Disable iPhone Backup Process to Speed Up Slow Sync Process
iPhone mobile device with firmware OS version 2.0 (including iPhone 3G) will make a full image backup of the iPhone device with all installed applications, instead of just documents and library data to computer (Mac or PC) during the synchronization process, each and every time when there is a change to the installed apps and games. The backup of complete snapshot of iPhone apps can take a while to complete, especially for iPhone device with many apps loaded, causing significant slow down of sync process.
The backup is important for restoring purpose when iPhone is corrupted or the operating system goes wrong. However, for users who don’t require the backup (meaning that if something bad happens on iPhone, all data, programs and games is considered lost), or have other way of performing the backup rather than through iTunes syncing (such as over-the-air OTA or third party software utility), it’s possible to disable the backup process during iPhone (3G)-iTunes sync process.
Previously, iPhone users have to manually cancel the backup in iTunes when iPhone backup process is in progress to skip and bypass the slow backing up of iPhone, but terminating the backup process halfway may result in corrupted backup, which will cause corrupted phone when accidentally used to restore to iPhone. The workaround is to use the following hack to force iTunes to disable backup process and skip backing up the complete iPhone image.
- Quit iTunes.
- Open Terminal.app.
- Type (or copy and paste) the following command, and then hit Return:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true - Open and run iTunes.
- Plug in and connect iPhone 3G or original classic iPhone on version 2.0 OS to computer for syncing. The backup process should be bypassed and skipped now, and only music or podcasts are synced.
The command above changes a hidden setting in the iTunes preferences to disable and turn off the backup process. To re-enable or turn on and run the backup of iPhone again, just issue the following command:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false
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Entries (RSS)
November 9th, 2009 13:35
11/9/09 – Works!
July 17th, 2009 07:24
I love ‘iPhone Backup Switch’ – it’s wonderful and easy…
Babs
August 27th, 2008 07:08
Thanks, Dennis. It is what I have really wanted!!
August 26th, 2008 09:38
I tried using Terminal and it ended up crashing my iphone, and then I spent 3 hours in the Apple Store trying to restore it… so be careful!
August 26th, 2008 00:15
THANK YOU TONY!!!!
August 25th, 2008 11:02
I have written a small FREE 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!
August 21st, 2008 08:21
Hi guys,
if you don’t want to mess in terminal check this out.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/28158/backup-disabler
it’s a little app that does the trick.
enjoy
August 3rd, 2008 16:03
[...] synchronization process, each and every time when there is a change to the installed apps and gamesDisable iPhone Backup Process to Speed Up Slow Sync Process » My Digital Life iPhone users have to manually cancel the backup in iTunes when iPhone backup process is in progress [...]