Does anyone know of any software or method to view the backup files from an Apple iPhone. The client has mad backups of the phone and wants to print off the SMS messages from the backups.
The phone itself is unavailable to due to it being lost/stolen and the messages that are required had already been automatically deleted as the memory has become full.
Any help would be appreciated
Give ABC Amber iPhone Converter a look
http//
what IOS version are you looking at? I have one that handles all versions. The version can be found in the info.plist in the most recent backup directory it should be an XML format. Also are the files in the format (*.mdata *.mdinfo) or "*.mdbackup" or without extension? The toolkit I am releasing soon for demo currently handles all 3 variances and has been tested on all versions.
Try iBackupBot. The free version has nag screens but I believe it is fully featured.
/scott
Thanks everyone. I actually haven't received the backups yet as they are being couriered to me overnight, so will have a look tomorrow.
I do appreciate all your suggestions and help
Xaberx. I would be very interested in your toolkit to purchase as I have had a number of enquiries over the last few months about this very matter.
FYI, just started tinkering with iBackupBot and the trial does appear to have full functionality (just with nag screens). It's $35 to register. It can be downloaded here http//
One thing I noticed about iBackupBot is that in the SMS Messages window it doesn't appear to display all of the messages, but DOES appear to export them all. This was just something I noticed after tinkering for a few minutes so you might want to test it further before using on a live project.
I've also used MobileSyncBrowser which is incredibly cheap as well ($20 - http//mobilesyncbrowser.com) and will pull out the messages. After comparing the two it looks like iBackupBot is the better app - it has the ability to export more and the lay out is much more user friendly - but I've used neither extensively.
I've used mobilesyncbrowser and it's a nice tool but don't forget most of the files that make up iphone backups are sqlite files and can be read by various utilities (I think I used sqlite browser).
Running a signature check on the backup folders will also help you identify other files such as pictures.
Thanks everyone. I actually haven't received the backups yet as they are being couriered to me overnight, so will have a look tomorrow.
I do appreciate all your suggestions and help
Oxygen Forensic Suite is able to load iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad backups created by iTunes as well as DMG images. It may be worth for you to test this feature with free Trial version available from our site.
P.S. OFS also able to decrypt password-protected backups in case the password found by EPPB utility.
You can also try Device Seizure. It even parses out deleted data fragments from the backup files including deleted SMS data.
I have just purchased iBackupBot and I must say that for the cost I am exceptionally impressed with it!