ThreadlodeRead the messages inside an iPhone backup
When you back up an iPhone to a computer, your messages are saved in a database called sms.db – but inside the backup folder it is renamed to a long code, and the photos are scattered over hundreds of folders. Threadlode puts it back together.
Where the backup folder is
| Computer | Folder |
|---|---|
| Windows, iTunes from apple.com | %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup |
| Windows, iTunes or Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store | %USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup |
| Mac (Finder or iTunes) | ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup |
Inside you’ll find one folder per device with a long name such as 00008030-001A…. That is the folder to open. On a Mac you may need to give your browser access to that folder, or copy it somewhere else first.
Steps
- Open Threadlode and click Open iPhone backup folder.
- Choose the device folder (the one that contains
Manifest.db). If you choose the parent “Backup” folder, Threadlode looks for backups inside it. - Read, search and export your conversations. Names come from the contacts saved in the same backup.
Encrypted backups
If “Encrypt local backup” was turned on, the messages inside are encrypted and Threadlode can’t read them; it tells you so. To make an unencrypted backup you have to turn encryption off in iTunes/Finder (this asks for the backup password) and back up again.
Questions and answers
Do I need the iPhone connected?
No. Threadlode reads the backup folder only.
Does it read iCloud backups?
No. iCloud backups stay on Apple’s servers. Threadlode reads backups stored on your computer.
Last updated: 2026-10-26