ThreadlodeWhere iPhone backups are stored on your computer
Local iPhone backups live in a folder named Backup with one subfolder per device, named by a long ID. Here's where to find it.
Updated 2026-10-26 · 4 min read
Windows
- Apple Devices app or iTunes from the Microsoft Store:
%USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup - iTunes downloaded from apple.com:
%APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
Paste the path into the File Explorer address bar or the search box.
Mac
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup. In Finder: Go › Go to Folder…, paste the path. Or in Finder, select the iPhone › Manage Backups › Control-click a backup › Show in Finder.
Which folder is which?
Each subfolder is one device backup; the name is the device ID. Sort by date modified to find the newest. Inside, files are stored under hashed names in 256 subfolders – that's normal; the Messages database is one of them.
Is it encrypted?
If “Encrypt local backup” was ticked in Finder/iTunes, the backup is encrypted and Threadlode can't read it. See make an unencrypted backup.
Read the messages
Choose the device folder in Threadlode (the folder that contains Manifest.db). It finds the Messages database, contacts and attachments and shows the conversations.
Read your backup now. Threadlode opens Android SMS Backup & Restore XML files, unencrypted iPhone backups (sms.db) and the Mac Messages folder (chat.db) in your browser, with photos and search, and exports PDF, Excel, CSV or an HTML archive. Nothing is uploaded. Reading and search are free; a $15 one-time license removes the export limit.
Questions and answers
Can I move the backup folder to another drive?
Yes, copy it; Threadlode can read a copy anywhere.
Are iCloud backups on my computer?
No. iCloud backups stay in iCloud; make a local backup to get a folder you can read.
Sources and product names: Apple Support: "Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch". iPhone, iMessage, iTunes and Finder are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Android of Google LLC; SMS Backup & Restore is an app by SyncTech. Threadlode is independent and not affiliated with them.