Need to extract data from pieces of an iTunes backup

[RLWake]

Moderators- please move to correct section if this is not in the correct place. Thanks.

So I have a ~9 month old backup of an iPhone 11 on my Macbook thru iTunes. Several things happened and this backup got deleted but was recovered. I know the backup is incomplete or maybe a bit corrupted, but I really need to get whatever data may remain inside that backup (photos, notes,etc). Right now the folder is sitting in the correct backups directory (Library>Application Support>MobileSync>Backups) for iTunes. However, iTunes does not recognize this backup being there, nor do 2 third party programs I tried. Manually going through the folder reveals a bunch of files of varying size that are named long strings of numbers and letters.

If someone can help me extract whatever data may be remaining in there, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

It does sound like the backup may be corrupted. The default is to create encrypted backups, and if that backup is, it is impossible to extract files from it due to Apple's stringent privacy and security measures. In addition, the backup files are stored in a proprietary file structure, which is why you see the long filenames.

Do you happen to have a Time Machine backup? You may be able to restore the iPhone backup from there.

C