link? It is not working how I expected it too. Also will it affect any of the files?

[@mattromero316]

Worked flawlessly! Thank you.

[@richardcetinic916]

Many thanks!! works a treat!!

[@kamranbhatti1673]

Hi Sandeep Thanks for the great tutorial, I am nearly done, have created a backup folder on external driver but unable to link ,on command prompt this is the message I get "C:\WINDOWS\system32> mklink /J "C:\Users\Lenovo\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\ " "My Passport (E:)\iphoneitunesBackup\" Cannot create a file when that file already exists." Can you please help with this

[@octavialdonw]

it should be mklink /J "C:\Users\Lenovo\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\ " "E:\iphoneitunesBackup\"

[@goodwin1596]

There is not enough space in C drive to initiate the backup, i need to directly do it to another drive, any ways?

[@mohitvarshney8875]

Thanks bro it’s work for me.😊❤

[@kartrj6831]

Thank you. You guided so well.

[@spacewolf9596]

I keep getting cannnot create a file when that file already exists, what should i do?

[@rhandytolomia4892]

Me too :-(

[@AliImran-ls4zp]

dont copy cut the backup file which is in appdata/roaming/apple/mobilesync etc, and then paste it in desired drive and change its name to itunesbackup or w.e u want, then try it.

[@mingming6025]

@@AliImran-ls4zp in the first sentence , could you please clarify if you mean “ don’t copy “ Or“ don’t cut” the back up file?😮

[@AliImran-ls4zp]

@@mingming6025 hi sorry, I meant, Don't copy the backup file/folder instead use cut option ctrl+x. Hope it helps :)

[@mingming6025]

@@AliImran-ls4zp Thanks a lot👍👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@333Conciousness]

Unfortunately I'm receiving an error message: "'mlink' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file." Any suggestions?

[@JosephWalsh-b8u]

Thank you, worked like a charm. I have so much more space on my PC. I appreciate your video.

[@alessiomarcolongo7558]

Hi Sandeep, thank you very much. Your explanation was great and effective. I managed to move and link the new location in no time 🙂

[@juliusq2674]

You are a real legend, it worked perfectly! Keep up the good work

[@S.shamal]

Sorry I have a question, When your Local Disk (E) [New backup location] is also getting full and I want to get backup my other iPhone in the new location, how to change the location?

[@EddyGoyanes]

Solid video. Worked like a charm. Thank you!

[@sandeepsingh18]

Glad it helped!

[@verdeests]

I went through your write up, but i encounter a new issue, i get the error " Itunes could not back up the iphone because the back up was corrupt" if you can help with this one please, also this is after i did your steps multiple times but i still get that message.

[@lalithmailipilli]

Great video. Thank you for teaching the process to do this easily.

[@kj005]

Hi, my C Drive is almost full but my external hard drive is not. I want to back up into my external hard drive, would C drive being almost full cause an issue. And do I need to create a shortcut again on command prompt? Because I backed up onto external hard drive a few years ago already. Would it keep / remember the shortcut . Thanks

[@sandeepsingh18]

Once you change the backup location it will remember, however if the external drive name changes then you have to re-assign it.

[@dInesh91100]

How to retrieve the backed up photos using ITunes ?

[@iambilalamjad]

Yes it's work... I have build symbolic link from windows ssd drive to other hdd drive to restore my iphone and it works. Process was slow may be due to hdd drive. Help... Can i also create symbolic link from windows ssd to my usb drive with same procedure?

[@rybobuno]

How would I reverse this? I did this once when I had limited space but I have more space now and want he backups back on my faster drive.

[@calvinshupe9094]

i was able to set up the link but when i would go to back up my phone , it says that the iphone back up is correct, not sure what to do

[@davenoble21]

Thank you for creating this and making it so easy to follow. I dont know why Apple didnt just make a settings option for this.

[@MikeCheckStudios]

That did the trick, thank you! I got almost 100GB of my C drive back.

[@syedtipu8347]

I couldn't backup my 1 time because i don't have enough space in my c drive is there any other option that i can change my 1st time backup location?

[@Blackpanther26939]

Junction is created but when I m trying to backup it’s saying “ iTunes could not back up the iPhone because an error occurred while reading from or writing to the iPhone.

[@Yahir_s._]

Thank You Jesus! If Weren’t People Like You We Would Have To Upgrade Storage on Our Devices

[@fugitivefactor]

thank you for clear explanations! works!

[@larten1258]

Thank you so much !!!!!!! It's work for me and I subscribe your Chanel I love you bro!!!!

[@SumedhKashiwar2109]

Thank you Very Much Sir...... One of the Best ever Video for Solving the Backup Issue.

[@NiLiN-1]

very clean tutorial , much appreciated brother

[@Gabriel_Bull]

I followed the whole procedure and successfully linked my new D:/iTunesbackup to the old C:\users\(my name)\Apple\MobileSync\backup . However, when I use iTunes to backup my iphone, backup files appear on both C Drive and D Drive. If I delete the files in C Drive, the corresponding files in D Drive are also deleted. Could someone advise me what I have done wrong? Thank you.

[@Gabriel_Bull]

Sorry, this is jut a link. Problem has beed solved. Thank you.

[@mingming6025]

@@Gabriel_Bull I encounter the same problems. The back up data appear in both C Drive and E Drive at the same time, is it normal? Should the back up folder in C DRIVE be empty and no data stored inside? I am very confused. Please advise 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😫😫🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@bennugent4426]

I'm experiencing the same problem. I don't have enough space on my C Drive and it's installing to both, slowing my computer right down

[@grafzwerg]

Can i also drag my backup to another harddrive after making it on my C-Drive?

[@sandeepsingh18]

Yes, you can but there will be problems for further backups and restore.

[@grafzwerg]

@@sandeepsingh18 oh that sounds lovely. I somehow managed to screw every tutorial up i ve watched regarding the topic of moving itunes backups. I ve either got messages like "cannot create a file that already exists" or "path Not found". Now i hace re-installed iTunes on my D-Drivecbut the iPhone Backup was stored on my C-Drive. I even looked into online guides and tried different syntaxes for the symbolic link, but nothing worked!

[@sahilwagh7730]

hii i am facing issue with wifi ,when i play games on laptop and after some time wifi can't connect error occurs this happen every time how to fix this and some time the after exiting the game this same occurs plz help

[@zumsl]

Holy shit after 4 hours it finally worked. Thanks dude.

[@Mamba116]

Thank you so much the other videos and websites didnt explain if it was downloaded from the microsoft store

[@iamnelsonx]

Worked like a charm. Thank you!!!

[@GrantFarrell]

Thank you SIR! If typing in the command keeps giving you an error, it may be because the path he provided does not have all the necessary details. Check the path of where your files were stored and ensure that pathway is fully entered into the command he provided.

[@satvikkapoor23859]

The restore backup button is greyed. Please help

[@leakena889]

Thanks for the video demo! It works!

[@Tinky_Jouvier]

Thank you so very much for this. Only tutorial that worked. God Bless

[@sandeepsingh18]

Glad it helped

[@tegveersingh9598]

i'm using same method but if i past link in command prompt after enter its showing Local volumes are required to complete the operation???? how solve this??

[@mohamedal4436]

same here

[@jffortier1294]

I'm on a server with AD, with roaming profile, any attemps to create the link is either no access or path not found, since the path of the backup in on a \ etwork\drive... I can't make this work 😡, any clue ?

[@brianhawkins1467]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@user-iu1hi6zj7s]

Thank you so much! You’re the best

[@AvironP]

HI brother your explanation nice very easy to understand. thank you for sharing your knowledge. kindly upload more video like this GOD BLESS YOU>

[@dbcooperfpv9883]

Solid solution to Apple's problem - I appreciate you!

[@mingming6025]

I do get the Backup folder with a shortcut icon but it is not in empty and the the backup data still remain in that file, is it supposed to have noting inside that backup folder at C drive? Or, does it mean my back up file location are not actually being moved at all? Anyone can reply me please?🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@akisritz]

so once we creat the link from one disk to another can we delete the other file on driver c that we dont need anymore ?

[@bravebanana]

thank you! You were a great help

[@victor-stefansuteu4598]

Good job! Everything worked smooth. Thank you!

[@markwilliamson9960]

Helpful Video. Thank you very much. It really is a shame that you have to do this just to choose a backup location. Not sure why Apple cant just include an option for that within itunes. Thank you!

[@galgal1022]

After changed the backup location, if i want restore from backup, can it restore from backup?

[@sandeepsingh18]

Yes

[@galgal1022]

​@@sandeepsingh18I need to restore backup from itunes but itunes will duplicate one more backup before it restore, I don't have enough free space in my c drive, will the duplicate backup go into c drive also? 😢I google search it if I want restore back out from itunes, I need at least little big space than my file only can restore back , other wise it will drop off line , error occured again.

[@amanpreetsingh580]

Bhai cannot create a file when tgat file already exists