Are Apple iPad backup files accessible without iPad?

Bob Russell · 12-04-2010, 01:58 PM

I am wondering about a worst case scenario - suppose I lose or break my iPad.

Is it possible to recover application files (such as ebooks, video, etc) from the Apple iPad backup using just my desktop computer, or does it require another iPad to recover that backed up information?

Would appreciate the thoughts of all you iPad gurus out there. You know, it's kind of annoying that I have so many copies of data (my original, my iTunes copy, my iPad copy, the iPad backup, and probably I will need another backup with just the files on the iPad in case I lose the iPad and want to load those files onto another mobile device - replacing with another iPad would be quite expensive.)

rakulos · 12-04-2010, 03:06 PM

If your using a PC the backups:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

If MAC:
~(home directory)/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

Im afraid neither are that much use without an iPad though as the data's all encrypted (as .mddata) and I'm not sure how to extract it - possibly SQlite to extract - never used it so no idea.

If your after books downloaded from itunes they should be in
C:\Users\username\mymusic\iTunes\iTunes Media\Books (or the Mac equivalent)

If you sideloaded the books, say from calibre then they wont be there - itunes is either using the original file location of your book or sticking it in the encrypted backup - not sure which!

Cheers.

One last Edit - my main book backup is a full calibre library backup an a 2gig USB pen drive on my keyring

Bob Russell · 12-04-2010, 05:52 PM

Thanks Rakulos, I appreciate the info!

And, unfortunately, one more reason to not like iTunes. ;-)

JMikeD · 12-04-2010, 07:04 PM

There are several programs out there that will extract files from the backup. The one I use is called iPhone Backup Extracter (for the Mac). It also works with the iPad and iPod Touch.

There is probably a similar program for Windows.

Bob Russell · 12-05-2010, 04:38 AM

That's interesting news... I'll Google for a Windows solution. Thks for the tip!

Bob Russell · 12-06-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMikeD

There are several programs out there that will extract files from the backup. The one I use is called iPhone Backup Extracter (for the Mac). It also works with the iPad and iPod Touch.

There is probably a similar program for Windows.

Yep... http://www.iphonebackupextractor.com/

It's a bit pricey, however, if you want to recover lots of files (even on sale now it's $24.95 with 12 months of free upgrades, regularly $34.95), so I won't use it unless as a last resort.

But if you just need a file or two, it seems to be free.

12-04-2010, 01:58 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Are Apple iPad backup files accessible without iPad? I am wondering about a worst case scenario - suppose I lose or break my iPad. Is it possible to recover application files (such as ebooks, video, etc) from the Apple iPad backup using just my desktop computer, or does it require another iPad to recover that backed up information? Would appreciate the thoughts of all you iPad gurus out there. You know, it's kind of annoying that I have so many copies of data (my original, my iTunes copy, my iPad copy, the iPad backup, and probably I will need another backup with just the files on the iPad in case I lose the iPad and want to load those files onto another mobile device - replacing with another iPad would be quite expensive.)

12-04-2010, 03:06 PM	#2
rakulos Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 36 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: ipad, K3, acer aspire switch 10	If your using a PC the backups: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup If MAC: ~(home directory)/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/ Im afraid neither are that much use without an iPad though as the data's all encrypted (as .mddata) and I'm not sure how to extract it - possibly SQlite to extract - never used it so no idea. If your after books downloaded from itunes they should be in C:\Users\username\mymusic\iTunes\iTunes Media\Books (or the Mac equivalent) If you sideloaded the books, say from calibre then they wont be there - itunes is either using the original file location of your book or sticking it in the encrypted backup - not sure which! Cheers. One last Edit - my main book backup is a full calibre library backup an a 2gig USB pen drive on my keyring Last edited by rakulos; 12-04-2010 at 03:11 PM. Reason: typos

12-04-2010, 07:04 PM	#4
JMikeD Evangelist Posts: 473 Karma: 15000 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Various and sundry	There are several programs out there that will extract files from the backup. The one I use is called iPhone Backup Extracter (for the Mac). It also works with the iPad and iPod Touch. There is probably a similar program for Windows. Last edited by JMikeD; 12-05-2010 at 01:49 PM.

12-04-2010, 05:52 PM	#3
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Thanks Rakulos, I appreciate the info! And, unfortunately, one more reason to not like iTunes. ;-)

12-05-2010, 04:38 AM	#5
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	That's interesting news... I'll Google for a Windows solution. Thks for the tip!

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