How do I restore my iPad to a previous backup made on another computer (Mac)?

How do I restore my iPad to a previous backup made on another computer (a Mac)?
I made copies of the backup in the /mobilesync folder and put them on a hard drive. Now I'm in an endless cycle of restoring/syncing which keeps erasing data off of my iPad on the new computer (which is just a hard drive reformat...it's the same computer, technically, but in theory brand new after a hard drive formatting).
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Normally backups are incremental, and you can only restore the latest. EXCEPT that a backup of an earlier version is archived, and the first backup of the new version is thus complete. You should be able to restore a 6.1.4 backup to iOS 7. Click the Restore Backup button. The dialog that comes up should have a dropdown where you can select a backup to restore. If the old one does not show up it cannot be restored.
However, since you appear to have a Mac, if you use Time Machine you can restore an earlier backup over the current one from your Time Machine history.
You can also back up to iCloud, even if you don't sync to it. See: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5262
One well hidden feature (for future use) is archiving backups. If you go to iTunes Preferences/Devices, right click on the current backup and choose "Archive". The next backup you make will be a competely new one, and the old one will be preserved and can be restored at any time.

Similar Messages

  • HT201269 how can i restore my ipad from a previous backup (not the most recent)

    how can i restore my ipad from a previous backup (not the most recent). I can get the restore from backup, but there is only the most recent one visi
    ble

    Again, iTunes only keeps one normal backup, per device. Any other backups listed are backups created from restore points. These are time/date stamped & are not overwritten.

  • How do I restore camera roll from a previous backup

    My wife's iphone was full so I looked how to delete many, many camera roll pictures without having to do them individually. I found out how to do it (not intuitive at all by the way) but I did it wrong, deleted her camera roll and  photostream.  Lost about 300 pics.  I backup the iphone to my computer so I'm thinking the camera roll has to be there in a previous backup.  How do I restore camera roll from a backup, at least 5 backups ago?
    It's not fun sleeping the garage.  Help!
    Thanks,
    Art

    Thanks for the response.
    Her phone is always backed up to the computer so I believe there is a backup prior to removing the pics.  I'm trying to find out how to go to an older backup to restore so I can find the camera roll pics.

  • HT1692 how do i restore my contacts from a previous backup?

    My contacts were inadvertently removed.  How do I restore contacts from a previous itunes backup?

    Restore the backup... there is no selective restore of specific items.
    Backing up, Restoring, Updating iOS

  • How can I restore my iPad from an encrypted backup if I didn't put a password on it?

    I went to back up my iPad two days ago just as I have several times prior. Low and behold, it asks me for a password of which I have no knowledge of EVER putting one in. So I called Apple support. The "genius" (and I use that word loosely) told me I had to reset my ipad as a "new" ipad in iTunes, then use an older backup to restore my data. All went fine until the iPad restarted and immediately began doing a backup to the iCloud. I proceed to try to restore my data. Only 1 older backup shows up in the list, which is the one I did right before resetting the iPad, BUT, it is encrypted. So now I have an ipad that USED to have a years worth of appointments and schedule that is now empty. I went to the local Apple store and the "Genius" there skated around the issue for an hour because he didn't have a clue how to get my calendar restored. He finally, as he was wrapping up, gave me the web address to the Expresslane.apple.com folks and told me that they would help me. I followed the links that he told me to and right before It said someone would call me, They asked for $19.99 first, even though the local genius told me there would be no charge since he was referring me to them. This is my first and last Apple product as I will be looking for a more reliable substitute.

    So what is your question?
    If you forgot your encryption password:
    Warning: Make sure it's a password you will remember or write it down for safekeeping. If you encrypt an iPhone backup in iTunes and forget your password, you can't restore from backup and your data will be unrecoverable.
    If you can't remember the password and want to start again, you must perform a full software restore and chooseset up as a new device when iTunes prompts you to select the backup from which to restore.
    The above comes from here:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4946

  • How do I restore my Ipad 4 from my desktop computer? My charger was broken. I bought a new one but now it won't charge. I have a BATTERY bar in the middle of the screen that is flashing RED and I have a symbol on the bottom that looks like a charger.

    How do I restore my Ipad 4 from my desktop computer? My charger was damaged so I bought a new one but it won't charge. On my Ipad, I have a BATTERY bar in the middle that is flashing RED and an icon on the bottom that looks like the end of a charger. I have tried to force into reset mode, by holding the sleep key and home button SEVERAL times but it does NOT work. I have plugged my Ipad into my desktop computer, but I do not have a screen on my desktop that is coming up. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE AFTER I DID AN UPDATE AND WAS LOCKED OUT AND I USED EITHER ICLOUD OR ITUNES TO RESTORE, NOT SURE WHICH AND I FORGOT HOW.

    Hi MrsMoosie,
    I'm sorry to hear you are having these issues with your iPad. If your iPad isn't responding or doesn't appear to be charging, you may find the information and troubleshooting steps outlined in the following articles helpful, in particular the following portion:
    If you don't see the charging screen within an hour, or you see the connect to power screen, check your connector, USB cable, and power adapter. Make sure that everything is plugged in firmly, free of debris, and not damaged. You might want to try a different USB cable or power adapter.
    If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch doesn't respond or doesn't turn on - Apple Support
    If you can’t charge your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
    Regards,
    - Brenden

  • I bought a second hand ipad 4 4g the first user forgot the apple id and password, how can i restore the ipad and create a new id and password for it?

    i bought a second hand ipad 4 4g the first user forgot the apple id and password, how can i restore the ipad and create a new id and password for it?

    You cannot get around Activation Lock without the oringinal owner disassociating the iPad from their account.
    See the Activation Lock FAQ for what you and they need to know.

  • HT201269 how can i restore my iPad?

    how can i restore my iPad?

    Nevermind, I solved it with iPad backup restore. Backed up every app individually to an ipa with app+records. Then reset to factory, restored old iTunes backup and did the same again for the other apps. Now I have all apps on the computer with its corresponding data and don't rely on partially implemented backup solutions.

  • HT1766 How I restore my IPad to a previous date to recover my pictures and programs

    How I restore my IPad to a previous date to recover my pictures and programs?

    Restore from iTunes or iCloud backup.

  • How do I restore my iPad from iTunes if I get an error message stating not enough storage after updating to iOS 7

    How do I restore my iPad 2 after backing it up and updating to the current iTunes and now getting an error message staying I can't restore due to lack of storage now on my iPad?

    Try to offload photos you don't need on your iPad, delete apps that don't get used often. Videos that you have already wathced, books you have already read. Clear up enough space to do the update, Then add content back as you need it.

  • HT4623 how do i restore an ipad after an update?

    How do I restore my ipad after an update?

    Try force iPad into Recovery Mode. Follow step 1 to 6 very closely.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808
    Note: You need to be patient and repeat the above many times to recover your iPad

  • How can I restore my iPad Air to factory settings as I don't have internet on my laptop. After I erased everything from settings. It shows to restore n update through Apple server. Pls help me how to restore it to factory settings.

    How can I restore my iPad Air to factory settings as I don't have internet on my laptop. After I erased everything from settings. It shows to restore n update through Apple server. Pls help!

    Without internet connection there is no way for you restore the iPad.

  • How can I restore my ipad from iCloud

    How i can restore my ipad form iCloud

    You will first have to update your new iPhone to iOS 8.1.2. Go through the setup without restoring. Next go to Settings > General > Software Update and update. After the update is complete choose Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will put the iPhone back into Setup mode. You can now do the setup and restore to your iOS 8.1.2 backup.

  • How do you restore your iPad on the new iTunes

    how do you restore your ipad on the new itunes

    Hi,
    From view menu, you can select show duplicate item. If you hold option key whilst selecting view menu, show exact duplicates becomes available.
    Jim

  • HT1212 how could i restore my ipad without erasing any of the data?

    i have forgotten my passcode, unfortunately, and the ipad has been disabled permanently. i have many pics in it, which are great memories. pls lemme know of ways to save my pics, music and all important content.I NEED ALL THE CONTENT PRESENT IN IT. back up does not save the data i wish to see again. pls help me out with this.

    You can't.
    If You Are Locked Out Or Have Forgotten Your Passcode
    iTunes 10 for Mac- Update and restore software on iPod, iPhone, or iPad
    iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen
    iOS- Understanding passcodes
    A Complete Guide to Recover Your iDevice if You Forget Your Passcode
    If you cannot remember the passcode, you will need to restore your device using the computer with which you last synced it. This allows you to reset your passcode and resync the data from the device (or restore from a backup). If you restore on a different computer that was never synced with the device, you will be able to unlock the device for use and remove the passcode, but your data will not be present. Refer to Updating and restoring iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software.
    Try restoring the iOS device if backing up and erasing all content and settings doesn't resolve the issue. Using iTunes to restore iOS devices is part of standard isolation troubleshooting. Restoring your device will delete all data and content, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, and calendar information, and will restore all settings to their factory condition.
    Before restoring your iOS device, Apple recommends that you either sync with iTunes to transfer any purchases you have made, or back up new data (data acquired after your last sync). If you have movie rentals on the device, see iTunes Store movie rental usage rights in the United States before restoring.
    Follow these steps to restore your device:
         1. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes before attempting to update.
         2. Connect your device to your computer.
         3. Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.
         4. Select the Summary tab.
         5. Select the Restore option.
         6. When prompted to back up your settings before restoring, select the Back Up
             option (see in the image below). If you have just backed up the device, it is not
             necessary to create another.
         7. Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (as long as you've backed up,
             you should not have to worry about restoring your iOS device).
         8. When the restore process has completed, the device restarts and displays the Apple
             logo while starting up:
               After a restore, the iOS device displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. For updating
              to iOS 5 or later, follow the steps in the iOS Setup Assistant. For earlier versions of
              iOS, keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or
              you see "iPhone is activated."
         9. The final step is to restore your device from a previous backup.
    If you can not restore your device then you will need to go to recovery mode.
    Placing your device into recovery mode:
    Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode. If your iOS device is already in recovery mode, you can proceed immediately to step 6.
         1. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but leave the other end
             of the cable connected to your computer's USB port.
         2. Turn off the device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the
             red slider appears, then slide the slider. Wait for the device to turn off.
              If you cannot turn off the device using the slider, press and hold the Sleep/Wake
              and Home buttons at the same time. When the device turns off, release the Sleep/Wake
              and Home buttons.
         3. While pressing and holding the Home button, reconnect the USB cable to the device.
             The device should turn on. Note: If you see the screen pictured below, let the device
             charge for at least ten minutes to ensure that the battery has some charge, and then
             start with step 2 again.
         4. Continue holding the Home button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.
             When this screen appears you can release the Home button.
         5. If necessary, open iTunes. You should see the following "recovery mode" alert:
         6. Use iTunes to restore the device.
    If you don't see the "Connect to iTunes" screen, try these steps again. If you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen but the device does not appear in iTunes, see this article and its related links.
    Additional Information:
    Note: When using recovery mode, you can only restore the device. All user content on the device will be erased, but if you had previously synced with iTunes on this computer, you can restore from a previous backup. See this article for more information.

Maybe you are looking for