Extract files and data from an encrypted iPhone backup

💡iMazing 3
This guide is not yet complete or updated for iMazing 3. An update will be available soon.

iMazing does a lot for your iPhone and iPad, but one of its most useful features is acting as an iPhone backup extractor. If you back up your device to your computer, iMazing lets you easily access data from system apps such as Messages, Photos, and Call History, as well as from third‑party apps. You can even browse the device’s file system and extract files that aren’t otherwise accessible.

iMazing can also automatically back up your iPhone or iPad, create encrypted backups to keep your data secure, and access data in those encrypted backups. If your iPhone is lost or damaged, you can use iMazing as a backup extractor to recover key data from an iMazing or iTunes backup while you wait for a new device, and later restore that backup.

Here's how to extract files and data from your backups:

1. Launch iMazing on your computer
2. Select the Device
3. Select the Backup Snapshot
4. Browse the Backup Snapshot
5. Click any of the apps that display
6. Select the file or data you want to extract
7. Going further

Before you begin

Always make sure you are running the latest iMazing version, to do so select Check for Updates from the iMazing menu, or just download the latest available version for your computer below.

Download and install iMazing on your Mac or PC computer.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Launch iMazing on your computer

If you haven’t already, download and install iMazing. For more details please refer to our guide available for PC and for Mac.

2. Select the Device

From the devices view you will see all the devices previously connected and paired to your computer. Click to select a device.

3. Select the Backup Snapshot

In the upper toolbar, click Now. This will open the Snapshot List.

You will be presented with a list of available snapshots for that device. Select the snapshot you want to browse by clicking it.

4. Browse the Backup Snapshot

You can now browse any dataset available in the backup. If you stay in the Overview section you'll have quick access to some datasets. You can also go into the Data section to access all datasets available in the backup.

• On the top trail you can see anytime which backup snapshot you are currently browsing.
• By clicking on the close icon you will switch back to the device current state.

💡Tip: You can also quickly switch to the current state by right-clicking your device in the sidebar and selecting Switch to Connected Device

5. Click any of the apps that display

Click any of the apps that display in the main section of the iMazing window. You may be asked to enter your password. By default, you'll see Photos, Music, Videos, iBooks, Messages, Notes, Contacts, Phone, and Voice Memos. Other apps are listed under Apps, and File System lets you browse the devices file system.

6. Select the file or data you want to extract

Depending on the dataset (or app) you select, you may be able to extract data. For example, if you select Messages, you'll be able to see and export any or all of the messages from the backup. Select one or more conversations, then click Export to PDF, Export to Text, Export to Excel, or Export to CSV. See this article for more about Messages transfer.

The same is the case for:

• Photos
• Messages
• Contacts
• Notes
• Voice Memos
• Voicemail
• Call History
• and more...

Depending on what files and data your third-party apps back up, you may also be able to extract some of their content. Select Apps, then click an app to see what's available in the backup.

• See this article to extract and restore a particular iPhone app's data and settings.
• See this article for more about your iPhone App's data access.

Finally, the File System lets you browse the entire file system of your device. You may need to go fishing to find what you want, but you have access, via iMazing, to all the files that are backed up, something you cannot do using iTunes.

7. Going further

Apple constantly changes the format of iOS backups, and very few apps are able to stay up to date with these changes. iMazing is constantly updated to support Apple's changes, and our developers work hard to ensure that iMazing can always back up your iOS devices, and access their data.