Learn how to move iTunes backup to external hard drive with two methods. Free up space, improve security—step-by-step guide for 2026. No tech skills needed.
If you've ever glanced at your computer's storage and wondered where all the space went, your iTunes backups might be the culprit. Every time you back up your iPhone, iTunes stashes a copy on your internal drive. Over time, especially if you have multiple devices, those backups can eat up tens of gigabytes.
Moving them to an external hard drive solves three problems at once: it frees up space on your computer, keeps your backups safe from local hardware failures, and lets you physically disconnect your data for extra security. This guide walks you through exactly how to perform an iTunes backup to external hard drive, plus a simpler alternative that skips iTunes entirely.
Free up computer storage. iTunes backups are large. Moving them off your internal drive gives that space back.
Better security. An external drive can be disconnected when not in use, protecting your data from network threats.
Prevent data loss. If your computer's hard drive fails, backups stored on it fail too. External drives add redundancy.
This is the official method. It works, but it involves two separate steps: backing up to your computer first, then manually moving the backup file to your external drive.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable. If prompted on your iPhone, tap "Trust This Computer" and enter your passcode. Also, connect your external hard drive to the PC.
Step 2. Open iTunes (or Finder on newer Macs). Click the device icon that appears near the top left.
Step 3. Under the Backups section, select "This Computer." Then click "Back Up Now."
If your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later, iTunes may ask for your passcode before starting. The backup can take several minutes; you'll see progress at the top of the iTunes window.
Step 1. On your external hard drive, create a new folder with a name you'll recognize, something like "iPhone Backup" works.
Step 2. Open File Explorer on your PC. In the address bar, copy and paste this path: %appdata%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. This is the default folder where iTunes stores your iPhone backups.
Step 3. Look for the most recent backup folder (sort by Date Modified to find it). Select it, copy it, and paste it into the folder you created on your external hard drive.
Step 4. Once the copy is complete, you can delete the original backup from your computer to free up space. Right-click the folder in the original location and select Delete.
This method works, but it's a bit clunky. If you ever need to restore from that backup, you'll have to copy it back to the original location first.
If the two-step process feels like more work than it should be, AOMEI FoneBackup offers a more direct approach. It's a Windows tool that backs up your iPhone directly to any drive you choose, including external hard drives without touching iTunes.
Step 1. Download and install AOMEI FoneBackup on your Windows PC. Connect both your iPhone and your external hard drive to the computer.
Step 2. Open AOMEI FoneBackup. In the left sidebar, click Phone Backup. Under Full Backup, click Get Started.
If you only want to back up specific items (such as photos or messages), choose Selective Backup instead.
Step 3. Before starting, click Backup Storage Path and navigate to your external hard drive. Select it as the destination for this backup. (Optional) If you want extra security, enable Backup Encryption and set a password.
Step 4. Click Start Backup. The tool will copy your iPhone data directly to the external drive. When it's done, you're finished—no file hunting, no manual copying.
Moving your iTunes backups to an external hard drive is smart—it frees up space, adds security, and protects against data loss. The standard iTunes method works, but it's a two-step process that involves hunting down files. If you'd rather skip the hassle, AOMEI FoneBackup lets you back up directly to your external drive in one go. Download it here and simplify your backup routine.
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