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To protect sensitive data, such as passwords, Wi-Fi settings, website history, and health data, one can use password protection and encrypt backups in iTunes. In case it is no longer necessary, you can turn off iTunes backup password.

These are the problems that some users face with encrypted backups if they do not have sensitive data to protect:

a password can be forgotten;
hence, there’s a risk in losing data in the backup.

This article provides information on how to remove password encryption and achieve eternal greatness. Select one of the options below:

What is the default password for iTunes backup?

Actually, there isn’t such thing as default iTunes backup password. The first time you encrypt your backup, the combination is saved on your device. From now on, it is regarded as a default backup password. It may randomly assign one of your existing passwords saved in your Keychain. iTunes doesn’t let you know the backup is encrypted until it is time to restore. You can either try to guess what the password is or reset it.

iTunes offers an encryption option to protect backups of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch stored on your computer. Encrypted backups can include information that unencrypted backups don’t:

saved passwords;
Wi-Fi settings;
website history;
call history.

💡 If you want to validate your backup and check the backup password upon creation, use CopyTrans Shelbee.

iTunes backup encryption password

Turn it off without iTunes

You can easily turn off iPhone encryption without iTunes using CopyTrans Shelbee – iPhone backup software for your Windows PC. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Download and install CopyTrans Shelbee.
    Download CopyTrans Shelbee
  2. If you need help installing the program, refer to the installation guide.
  3. Navigate to Backup > Full backup > Encryption. When selecting an option to back up your iPhone, choose encryption tab to encrypt your device
  4. Now click the Remove tab, enter the current password, click Remove and begin backing your phone up by clicking Start.
    Remove encryption password for an iPhone backup
    NOTE: the password will be removed after the backup begins.

Why people choose CopyTrans Shelbee:

🔹 Choose any folder to store your backup, as well as change the default backup folder set by iTunes.;

🔹 Validate integrity of the backup file after each backup*;

🔹 Add password protection at any time to encrypt your backup;

🔹 Choose between a full Backup or only Latest changes backup;

🔹 Set up reminders when it’s time to do a backup;

🔹 Restore selected data;

🔹 Restore apps to any iOS device with ease even if they have been removed from the App Store after **;

🔹 Restore data from a corrupted iTunes backup.

Get a free test version

* Unlike iTunes, CopyTrans Shelbee validates integrity of each backup after it is done. Let’s say you have done 10 consecutive backups over a period of time, attempt #3 was corrupted in the process, but you were never made aware of this. That means that the rest of them were done in vain. Restore attempt will give you an error message. We make sure this does not happen.
** Provided you made a backup with CopyTrans Shelbee v2.1 and above before they were removed from the App Store.


If you don’t like your experience with iTunes, there is always an alternative. Check out CopyTrans programs: they can do as much as iTunes, and even more.

CopyTrans Photo interface

Transfer iPhone photos to the PC and back

  • Transfer photos and videos from iPhone to PC
  • Move photos and videos from PC to iPhone
  • Create and edit iPad albums
  • Organize photos and preserve album structure
  • Keep EXIF data intact
  • JPG, HEIC, MOV, Live photos
Download and try for free!

Manage iPhone contacts, messages, notes, and calendars on your PC

  • Transfer contacts from one iPhone to another
  • Back up your messages to a PC
  • Manage your iPhone and iCloud calendars
  • Save your iPhone notes to the computer
Download and try for free!
CopyTrans Contacts interface
CopyTrans Shelbee interface

Back up your iPhone to the PC without iTunes

  • Back up and restore iPhone without iTunes
  • Restore iPhone data selectively
  • Restore WhatsApp without iCloud
  • Transfer iOS apps to new iPhone
Download and try for free!

Can t remember encrypted iPhone backup password

Turn it off using iTunes

Below we will show you how to remove password encryption in iTunes:

  1. First, open iTunes and connect your iOS device.
  2. ❗ Please refer to the guide on how to avoid Automatic synchronization of your iDevice with iTunes.

  3. From the Summary tab of your iDevice settings in iTunes, uncheck the Encrypt iPhone backup option. Encrypt iPhone backup in iTunes
  4. When prompted, enter the encryption password and click OK. enter-backup-password
  5. iTunes will now create another backup of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch which will not be encrypted. Backup in process
  6. This is how to turn off password encryption in iTunes!

💡 If you forgot your backup password, please refer to the article I forgot my iPhone backup password.

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By krasimir

Krasimir is an avid marketing aficionado and a tech-support specialist in charge of the English-speaking market. He grew up in Bulgaria and on the island of Mauritius where he became passionate about windsurfing and photography.