Date
Dec. 11th, 2024
 
2024年 11月 11日

Post: Disable Automatic iOS Backup

Disable Automatic iOS Backup

Published 16:05 May 08, 2020.

Created by @ezra. Categorized in #Technology.

Source format: Markdown

Table of Content

When you sync your iPhone or iPad with iTunes, it triggers an automatic backup. Whilst it's a sensible precaution to backup regularly, it is possible to skip iTunes backups. I don't recommend performing an iTunes sync without a backup, but here's how you can disable those backups, and re-enable them if you change your mind.

{% include alert.html type='info' no_window='true' title="Video" msg="iTunes Backup disabled." video='/assets/videos/posts/iOS_Sync.mp4' poster='/assets/videos/posts/iOS_Sync.jpg' aspect='18.18%' %}

macOS

Before Catalina

So, before Catalina (10.15), I use defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true to disable automatic device backup. From this point on, if you open and sync iTunes it will skip taking a backup. If you'd like to undo this, just run defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false.

defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true

On Catalina

On macOS Catalina (10.15), changing the ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup folder to being Read-only (dr-xr-xr-x) will prevent the backup being taken. However, this will also disable backups until Read-write permissions are restored. If your Backup folder is a symbolic link, you may need to delete the symbolic link and recreate a Backup folder at ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync, then set the privilege to Read-only.

You can also do this by run sudo chmod 0000 ~/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync/Backup in Terminal.

Windows

Microsoft Store version of iTunes (most common since 2018)

iTunes.exe /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 1

64-bit version of iTunes (most common since 2015)

"%ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 1

32-bit version of iTunes

"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 1

From now on, if you open iTunes it will allow you to sync your iPhone's without triggering an automatic iTunes backup. If you'd like to undo this, follow the same steps, but instead of the 1 at the end of the command, use a 0.

Pinned Message
HOTODOGO
The Founder and CEO of Infeca Technology.
Developer, Designer, Blogger.
Big fan of Apple, Love of colour.
Feel free to contact me.
反曲点科技创始人和首席执行官。
开发、设计与写作皆为所长。
热爱苹果、钟情色彩。
随时恭候 垂询