# How to open an Apple Devices or iTunes backup on Windows

## Quick answer

In TextPort:

1. Click **Backups** at the top.
2. Click the backup under **Made by Apple Devices or iTunes**.

**Messages** opens with that backup. You do not need the iPhone. The first time you open TextPort, click **Read that backup instead**, then the backup.

## What you need

- TextPort for Windows
- A backup that Apple Devices or iTunes made on this PC, without encryption

## Steps

### Backups page

1. Click **Backups**

   It is at the top of TextPort. The backups show under **Made by Apple Devices or iTunes**.

2. Click the backup

   It shows the iPhone's name and the date. **Messages** opens.

### First time

1. Click **Read that backup instead**

   It is at the bottom of **Get your iPhone messages on this PC**. **Made by Apple Devices or iTunes** shows.

   Tip: You see this only when TextPort finds such a backup on this PC.

2. Click the backup

   It shows the iPhone's name and the date. **Messages** opens.

### On Messages

1. Click the backup name

   It is at the bottom of the conversation list. A list of backups opens.

   Tip: You can also press **Ctrl+O**.

2. Click the backup

   It is under **Made by Apple Devices or iTunes**. Its conversations open.

## Done

The backup is open in TextPort. Click a conversation to read it or export it.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Encrypted, can’t be opened** | This backup was made with encryption on. TextPort can't read it. [Back up the iPhone with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/back-up-your-iphone-to-your-pc.md) instead. |
| There is no **Made by Apple Devices or iTunes** list. | TextPort found no such backup on this PC. If the backup is on another computer, copy its folder to this PC. See the question below for where it goes. |
| **No conversations in this backup** | This backup has no messages. [Back up your iPhone with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/back-up-your-iphone-to-your-pc.md). |
| **Couldn’t open this backup** | The screen says why. Click **Try again**, or click **Choose another backup**. |
| The newest messages are missing. | The backup stops at the date it was made. To get newer messages, [back up your iPhone with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/back-up-your-iphone-to-your-pc.md). |
| None of these match. | Email [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day. |

## Questions

### Where does TextPort look for these backups?

In `%APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup` and `%USERPROFILE%\Apple\MobileSync\Backup`.

### Does TextPort change the backup?

No. TextPort only reads these backups.

### Do I need my iPhone or its passcode?

No. The backup is already on your PC.

### Can I export the messages?

Yes. Open a conversation and click **Export**.

### Can I delete this backup in TextPort?

No. Its menu has **Open**, **Export all conversations…** and **Show in folder**. Apple Devices or iTunes manages the backup.

## Next guides

- [How to back up your iPhone to your PC with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/back-up-your-iphone-to-your-pc.md): You will have a backup of your iPhone on your PC, and your messages open in TextPort.
- [How to find your iPhone backups on your PC](https://textport.com/guides/find-your-iphone-backups-on-your-pc.md): You will see the folder of an iPhone backup in File Explorer.
- [How to export a conversation to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-conversation-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-windows.md): You will get a file of one conversation on your PC, as a PDF, a spreadsheet, or plain text.

TextPort guide for Windows. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/open-a-backup-made-by-apple-devices-or-itunes-on-windows