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How to restore the entire backup file from iTunes Windows 11 to get saved text messages back?

I use iTunes as primary backup method and my text messages are saved along with the other phone contents. However, I need help to extract and restore the entire backup file from iTunes to get saved messages back.

I tried Following from Gina Barrow, Last updated: January 14, 2023 but cannot find list of files and folders with long names. %appdata% does not list 3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28.mddata for viewing.


Option 3. Back-Up Text Messages in iTunes

If you are using iTunes as your primary backup method, then you are confident that your text messages are saved along with the other phone contents. However, you need to extract and restore the entire backup file from iTunes to get your saved messages back.


But, if you are a bit techy and know a little about SQL editor then you can view your text messages from the iTunes backup file. Here’s how:

Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable

Launch iTunes and click on your device icon on the iTunes screen

From the Summary, choose This Computer and click Backup now

Click the Apply button to start the backup process

Now that you have created a backup of your iPhone via iTunes, go to Users/[username]AppDataRoaming. You will see a list of files and folders with long names or alphanumeric combinations.

Find 3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28.mddata and open your SQL Editor to view the text messages.

However, if you don’t have an SQL editor, you can just save the folder on your computer and just view them later on.





[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 11, iOS 18

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 8:34 AM

Reply
10 replies

Nov 8, 2024 6:18 AM in response to Sunnyintoronto123

Sunnyintoronto123 wrote:

I thought i mentioned in my earlier post the quotation which is for computer backup. I repeat I meant Computer backup.

And the article I lined to addressed that:


Backups from your computer

A computer backup of your device, which is not the same as a sync, includes almost all of your device's data and settings. A backup from a computer doesn't include:

  • Content from the iTunes and App Stores, or PDFs downloaded directly to Apple Books
  • Content synced from your Mac or PC, like imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos
  • Data already synced and stored in iCloud, like iCloud Photos, iMessages, and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages
  • Face ID or Touch ID settings
  • Apple Pay information and settings
  • Apple Mail data
  • Activity, Health, and Keychain data (to back up this content, you'll need to create an encrypted backup) 
  • Offline maps


Nov 9, 2024 7:07 AM in response to Sunnyintoronto123

Ideally you would have included a link to the original advice that you were trying to follow. Apple's device backup system is fairly opaque. Each successive backup overwrites what was there before. Data that exists in some form or other in the cloud, or in say your cellular provider's database, isn't necessarily going to be included. And if the backup is encrypted then it is going to be even harder to look at. Apple may have changed both the location and naming conventions for the particular subset of data you want to look at, and in any case don't provide any method for selective restore. It is all or nothing. If you restored the device and didn't get back some of the information that you expected then it is likely no longer there to find. If you've tried looking in both potential device backup locations, and all backup sets in those locations, then perhaps the data you want isn't there. There are third party tools, e.g. https://www.wideanglesoftware.com/ibackupextractor/, that claim to be able to view and extract data from device backups, although I have no first hand experience of them. You might try your luck.


tt2

Nov 7, 2024 9:20 AM in response to Sunnyintoronto123

Sunnyintoronto123 wrote:

I use as primary backup method and my text messages are saved along with the other phone contents. However, I need help to extract and restore the entire backup file from iTunes to get saved messages back.

Note that if you are using iCloud syncing for your messages, they are not part of your backup.


Backup methods for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


How to restore the entire backup file from iTunes Windows 11 to get saved text messages back?

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