Well, if you're unable to keep up with a password in order to restore a backup, I'm not sure you should be using a SmartPhone or a computer. The encrypted backup through iTunes is an excellent tool and the only way to fully backup and restore all the specific apps on your device in addition to passwords and other settings.
I Googled this and the Apple Support article seems to confirm that without the encrypted backup password, you can't start over with another backup. Here's an Apple Support article on Troubleshooting Encrypted Backups but I didn't find any help with their troubleshooting: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203790 If you have no need of the encrypted backup and simply want to start fresh, I found the following recommendation which someone else has already suggested: 1. Open iTunes preferences from the Edit Menu. Pressing ctrl + the comma key is the shortcut key to do this. 2. Click the Devices tab which on my version of iTunes is the tab before Advanced in the dialog box which opens. Here you will find the backups listed and you should be able to tab until you hear Device backups which means you're in the list of backups on the computer. Make sure you mark them all by holding down the shift key while you arrow through the list. 3. Delete them by clicking the Delete Backup button below the pane. Alt + b is the shortcut to initiate the delete. Before you do this, make sure you have no need of these backups which seems pretty obvious as you've lost their password. 4. Now you can start over. The above came from this site: http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/64875/i-forgot-my-encrypt-local-bac kup-password-how-can-i-start-over I edited the post to include shortcut keys and to make it specific to your situation. I don't know if this will work or not but it seems like the only option that's available and with little if any cost other than the time it takes to try it. Please let us know if it works. Alan Lemly -----Original Message----- From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Arrigo Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 4:20 PM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: I forgot my encrypted backup password In order to remove the encription on a backup, you will need the password. This kind of thing is why, in general, using encription causes more problems than it solves, it's usually not worth it. Original message: > I just tried this and was unable to get it to work. When I tried to > uncheck encrypted backup I was prompted to enter my password. I am > running Itunes 12.0.1.26 and the latest IOS 8. > From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On > Behalf Of Neal Ewers > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 1:28 PM > To: viphone@googlegroups.com > Subject: RE: I forgot my encrypted backup password > Charles, thanks for this, but it does raise two questions. > One. Is the old password still active? It doesn't seem that it is > asking you to change it, just adding another one. > Two. If number one is true, which password will it want when you try to > restore from that backup? I assume it will act on the last one you > created, but it would be too bad if this is not true and it still wants > the original one. > Neal > From: viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com>] On > Behalf Of Charles Rivard > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 12:29 PM > To: viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > Subject: Re: I forgot my encrypted backup password > Out of curiosity, seeing as I will be getting an iPhone 6 soon, I tried > your second suggestion with my iPhone 5 connected to the PC. Your idea > works like a charm. I am using iTunes 12.1.3, and the instructions have > not changed. After doing the unincrypted backup, when you recheck the > box to encrypt, it asks you for a password. Enter it, and tab once. You > are asked to confirm the password, which you do. Then tab to the OK > button, and the backing up process begins. > --- > Be positive! When it comes to being defeated, if you think you're > finished, you! really! are! finished! > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Alan Lemly <mailto:wale...@gmail.com> > To: viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 11:03 AM > Subject: RE: I forgot my encrypted backup password > rhs, > The last item in the Backup section of the iTunes Summary tab when your > device has focus is a Change Password button. Ah, I just executed it > and see that it first asks for the old password so that is no good. > just above the Change Password button is a tickbox labeled Encrypt > iPhone backup. I would recommend that you uncheck this box and do an > unencrypted backup an then go back and check the encrypted backup box > to do a new encrypted backup where I expect it will prompt you for a > new password. > I'm using iTunes for Windows version 11.4.x so if you have iTunes 12, > the instructions might differ. > Good luck. > Alan Lemly > -----Original Message----- > From: viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com>] On > Behalf Of r...@q.com <mailto:r...@q.com> > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 10:25 AM > To: viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> > Subject: I forgot my encrypted backup password > Hi, > I cannot remember the password I set when I set up to have encrypted > backups made to my computer. I've tried the ideas I can think of for > what my password might have been and none worked. Fortunately, I do not > need to restore anything to my phone. However, I want to fix the > problem before it becomes an emergency. > Is there a way I can start over with encrypted backups with a new password? > Thanks > -- > The following information is important for all members of the viphone > list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. 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