Turn off iTunes automatic backup when syncing an iPad or iPhone

iTunes is really a software that annoys me in the Apple universe… it is for me one of its big weak links. That is why I explained to you how sync your music from the MusicBee app to your iPhone. This method of synchronizing MusicBee's library with that of your iOS device, however, requires using iTunes as a transfer gateway.

And one of the annoying things aboutiTunes when syncing with your iPhone or iPad is that it systematically performs a backup of all the data on your device… and with capacities now reaching 512GB, the backup part can be really long. No option or setting in iTunes allows you to deactivate this automatic backup… and yet, there is a relatively simple solution to synchronize an iPhone or iPad on iTunes by deactivating the automatic backup. On the other hand, you will have to get your hands dirty a little… but you will see, nothing too complicated.

How to Sync iPhone or iPad Without Backup on Windows

If you are on Windows, you will be able to disable iTunes backup by following the steps below:

1. Close iTunes
2. Press Windows key + R to launch the “Run” window
3. In the "Run" window, type the following code and press "Enter". The code is different depending on your version of iTunes:

32 bit version

"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 1

64 bit version

"%ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 1

Microsoft Store version of iTunes

iTunes.exe /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 1

Now, when you go to open iTunes, you will notice that the "Backup Now" button on the Summary screen corresponding to your iPad or iPhone will remain grayed out. So if you start a sync, the backup step will be skipped!

If you want to reactivate the backup, repeat steps 1 through 3, replacing the “1” with a “0” in the code from the last step.

Disable Backup While Syncing on MacOS

If you are on an older version of macOS (before Catalina) and still using iTunes, you will be able to disable iTunes backup by following the steps below:

1. Close iTunes
2. Launch the application MacOS Terminal
3. In the terminal, type or paste the following code and press “Enter”:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true

Now, when you go to open iTunes, you will notice that the "Back Up Now" button on the Summary screen corresponding to your iPad or iPhone will remain grayed out.

To re-enable backups on MacOS, repeat steps 1-3, replacing the code in step 3 with this:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false

Of course, we must not forget that Backing up your device through iTunes is an important process in case of breakdown, theft or crash. So don't hesitate to reactivate it from time to time!

Article updated on September 15, 2025 by Byothe