Can I turn off backup encryption in iTunes without the password?

Can I turn off backup encryption in iTunes without the password?

Once iTunes is set to encrypt iPhone backups, switching this feature off requires the password. What if the password is forgotten or unknown? You can still reset iTunes to make a fresh backup without encryption. Follow these steps to uncheck Encrypt iPhone backup:

Perform these steps at your own risk!

1. Delete any Mail Exchange accounts on the iPhone.
2. Delete old encrypted backups from iTunes.
3. Use iExplorer or ssh to delete the file /private/var/Keychains/Keychain-2.db from the iOS filesystem. Note: this step will clear stored passwords from your device.
4. Restart the iPhone.
5. Connect the iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
6. Uncheck the box next to Encrypt iPhone backup.
7. If prompted for a password, enter the passcode currently set on your iPhone.

When successful, iTunes should begin backing up the iPhone to an unencrypted backup. If this does not happen, start a new unencrypted backup manually.

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Comments

matt replied on

These steps worked well for me on my iPhone 5S with iOS 7.1.2. Just had to jailbreak with Pangu first so I could delete the keychain file. Thanks!

amber replied on

I had the same issue. Suddenly a encrypted password. I used the tool iSeepassword iTunes Password recovery and found out that my backup password was my Windows 7 login password. I never gave my backup this password. So try your Windows password or use the tool (trail version will give you the first 2 characters for free) Hope this info will help you.

http://www.iseepassword.com/itunes-password-recovery.html

Vincenzo replied on

I found also this software to remove the itunes password:
iTunes Password Rescuer
I downloaded it for free from https://goo.gl/GVAAEw

Ness replied on

Do not USE the stupid password recovery programs you see listed. They are crap and are just listed as a way to extort money from people

mike replied on

I agree. These password recovery programs are junk.

Marc replied on

Same here. I struggled a long time to figure out what password I had to use to restore my iphone 6s backup. Turned out the password was my Window 7 pro logon password. I NEVER used that password to encrypt my iphone backup. How this happened is beyond me. Absolute mystery.

If you can't access / restore your iphone backup using the password you think should work, try your Windows 7 logon password. Crazy, I know, but worked for me.

Paul Duck replied on

At first, you will be asked to login the password of the encrypted backup. If you don’t remember that, no help i can offer unless use iSeePassword iTunes backup password recovery tool.

I've successfully recovered my forgotten iTunes backup password with iSeePassword, I highly recommend it!

http://www.iseepassword.com/forgot-itunes-backup-password.html

Anonymous replied on

I would like to say the above comment is the perfect way to solve this solution. Lucky I was on ios 7.1.2 and not on 8. Do the jailbreak, launch iexplorer, delete the keychain file and restart iphone. Uncheck the encryption box and type your passcode to proceed when prompted on screen. Done. Works perfectly.

Adams replied on

This seems not working properly on iOS 9.0 and later. First, there is till no valid jailbreak tool available for iOS 9.0. Plus, with the latest iTunes, you can't turn off password encryption unless you entered the password you set. However, you can follow this tutorial to recover the lost backup password: http://www.uukeys.com/forgot-itunes-backup-file-password.html

myname replied on

I don't get it: this guide is for when you've lost/forgotten the password, but what password are you guys entering when unchecking the option in iTunes (step 6/7)?

myname replied on

I deleted the keychain file on the iPhone. Then, when prompted for a password in iTunes, the 4-digit unlock code was the right one. Funny :) thanks!

Dan replied on

I am having a nightmare with failed restores to a new device, iTunes totally failing to sync etc.
But WHY, FOR GOD'S SAKE does nobody preface this kind of advice with "You need to be jailbroken before this works"
Wasted more of my bloody time - thanks, get a job with Apple.

Jawad replied on

my iphone is running the latest version 8.1.2. Will this work?

Anonymous replied on

This is the perfect way to solve this issue. I have tried many other methods but none works besides this.
Jailbreak your phone and follow the instructions provided.
Thank you !

ricky replied on

Fuck iphone and itunes

i create a backup and its asking me a pswd even i didnt set any paswd this itune fuck my mind

Mike replied on

NOTE: JAILBREAK REQUIRED***
This article should mention that the steps do require Jailbreak first. The path for the keychain file can't be accessed on a regular, non-Jailbroken device (/private/var/Keychains/Keychain-2.db).

So, you need to Jailbreak and also install Apple File Conduit "2" from the Cydia app store, and then you'll be able to access any Root directory in iExplorer.

Paul replied on

I have an IPhone 4 with 6.1.2. I tried using evasion to jailbreak it and it asks for the backup password. Kind of defeats what I'm trying to do as I don't know it. Are there any other jailbreak methods that don't require knowing the password?

Thanks for the advice.

Anonymous replied on

Thx Alot Dude its work for me :)

Preet Sangha replied on

but i can't jailbreak my iPhone6 becoz pangu says please disable the encrypted backup feature in itunes
m in big problem
what to do now?

Anonymous replied on

Sorted, wooooooow, Works as a charm.
Really thank you very much for the valuable informative method, much appreciated.

Joe replied on

I kept guessing and it ended up being an old password for the App store. Apple's security "features" are just too damn complicated across the board and this is just 1 more example. All they need is a single easy password for everything that has 2-factor texting or emailing attached, without the need to constantly re-enter passwords several times after you've already logged onto your device or mac. If you log on to your device with the correct password, after than device has been used at least once with the 2nd factor, there should be no more log-ins for anything. Hackers aren't going to hack their way into your phone while you're using it to download Apps to it from the App store. They couldn't care less about what you put on your device from the App store or being able to back up your device to your mac without a password. That's just nuts.

shaun replied on

OMG I CANT DO THIS MY PHONE IS A NORMAL IPHONE 5S AND I DONT EVEN REMEMBERE PUTTING A STUPID PASS WORD ON THIS STUPID BACK UP I CANT FIND THE KEYCHAIN ANYWHERE OMG SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE BEFORE I THROW THE COMPUTER AND THE IFONE OFF THE BALONY IM IN BRISBANE EAITHER E-MAIL WHICH IVE DELETED ALKL MYT ACCOUNTS OFF MY PHONE AS THATS WHAT THE BLOG SAID MAYBE IM JUST STUPID I DONT NO ANY HELP WOUKLD BE GREAT THANKS

shaun replied on

OMG I CANT DO THIS MY PHONE IS A NORMAL IPHONE 5S AND I DONT EVEN REMEMBERE PUTTING A STUPID PASS WORD ON THIS STUPID BACK UP I CANT FIND THE KEYCHAIN ANYWHERE OMG SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE BEFORE I THROW THE COMPUTER AND THE IFONE OFF THE BALONY IM IN BRISBANE EAITHER E-MAIL WHICH IVE DELETED ALKL MYT ACCOUNTS OFF MY PHONE AS THATS WHAT THE BLOG SAID MAYBE IM JUST STUPID I DONT NO ANY HELP WOUKLD BE GREAT THANKS

shamfeen replied on

Update Aug 2015 - iPhone 5S - Running iOS 8.3

I had this issue. At some earlier time I had enabled encrypted backups (at least I think so). Since iTunes never prompts for the password I had since lost track of or forgot the password. I had tried every password I could think of to no avail. My work around was as follows

1. Assuming you know your App Store (apple), iTunes store password and this is the same password as the iCloud password.
on the iPhone in Settings - iCloud -> Enable iCloud backup

2. Kick off a Backup to the iCloud. It does this over Wifi so give it time to run a complete

3. Once this is completed you now have a new Backup from the Device. You will never be able to restore from the Encrypted backups on the local drive (iTunes client).

4. If you are setting up a new device (like me) attach the iPhone to the PC via USB cable and start the iTunes app. Once the device appears - Click on the device and Click Restore. Now you will have to enter the iCloud password to restore from Apples iCloud.
I was able to get a full restore of my Old iPhone to my new iPhone using this method. All my data, apps, configs, app history(iMessage), Photos .. the lot.

5. Once I was done I sidabled the iCloud backup. Went back to the iTunes app and perfomed a local backup (with Encrytion) and I have stored the password in LastPass (which I hight recommend).

6. God luck with yours.

Ve replied on

Works perfectly, other option is make a back up from your older phone with iCloud, setting up as new your new iphone, and then retore it with that iCloud back up you just did, no need to uses iTunes for this, just follow this steps:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204686

Ve replied on

Works perfectly, other option is make a back up from your older phone with iCloud, setting up as new your new iphone, and then retore it with that iCloud back up you just did, no need to uses iTunes for this, just follow this steps:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204686

Britney replied on

I realize this is an old forum, but if anyone sees this, please help me. I followed theses steps, which seem to be successful for everyone else, but when I finished, the encryption was still on! Why? I don't understand.

Sarah replied on

Thank YOU... This is by far the best solution

Lokesh Kumar replied on

Instead of going through all that trouble simply remove the installed profiles under the settings -> general in your iphone.

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