The lockdown folder in iTunes is used to store sensitive data like backups, synced data from iOS devices, and more. Sometimes you may want to reset this folder to clear out old data or troubleshoot issues. Here are the steps to completely reset the iTunes lockdown folder on Windows:
Find the Lockdown Folder Location
The iTunes lockdown folder is usually located here:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
The AppData folder is hidden by default, so you’ll need to unhide hidden files and folders first. To do this:
- Open File Explorer Options by right-clicking This PC and selecting Properties.
- Click the View tab and check “Show hidden files, folders, and drives.”
- Click OK to save the changes.
Now you can navigate to the lockdown folder location mentioned above.
Delete the Lockdown Folder
To completely reset the iTunes lockdown folder, simply delete it. To delete the folder:
- Close iTunes if it is open.
- Navigate to the lockdown folder location above.
- Select the entire MobileSync folder and delete it.
This will delete the entire lockdown folder containing all your iOS device backups, synced data, and other information.
Restart Your Computer
After deleting the MobileSync folder, restart your computer. This clears out any temporary files and ensures iTunes creates a fresh lockdown folder.
Once your computer restarts, launch iTunes. iTunes will automatically recreate the MobileSync folder with a new blank lockdown folder. You can now connect your iOS devices to iTunes and recreate backups or sync data if needed.
Alternative: Delete Specific Backup Data
If you don’t want to delete the entire lockdown folder, you can just delete the backup data for a specific device:
- Navigate to the MobileSync\Backup folder.
- Delete the folder with your device name and unique identifier.
This will remove the backups for just that one device while keeping other data intact.
Troubleshoot Lockdown Folder Issues
Resetting the lockdown folder can help fix various issues like:
- Corrupted or stalled backups
- Not being able to restore or sync devices
- Inaccurate storage usage reports
- General sluggish behavior in iTunes
A brand new lockdown folder ensures none of the old problematic data persists. Just be sure to backup your iOS device data through iCloud before deleting the lockdown folder.
Conclusion
The iTunes lockdown folder contains important backup data, so reset it with caution. Make sure data is backed up elsewhere first. Simply deleting the MobileSync folder entirely and restarting your computer will completely reset the lockdown. Alternatively, delete only problematic device folders to resolve specific issues while preserving other data.
