How To Disable Automatic iPhone Backups [Fixed in 2.1 Update]

[Michael Johnston]

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<b>Long backups were addressed in the 2.1 update. This tip is likely no longer relevant for most people.</b> Ever since version 1.0, the iPhone has automatically backed itself up every time an iTunes sync was started. The feature makes sense on a phone and has definitely saved my bacon quite a few times. However, with the iPhone 2.0 update, the backup feature has gotten arguably out of hand. Most users report obnoxiously long backup times which make it extremely frustrating to refresh your iPhone's information.

So if you're tired of automatic backups that take forever, here's how to disable them.<!--break-->

<b>For Windows users:</b>
First, grab a copy of <a href="http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm" target="_blank">Notepad++</a>. The standard apps that come with Windows won't work well for editing the iTunesPrefs.xml file.

To apply this hack, you'll be editing the iTunesPrefs.xml, which is generally found at C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes. You may need to enable hidden folders if you don't see the "Application Data" folder.
<ol>
<li>Quit iTunes
<li>Make a backup of iTunesPrefs.xml. If you mess up, you'll wish you had a backup, so it's a good idea to make one.
<li>Open iTunesPrefs.xml using Notepad++
<li>Search for "User Preferences" without the quotes and you should find something like "&lt;key&gt;User Preferences&lt;/key&gt;"
<li>Right below the first &lt;dict&gt; that comes after "&lt;key&gt;User Preferences&lt;/key&gt;", paste the following:
<blockquote>
&lt;key&gt;AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled&lt;/key&gt;
&lt;data&gt;
dHJ1ZQ==
&lt;/data&gt;</blockquote>
<center>Your results should look something like this:
<a href="http://www.iphonealley.com/images/storyimages/august08/before.jpg" rel="lightbox[win]"><img src="http://www.iphonealley.com/images/storyimages/august08/before.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.iphonealley.com/images/storyimages/august08/after.jpg" rel="lightbox[win]"><img src="http://www.iphonealley.com/images/storyimages/august08/after.jpg" width="320" /></a></center>
<li>Save the file and open iTunes. If all went well, your iPhone will sync, but it won't back up. To back up manually, right click your iPhone in the source list and choose "Back Up".
</ol>

<b>For Mac Users</b>
Things are a little easier here. :]
<ol>
<li>Quit iTunes
<li>Open Terminal (HD -> Applications -> Utilities)
<li>Paste in the following and hit return:
<blockquote>defaults write com.apple.iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true</blockquote>

<li>That's it! Next time your iPhone syncs, it won't back up. To back up manually, right click your iPhone in the source list and choose "Back Up".</ol>

To re-enable automatic backups, follow the same steps only use this instead:
<blockquote>defaults write com.apple.iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false</blockquote>

How sweet is that? We recommend doing regular backups of your iPhone anyway, but this should be good for those who miss the ability to quickly sync before you run out the door.

<i>Thanks Stan!</i></div>

[Peter000]

I outline a much simpler way of avoiding auto-backups in my iPhone apps blog, http://iphapp.info:

http://www.iphapp.info/?p=332

[MarcoIac]

I don't see any difference in the two Terminal command lines for disabling and enabling automatic backups in Mac users

[Ram]

Shouldn't the second command be
defaults write com.apple.iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool <b>false</b> ?

[chucksou]

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/28158/backup-disabler

Try this app. It works great, and it is easy to use.

[Michael Johnston]

Thanks guys, I fixed the second Mac command.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/28158/backup-disabler

Try this app. It works great, and it is easy to use.

Backup Disabler looks ok, although it seems like the app totally disables backups instead of just killing the auto-backup. That means that you'd have to re-enable the backups to do a backup instead of just right clicking your iPhone.

[Orlando]

You can also simply click the (x) in the iTunes status windows once it says "backing up". Which quits backup and then continues with syncing.

[Unregistered]

I have written a small Windows program called "iPhone Backup Switch". The program will allow you to enable and disable the iPhone backup feature in iTunes. I have tested it pretty well in Windows XP and VISTA. There is a backup feature that will backup the iTunes configuration and let you restore a previous version, if something goes wrong. Comes complete with installer and uninstaller.

Get it here:
http://www.microseconds.com/backupswitch.html

Spread the word please!

[Unregistered]

Look guys, i tried this and it screwed me over. All my backups suddenly became "corrupt" after i tried restoring. The disabled backup is to blame. The only way i got everything back was by running scripts, extracting contacts and sms through the md backup files(files in the iphone backup) and sshing into my phone and transfering. Im not discrediting any programs or anything, but be warned. I got messed up and spent a few hours figuring this all out. I believe the backup disable also messes up the manifest.plist file in the iphone backup, corrupting it. Ur choice.

[Unregistered]

You can also simply click the (x) in the iTunes status windows once it says "backing up". Which quits backup and then continues with syncing.

Exactly...just do as this guy recommends. It takes .5 seconds to do. Avoid the hassle of all the other "solutions". This man is a genius! Simplest answer=best.

[Spoon]

I found that after canceling a backup as it was in progress my backup was corrupted. I'm pretty sure this is because it had started and not finished, causing a problem. I haven't had problems with manually created backups after disablign the auto-backup.

[Headblade]

I finally did a full backup in under a minute!
Guess I'll re-enable auto backups.
Just thought I'd let you all know...