How to use the command 'idevicebackup' (with examples)
The idevicebackup command is a utility used for creating and restoring backups of iOS devices. It is part of the libimobiledevice project, an open-source suite of tools designed for interacting with Apple devices. This command allows users to manage their iOS device backups without relying on Apple’s iTunes software. However, note that idevicebackup is considered outdated, and the current recommendation is to use idevicebackup2. Nevertheless, understanding the usage of idevicebackup can still be beneficial, especially in systems where only this version is available. Here we explore two primary use cases for this command: creating a backup and restoring a backup.
Use case 1: Creating a Backup of the Device in the Specified Directory
Code:
idevicebackup backup path/to/directory
Motivation:
When managing iOS devices, having a backup is invaluable. It secures all your personal data, including contacts, photos, app data, and settings, ensuring that you won’t lose crucial information in the event of device loss or failure. Using the idevicebackup command to create a backup offers a method not tied to Apple’s ecosystem, providing flexibility and control over where and how backups are stored. This can be especially useful for developers and power users who need local storage solutions or custom backup scripts.
Explanation:
idevicebackup: The command itself, indicating the use of the tool to interact with an iOS device.backup: A subcommand specifying that the operation will be a backup creation. This instructs the tool to gather the necessary data from the connected iOS device.path/to/directory: This is the path on your computer where the backup will be stored. Replacing “path/to/directory” with an actual path ensures that the backup is saved to your desired location. This flexibility in choosing the backup location allows users to utilize external drives or specific directories managed by their backup policies.
Example Output:
Started backup of device at path/to/directory
Backup completed successfully.
Use case 2: Restoring a Backup from the Specified Directory
Code:
idevicebackup restore path/to/directory
Motivation:
Restoring a device from a backup is crucial when you encounter situations such as a factory reset, migrating to a new device, or recovering from a system failure. Using the idevicebackup command to perform this restore operation ensures you can regain your lost data efficiently. This command enables direct interaction with the iOS device to bring it back to its backed-up state, a process necessary for continuity and smooth user experiences after unexpected data loss or transition to new devices.
Explanation:
idevicebackup: As before, this refers to the command-line tool for interacting with iOS devices.restore: A subcommand specifying the operation to restore a previously created backup. This tells the tool to apply the stored backup data back onto the connected iOS device.path/to/directory: The directory where the backup data is stored. By providing this path, the command knows exactly where to locate the backup files to begin the restoration process. Choosing the correct directory is vital to ensure the restoration is successful and aligns with the intended backup.
Example Output:
Starting restoration from backup at path/to/directory
Restoration completed successfully.
Conclusion:
While the idevicebackup tool is currently outdated and has been superseded by idevicebackup2, understanding its operation remains valuable, particularly in contexts where only this tool is available or on systems that favor its use. By creating and restoring backups with idevicebackup, users can ensure data security and continuity for their iOS devices outside of the Apple ecosystem, granting greater control over personal and protect data.
