Where iMazing stores your backups and how to move them
iMazing, the iOS backup tool, stores your iPhone and iPad backups in a default folder on your computer. You can change that location to a different folder, a second hard drive, or a network storage device — which is useful if your main drive is running out of space or you want backups on a separate physical device for safety.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you use iMazing on Mac or Windows, but both follow the same principle: you tell the program where to look for backups, and it remembers that location for all future backups.
Key Takeaways
- iMazing's default backup location is a folder buried in your user library; you do not have to use it.
- On Mac, you change the backup location through iMazing Preferences under the Backups tab.
- On Windows, the setting is in iMazing Settings under the Backup Location section.
- You can move existing backups to the new location manually, or let iMazing create new backups there going forward.
- External drives and network storage work as backup locations, but the drive must stay connected or accessible when iMazing runs.
Changing backup location on Mac
Open iMazing and go to the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click iMazing, then select Preferences. A window will open with several tabs across the top — click the Backups tab.
You will see a field labeled Backup Location with a folder path displayed. Click the folder icon next to it to open a file browser. Navigate to the folder where you want backups stored — this can be anywhere on your Mac, on an external drive, or on a network drive your Mac can see. Select the folder and click Choose. iMazing will confirm the new location and save it automatically.
The next time you create a backup, iMazing will save it to this new location. Existing backups in the old location will stay there unless you move them yourself.
Changing backup location on Windows
Open iMazing and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Select Settings. In the Settings window, look for the section labeled Backup Location on the left side.
Click the folder icon or the Browse button next to the current path. A file browser will open. Navigate to the folder where you want backups stored and click Select Folder. Windows will confirm the selection, and iMazing will save the new location.
Like on Mac, future backups will go to this new location, and old backups remain in their original folder until you move them.
Moving existing backups to the new location
If you have backups in the old location and want to move them to the new one, you can do this manually using your computer's file manager. On Mac, open Finder and navigate to Users > [Your Username] > Library > process Support > iMazing > Backups. On Windows, the default location is usually C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\iMazing\Backups.
Select the backup folders you want to move (they are usually named with your device name and a date), cut or copy them, and paste them into your new backup location. Do not move backups while iMazing is running — close the program first to avoid conflicts.
After moving the files, you can delete the old folder if it is empty. The next time you open iMazing, it will recognize the backups in their new location.
Using an external drive or network storage
External hard drives and network-attached storage (NAS) devices work as backup locations, but with one important limitation: the drive must be connected and accessible every time iMazing runs a backup. If you unplug an external drive or your network connection drops, iMazing cannot complete the backup.
For external drives, plug the drive into your computer, wait for it to appear on your desktop or in File Explorer, then follow the steps above to set it as your backup location. For network storage, make sure your computer is connected to the network and the storage device is visible in Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) before you select it in iMazing.
External drives offer better physical separation from your computer — if your computer fails, your backups survive. Network storage is convenient if multiple people or devices need to back up to the same place, but it depends on your network staying stable.
What happens to backups when you change the location
Changing the backup location in iMazing does not automatically move or delete old backups. They stay in the original folder until you move or delete them yourself. This is intentional — it prevents accidental loss if you change the setting by mistake.
If you want a clean start with only new backups in the new location, you can leave the old backups where they are or delete them after confirming the new backups are working. If you want to keep old backups for reference, move them to the new location as described above.
Troubleshooting backup location changes
If iMazing does not seem to recognize the new location, make sure the folder exists and your user account has permission to write files to it. On Mac, you may need to grant iMazing permission in System Preferences > Security & Privacy. On Windows, right-click the folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab, and confirm your user account has Full Control.
If you set the backup location to an external drive or network storage and iMazing cannot find it, check that the drive is connected or the network is accessible before opening iMazing. If the drive or network is unavailable, iMazing will either use the previous location or prompt you to reconnect.
If you see an error message about insufficient space, the destination folder may be on a drive that is full. Check how much free space is available on the target drive — a typical iOS backup can range from a few gigabytes to over 100 GB depending on your device and what is stored on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive as a backup location?
Technically you can point iMazing to a folder inside Dropbox or Google Drive, but it is not recommended. Cloud sync services can interfere with large backup files, causing corruption or sync conflicts. External hard drives or network storage are safer choices for backups you want to keep reliable.
What if I want backups on two different drives at the same time?
iMazing only supports one active backup location at a time. To back up to multiple places, you can manually copy completed backups from one location to another, or you can create a backup, then change the location and create another backup of the same device. Some users set up a scheduled task or script to copy backups to a second location automatically.
Do I need to re-pair my iPhone or iPad after changing the backup location?
No. Changing the backup location in iMazing does not affect your device connection or pairing. Your iPhone or iPad will work normally, and the next backup will straightforward go to the new folder.
Will old backups still work if I move them to a new location?
Yes, as long as you move the entire backup folder and do not rename it. iMazing identifies backups by their folder structure and contents. If you manually edit or rename files inside a backup folder, it may become unreadable.
What happens if the external drive disconnects during a backup?
The backup will fail, and iMazing will show an error message. You will need to reconnect the drive and try the backup again. This is why external drives are better for scheduled backups you can monitor, rather than automatic backups that run unattended.