[HOW TO] Back your iDevice up

[i.Annie]

So I've noticed I've been explaining to people how to properly backup their data, whether they are going to restore from backup or set device up as new after a restore/upgrade. It's getting tedious to cover all bases all the time, so I'm going to put a write-up here to link all the noobies to.

I'm sure all you experts out there don't need this, but for all you noobies who are a little paranoid about losing your stuff, here are a few things you should do to back up your device.

In iTunes:
1) Right-click your device, select "transfer purchases"
2) This moves all your iDevice apps that were not downloaded via iTunes into your iTunes library so you can sync them back in after your upgrade/restore.
3) Go to the "Info" tab in iTunes, select a third party you want to store your Contacts in. This is a safeguard in case a backup doesn't load up or if you're planning to set up as new.
4) Click sync.
5) Right-click device again, select "create backup" and let it do so. If you are planning to set up as new, this isn't of benefit to you.

In Cydia:
1) Aptbackup (not appbackup) will back up your list of installed packages. This does not always work so be careful. Write down all your packages and reinstall them manually after restore/upgrade if it doesn't work right. XBackup will also back up items in Cydia.
2) How it works: You install the app, you have it back everything up, then you do your restore/upgrade. When you rejb, you'll reinstall aptbackup and have it restore what it backed up.
3) This will require your to restore from a backup so if you don't use the backup created in iTunes immediately after using aptbackup, it won't work. If you're planning to set up as new, this isn't an option for you.
4) Compatibility on iOS 5 is questionable. This I'm not sure of.

In Cydia (other option):
1) Pkgbackup (paid app) will back up your list of installed packages as a contact. I've had flukes with this one as well, though I've heard good things about it from others as well.
2) How it works: If you don't back up your contacts, you won't be able to restore your packages. So be sure to do so if you're setting up as new. If you're restoring from a backup, your contacts will automatically be restored so it won't be a concern (unless your backup fails to load for some reason). So basically you install pkgbackup in Cydia before you create a backup in iTunes. In pkgbackup, let it back up your stuff. After your restore/upgrade, and after you sync your contacts (or if you load a backup onto your phone), reinstall pkgbackup and let it restore your packages.
3) Compatibility on iOS 5 is questionable. This I'm not sure of.

Via SSH:
If you want to be super safe, you can back up your device via SSH by extracting your files from your phone and moving them to your computer. You can then later move the files back into your newly restored/upgraded device. There is some complexity regarding text messages and game save data, which I really don't have any expertise in so watch out for that. The easy stuff like themes and ringtones and photos I can include. Subcategories as follows:

Photos/videos for Windows:
1) Just open My Computer, go to your device, and you'll be able to find the photos/videos there for you to transfer to your computer. If you're setting up as new, you should do this to keep your photos/videos. Without restoring from backup, those photos/videos are gone. They don't sync into iTunes.

Photos/videos for Mac:
1) One word: iPhoto.
2) iPhoto is pretty self explanatory, it just takes your photos from your iDevice and moves them all into it.
3) You could also SSH in and move them to a folder you'd prefer.

Photos/videos via SSH:
1) Open your SSH client, get into your device
2) Navigate to var/mobile/media/DCIM (depending on your device, it'll be 100APPLE, 101APPLE, 102APPLE, etc.)

Winterboard themes via SSH:
1) Open SSH client, get into device
2) Navigate to var/stash/Themes.xxxxxx

Dreamboard themes via SSH:
1) Open SSH client, get into device
2) Navigate to var/mobile/library/Dreamboard

SBSettings themes via SSH:
1) Open SSH client, get into device
2) Navigate to var/mobile/library/SBSettings/Themes

Ringtones/Wallpapers vis SSH:
1) Open SSH client, get into device
2) Navigate to var/stash/Library (for iOS 5, I believe for other iOS it's just all located in var/stash)

Voice memos via SSH:
1) Open SSH client, get into device
2) Navigate to var/mobile/media/Recordings

Other mods: If I am missing anything or you feel that something else would be nice to be included, I encourage you to edit my post and add it at the end of this list. Thank you.

[2k1]

I think that is a very good job Annie always love your work and help you do.

[i.Annie]

Thanks!

[iYeow]

Annie is always good at write ups , too bad I sold my iphone 4 and have no iphone to play around

[i.Annie]

What do you have now? 4S?

[iYeow]

Not even a 4s, i have got a Galaxy Note 5.3 " . Comparing the operating systems, IOS is still better than Gingerbread Android system

[i.Annie]

I played around with the Amazon Kindle Fire, although it's not full on Android...the way people hype it up is just off. I returned it, it isn't comparable to iDevices.

How is that Galaxy though? It looks nice, I've just never been adventurous enough to spend money on an Android when I'm so comfortable with my iPhone.

[infamous12550]

Can I restore from a back up I made on iTunes 2 days Ago & not lose my jailbreak. I am on Verizon 4s running 5.0.1? I lost all my notes somehow & need them back... Thank you.

[blkcadi]

^nope, if you restore you will lose the jailbreak.

[infamous12550]

^nope, if you restore you will lose the jailbreak.

Thanks, but your wrong... Just restored from an earlier back up & everything I need is back, w/ my jaibreak in tact.

[H4CK3R]

Can I restore from a back up I made on iTunes 2 days Ago & not lose my jailbreak. I am on Verizon 4s running 5.0.1? I lost all my notes somehow & need them back... Thank you.

Cross posting is not allowed on ModMyi. Please refrain from doing so.

[blkcadi]

Thanks, but your wrong... Just restored from an earlier back up & everything I need is back, w/ my jaibreak in tact.

Really, this is only the second time in over 4 years of jailbreaking that I have heard of this (and still having a hard time wrapping my brain around it). All Cydia apps/tweaks etc. came back too? Well, good for you

[infamous12550]

Cross posting is not allowed on ModMyi. Please refrain from doing so.

Sorry. You must be bored huh?

[H4CK3R]

Sorry. You must be bored huh?

No I just try to help the moderators and enforce the rules sometimes lol

[Susty]

Sorry. You must be bored huh?

I'd say he's trying to avoid you getting two conflicting pieces of advice & messing up your system like I've seen folk do before... But hey, I could be wrong

The fact that it's spotted though means that folk are on the ball & trying to help... So take it as you will

[H4CK3R]

That was what I was trying to do. I was just pointing out that he violated a forum rule. Nobody like cross posters and spammers, Nor is it tolerated.

[i.Annie]

To properly answer the original question, restoring from a backup does not wipe out any data. You won't lose a jailbreak over it. It's not an actual restore of the entire firmware, it's pulling a backup file and loading it onto the iDevice.

You can safely use the "restore from backup" option in iTunes via right-clicking your device. It is different from the "restore" in the summary page.

[Simon]

Dang Annie. You made this in November and I'm just seeing it? I must be blind lol. Good job (as always).

And nobody thanked the first post? Jeesh. Harder and harder to get appreciated these days huh. I fix that

[Susty]

And nobody thanked the first post? Jeesh. Harder and harder to get appreciated these days huh. I fix that

Says he only just seeing this Well we didn't want you to look bad so thought you should lead by example lol

Fair play i.Annie

[i.Annie]

Haha Simon. Yeah some of your stickies I don't notice for a long time too...no hard feelings here lol.