Disable iOS backup encryption

on

iOS 11

Removing an unwanted backup encryption setting has become easier under iOS 11:

If you can’t remember the password for your encrypted backup

You can’t restore an encrypted backup without its password. With iOS 11 or later, you can make a new encrypted backup of your device by resetting the password. Here’s what to do:
  1. On your iOS device, go to Settings > General > Reset.
  2. Tap Reset All Settings and enter your iOS passcode.
  3. Follow the steps to reset your settings. This won't affect your user data or passwords, but it will reset settings like display brightness, Home screen layout, and wallpaper. It also removes your encrypted backup password.
  4. Connect your device to iTunes again and create a new encrypted backup.
You won't be able to use previous encrypted backups, but you can back up your current data using iTunes and setting a new backup password.
If you have a device with iOS 10 or earlier, you can't reset the password. In this case, try the following:
  • If someone else set up your device, ask them for the password.
  • Use an iCloud backup instead of iTunes. If you don't have an iCloud backup, you can make one.
  • Try using an older iTunes backup.


iOS 10 and earlier

The only way to use an encrypted backup, or turn off backup encryption if currently enabled, is with the password that was entered when it was set up. The setting is stored on the device itself, so persists even if you delete your current backup set or switch to a new computer. If you have forgotten the password consider that it might be any computer, Apple ID, Wi-Fi password or device PIN that you've used in the past, working from the assumption that you might have reused a common password that you were using when you first activated encryption. See About encrypted backups in iTunes - Apple Support for details.

If you want to turn off encryption going forward you can either erase and set up as a new device, or backup the current state of the device to iCloud, then subsequently restore from it. Non-iTunes media will need reloading from your computer once the restore is complete. See How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support for details. Obviously this approach is only helpful if your device is currently functioning correctly. If you have content on your device that isn't in your library see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device. It is also a good idea to copy everything out of the camera roll and, where possible, copy off data held in File Sharing or save important projects to iCloud Drive so that if you are unable to restore the backup you have at least minimized any data loss.

If you are still running iOS 10, your device supports iOS 11, and you don't mind losing access to any 32-bit apps, then upgrading to iOS 11 and using the first method is an easier course of action.

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